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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  Just say No - 1995 Ford Windstar
  By iounothing - April 2 - 2:00 am

  I should have known Id be in for trouble when I went to the Ford dealership and they were bragging that they had the busiest service dept. in town. Despite needing repairs throughout each year, it always needed several repairs to pass inspection - numerous tie rods, brakes replaced several times, "check engine" light comes and stays on every time it is driven over 50 miles on the highway due to something else giving way. Now when I go to the dealership for yet another repair, the sales staff look desperate for a sale.

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  Bad Drive train - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By Samson - March 31 - 2:00 am

  Purchased the Eddie Bauer 99 with all trimings. At 8000 miles the Transmission exploded and had to be replaced. . The SOC engine had many repairs on the timing belts and finally they pulled the engine to do one. Still noisy timing belts when cold. Ford is useless. Last week I had the 60,000 mile $400 service done. Today they had to replace front wheel bearing and many antilock brake parts.

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  Car with many problems - 1995 Ford Contour
  By Carfreak189 - March 28 - 2:00 am

  I owned it from March 1995-March2000. It was terribole computer went out, seats squeked, wires broke, gas ran out. Car broke down, at the dealer every month recalls. Dont by this junk. Its a good thing Ford stopped this car.

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  Broke 9 months later!!! - 2000 Ford Escort
  By eadllnean - March 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought my ZX2 with 28,000 mls on it. After 10,000 mls my transmissions broke and I had to replace it. This was 2,000 miles after my warranty expired! Two days after I picked up my car with the new transmission I had to take it back to the dealer for further transmission repairs!! I will never buy another Ford again!!!

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  electical nightmare - 1995 Ford Contour
  By ranger - March 26 - 2:00 am

  If you love a permanent "check-engine" light, this is the car for you. The entire wiring harness was replaced on a recall and after six months the check- engine light came back but only when you went 62 to 64 mph. Now it is once again on forever. Other problems brakes, ABS lights, grinding sound in right rear wheel area, motor mounts, engine self-revs at idle, plastic parts break, vibrates like crazy. Quality was Job 297.

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  Foreign from now on - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By Norskie4 - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Have never owned a vehicle that wore down faster. Cheap build quality compared to foreign cars, seats looked worn after 6 mos, sheetmetal is flimsy and dents extremely easily. At 48k, had to replace cracked manifold, paint is peeling just like on the old GM cars, Ford just informs me it is out of warranty, and has no remedy..

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  Dont Buy a Contour!!! - 2000 Ford Contour
  By Leo888 - March 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 2000 ford contour with about 25,000 miles on it. It is in the shop about once a month for a number of problems, things inside the car such as the dashboard and the windows now rattle, and above the speed of 65 I hear an annoying whisteling noise. My brother also owns one and reports the same problem with a little variation in the small annoying things. I am dumping money into this car.

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  FirstANDLast - 2000 Ford Expedition
  By 1FamilyMan - March 25 - 2:00 am

  This was the first Ford product Ive ever purchased. The perverbial crap hit the fan soon after leaving the dealer. I was told and have read how Ford engineers had a winner with the Expedition. Great pachage I admit. But, when your wife and kids are stuck in a broken down vehicle...blood pressure boils! Its the call you didnt expect after buying a "quality" vehicle for the wife and family. Yes, we were warned of the safety trips...the problem was more severe. After 1 week, the damn truck had to be towed!!!! To the dealer it went for a new alternator. Covered by warranty, but not excusable for the money spent. You want to buy a Ford...be warned!

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  Explorer of the Service Dept - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By Jetfan16 - March 21 - 2:00 am

  Leased a 2000 XLS after our 6 week old mustang caught on fire. The truck was nice looking at the time & we wanted a truck so we went for it. Update- we just returned the truck 4 months early after numerous problems: 1. transmission shot after 15,000 miles 2. check engine light on after two service jobs 3. gages didnt work until truck was on for 15-20 mins 4. averaged 10-12 miles to the gallon with the small V6 (god only knows how the V-8 is) Funny thing is ford admitted that the quality of Explorer wasnt good until 2002 Model. Enough said- Got a Chrysler Minivan

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  Dont bother with the 2004 Ranger - 2004 Ford Ranger
  By Mark Steven - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Since 92, I have owned 3 ranger 4x4s. A 92,98 and 2004. I wish I had my 98 back. I had 2drs and bought a 4 dr, thinking my 5 yr old daughter would like it better, WRONG! Its noisy, on the highway and the engine makes more noise than the 98 4.0/v6. I see short cuts, like mud flaps, no skirting in wheel wells, high back buckets that are comfortable but lots of blind spots. I rate the 04 at a 2 because I think Ford was more interested in the F-150 and caturing the market with that model, thus leaving the best selling small p/u out of the picture for 2004.