Overview & Reviews

For more than 100 years now, Ford Motor Company has been selling mass-produced automobiles in the United States and around the globe. Known as one of the Big Three American manufacturers, Ford has attracted millions of loyal customers with a wide range of vehicles that offer considerable value. The automaker's trucks and SUVs have been especially popular. For decades, Ford's F-Series truck has been the best-selling vehicle in America.

The company was founded by Henry Ford in 1903. Ford dreamed of building a car for the masses, and that's precisely what he did, most notably with the immortal Model T of 1908-'27. The latter was bought by 16.5 million Americans during its 20-year lifespan and was affordable enough for Ford's own factory workers to purchase. Ford's early years were also distinguished by its introduction of the moving assembly line. It was the first to utilize this more cost-effective method of production, and its innovation became a mainstay of the manufacturing process.

Ford expanded into the luxury-car market with its purchase of Lincoln Motor Company in 1925. Over the next few years, the company broadened its focus even further by creating the Mercury division to produce mid-priced cars. By the late '30s, Ford had unveiled the stylish Lincoln Zephyr, introduced a low-priced V8 engine and built more than 25 million vehicles.

The 1950s saw the introduction of the legendary Thunderbird. Offering sleek styling and spirited performance wedded to available luxury features like power windows and a signal-seeking radio, the car was a huge hit. Another model of that decade, the Edsel, met with a somewhat less enthusiastic reception. In the wake of abysmal sales, the Edsel was discontinued just a few months into its third model year.

Ford regained its footing in the early 1960s with the introduction of the compact Falcon, a model that was warmly received by the public. By the middle of the decade the automaker had given enthusiasts something to cheer about with the launch of the sporty Mustang, a car that went on to become one of the biggest sellers of its day. Buyers adored the Mustang's low price, available powerful V8 engines and sporty styling. The Mustang even created a brand-new vehicle category: the pony car.

By the 1970s, Ford, like other domestic automakers, was starting to suffer the effects of changing consumer tastes and new government regulations. Many of its cars became shadows of their former selves. But the seeds of rebirth were planted in this decade. In 1979, the company acquired a stake in Mazda; this move would later aid Ford significantly in co-development projects. The company also emerged with a new mindset of global competitiveness.

By the mid-to-late '80s, Ford was showing new strength with its popular Escort and Taurus models while further expanding its empire with the purchase of the Aston Martin and Jaguar brands. Meanwhile, its full-size LTD sedan (later renamed the Crown Victoria) remained a staple of taxi companies and police forces throughout America.

Ford rode a wave of popularity in the 1990s, thanks in part to the huge success of its Explorer midsize SUV. The truck played a huge role in ushering in the era of the SUV. In 1999, Ford expanded its family yet again with the purchase of Volvo's car division, and, in 2000, it acquired Land Rover. For awhile, there was talk of Ford even taking General Motors' spot as the No. 1 automaker in the world.

But the new millennium initially saw a downturn for Ford. Increased competition, a continuing operating loss for Jaguar, legacy costs and a reliance on SUVs for profit took their toll. To compensate, the company sold Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo and introduced a wave of successful new products. Models like the F-150, Fusion, Fiesta, Focus, Flex and Mustang have allowed Ford to regain its health and standing as a very competitive manufacturer.

User Reviews:

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  Never again - 2007 Ford Focus
  By SC - May 6 - 2:24 pm

  On the good side, this car is still running at 190,000 mi., but not without a ton of repairs. Parts are expensive. Most costly repairs so far was a bad steering column and air bag. Also noticed some design issues that make me wonder if the engineers intentionally made it difficult to work on. I used to be a believer in Ford, but not any more.

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  GM AGAIN - 1995 Ford Windstar
  By GM AGAIN - May 6 - 2:00 am

  First and last FORD"Found On Road Dead" term has come true. Constant engine problems, mostly head gaskets, on second engine and second rebuild. In shop now again for lack of power. Transmission rebuilt at 65,000, going bad again, AC worked on several times...I get hot about this marvel from FORD. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE because the dealer / FORD does not want to fix it, they try to get me to buy another...no thanks, they dont get it!

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  Lemon Aide - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By dukee - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Transmission shifts hard into gear. Has been replaced once by dealer,

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  "Breaking Wind"-star - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By Thirty Something - May 1 - 2:00 am

  Today is emancipation day from my Windstar - truely an occasion for celebration! Never have I had the displeasure of owning a vehicle with more recalls, problems and strange quirks than this poor van. After reading the other reviews, I realized we would probably be considered one of the fortunate ones since our first major money repair didnt occur until @ 35,000 miles. Since then, Its been downhill. Believe me, I will shed no tears as I hand the dealer the keys once and for all to this "mystery machine".

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  Imsorry - 2001 Ford Windstar
  By Joe consumer - May 1 - 2:00 am

  The dealership replaced exhaust sensors rear hatch switches, engine sensors, reah hatch plungers, door open switches, transmission ( lost reverse & overdrive)all 4 tires went bad (broken belts)with in 2 weeks. Brake light comes on when stopping or when hand brake is released but they can not fix. Noisey ride (wind noise)

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  Dont by a Windstar - 2001 Ford Windstar
  By Most Unhappy - April 29 - 2:00 am

  Replaced bad sensors, bearings, switches, body side panels, transmission, window motor

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  THIS CAR IS JUNK - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By CINDI - April 27 - 10:00 am

  FROM THE DATE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE I HAVE SPENT MORE TIME IN RENTAL CARS THEN MAY OWN IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP THAT OFTEN I PURCHASED IT AT ABOUT 34000 MILES NOW IT HAS 39000 AND THE PIECE OF JUNK JUST KEEPS GETTING WORSE AND THE DEALER THATS A DIFFERANT STORY I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM VICTORY FORD IN EPHARTA

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  I love Fords! (NOT!) - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By MEG - April 25 - 2:00 am

  Hows this for FORD quality? Battery shorts out @ 1000 miles- Slider doors creak in wet weather. Dealer fix is to lube weather strip. This has been done 6 times now! CD/Radio died Liftgate latch broke at 2000 miles Transmission replaced at 18K miles Power steering pump, and rack & pinion replaced @ 22K miles. (Thankfully the vehicle was still under warranty) The depreciation on the vehicle is a killer. In 3 years, the car is now only worth $10K (with only 27K miles) This is my first and last Ford.

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  Contour - 1998 Ford Contour
  By Spisak - April 22 - 2:00 am

  Leaks oil, reacalls, recalls, recalls lights come on. Ford should be ashamed

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  2007 Ford 500 - 2007 Ford Five Hundred
  By rhowar1 - April 19 - 2:10 am

  We got our 2007 Ford 500 3 yrs ago. The tranny went out 1000 miles from home. The seat heaters quit working, the rubber moulding is coming off, the engine control module is out, the battery wont hold a charge, the transmission pan needed replaced, the reverse sensors are out and the trunk wont open most of the time. Fremont Motors in Riverton, Wyoming sure saw me coming. They knew the car was a heap, but they spit and polished it until I got it off the lot. I wish I still had my 1967 Galaxy. It was a much better car. Why cant Ford make them like that anymore?