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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  Dont buy this year - 2001 Ford Focus
  By Heather - December 20 - 9:02 pm

  Since I got this car I have had to replace a fuel pump (recall but still stunk), and am now having to mess with my transmission. I dont know if it is just my car or all 2001 Focuses, but I hate it.

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  Hasbro makes better cars. - 2000 Ford Focus
  By DDB365 - December 20 - 2:35 am

  This was my first new car and it was a nightmare. Within the first three weeks it sound like my left rear wheel was about to fall off, my hazard lights kept blinking nonstop, my brakes kept sqeaking really loud all the time, the ignition cylinder broke, and I had to pay $100 for a pair of new keys because they have a stupid chip in them. My lumbar seat lever broke on both sides, my rear seat belts didnt work, my sun visor screws came out, my rear tail light cover melted because the light bulb over heated. These cars have really cheap parts. Same on Ford you would think after all of these years of experience Ford has they would have made a better product.

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  Not that impressed - 2000 Ford Focus
  By save yourself - December 20 - 2:00 am

  Obviously, this car is fairly new. But heres a few problems that Im currently having: the break lights are stuck on; it randomly decelerates when Im driving; it at times decides it doesnt want to go fast and takes (and im being quite literal here) 2 minutes to accelerate 20 miles per hour; it stalls when I try to merge; it stalled 8 times in 40 minutes tonight; it doesnt start in the rain. The cars less than 4 years old. Dont buy this car.

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  reliability not good, breaks down - 2001 Ford Excursion
  By toni - December 18 - 6:54 pm

  I bought this vehicle used, with 63,000 miles on it. So far the engine blew, the torque converter was causing engine fires and the brakes have been redone 4 times because nobody can get them done right, the springs are bad on one side. Seems to me that this truck is holding up worse than my 97 Dodge Caravan that had 160,000 miles on it or my 94 Suburban with 240,000 miles on it!

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  Good Truck - 1997 Ford Ranger
  By Ken - December 14 - 12:51 pm

  I purchased my 1997 Ranger new. I bought a compact 4 cylinder standard transmission truck I like. Its not a power, gas guzzling demon, like some of the V8 and V6 trucks I looked at. This truck has been reliable over the years and only had small problems. I had to replace the brakes, tires, and one oil seal in the rear axle. This Ranger rides like a truck on bumpy country roads, but on the interstate its not bad. Still I know Im driving a truck. The only complaint Ive got is this: steep hills require downshifts, but its only a 4 cylinder engine. Ill keep the Ranger till I have to junk it

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  New Purchase - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By yesem - December 14 - 2:00 am

  It is a lot of drive a convertible specially living in southern California. Overall performance is average, noisier than expected, heavier on gas than the manufacturer claims. Clean interior design though with lower quality materials. Hand break plastic cover is already thorn after 4 weeks. If you like convertible as a fun to drive second car and dont want to spend an arm and leg for this is a good alternative, but as a first car I would pause, think carefully before making the commitment.

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  A True Truck - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By Asd - December 14 - 2:00 am

  My Mom got a Lxus GX470 and my grandparents got a Lexus RX330 after driving them my car was very rough driving. They had SUV Capibilities without the bad ride like mine did

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  Not what I expected. - 2000 Ford Taurus
  By G_Rob - December 12 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my 2000 Taurus for about 1 year now and have been looking for ways to dump it for at least half that time. If I did not have to take such a beating on the negative equity it would have long been gone. I just dont care for it, from the ride to the gas mileage to the breaking system the car just does not do it for me.. Theres no way this car can compete with the likes of Honda/Toyota/Nissan. I dont know what I was thinking when I bought it...

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  Too many problem - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By Chung Ling - December 12 - 10:00 am

  Within two more years and 28,000 miles driving, my Explorer had sent back to repair 4 times, not include change Firestone tires. Radio panel has no display, rear whipper motor failed, paint lifting, thermalstate leak. Bouncing and Noising when I drove high speed at freeway. My wife refused to buy any American made car.

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  Most Unreliable Car - 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By UnhappyCustomer - December 12 - 8:23 am

  I have only had the car for 4 months and I have already had 3 trips to the shop. Trip 1) Check engine light came on. Faulty part needed to be replaced. Trip 2) Check Engine light came on. Computer needed to be recalibrated. Trip 3) The car SHUT DOWN on the middle of the highway. I had to pull over immediately as I had no power to the car. At least the car warned me to pull over safely s soon as possible. The best part is I was able to reboot it like my computer and it worked. Another part replaced. The last ford I owned needed a new transmission practically out of the gate. Just dont buy a FORD. Especially not a Fusion Hybrid. It just isnt safe in my opinion