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 - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By peetyweety - November 7 - 2:00 am

  Very poor quality overall. Mechanically and electrically unreliable. Buy two so that you will have one to drive while the other is in the shop.

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  ARGHHHH!!! - 1995 Ford Mustang
  By nomorestangsever - November 6 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car with only 72,000 miles on it and I expected it to give me trouble-free enjoyment for at least another 40,000. Unfortunately, the car broke down 3 months later (and cost $800 to fix) and broke down every 3 months after that, at similar costs. Never buy a FORD. In all Ive put $2,500 in that car on repairs in 1 damn year. Oh, and it depreciated like a mother in that same year, funny how that works. I feel sorry for all those idiots who are still buying new Fords.

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  Ford Ranger - 1991 Ford Ranger
  By Jan Lockwood - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Used truck with over 100,000 miles. Has an oil leak that cannot be repaired.Exterior door damaged. Somewhat beat up.

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  dont buy - 1994 Ford Explorer
  By fordowner1 - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I had to pay for this vehicle basically twice. I put 2 transmittions and one clutch in it. The vehicle still rides rough. Has many other minor problems. Overall, worst vehicle I ever bought.

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  RIPPOFF - 2014 Ford Focus
  By chipmunk26 - November 2 - 11:33 pm

  well the car looks good but be careful . the first problem you will get is going to be the transmission, the shifting is rough and it will need to figure whether it needs to shift or not..... de careful in traffic it will give you a backache. the update you will get from the dealership is not very good since they are not equipped with the issue and the warranty is extended to some parts but all the parts that need to be fixed that is if you over 5/60k warranty part for powertrain. When it comes it to resale thats a hole another story. the car drops in price massive when it comes to trade it or sell at least 4k-6k. the Bluetooth setup is okay but you will need to reconnect it overtime since it will not do that and also understand what your saying. I do not recommend any to buy this car not worth it. I also went through 3 transmission over the time I had the car an average of 10k miles . I had a total of 16 repair on the car which made it an average of 1.85 which comes out to every 2months in the shop (owning it for 28months).

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  Ford? Never Again! - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By MrSun11 - October 26 - 10:00 am

  My wife wanted this pretty red Mustang. We needed a car that gets good gas mileage, and after seeing on the "sticker" that the V-6 was estimated to get 19 city/26 highway, we felt as though this was a good purchase for us. Well, it gets 11 mpg in town. The dealer did troubleshooting on the car, and informed me that it was getting 15 mpg in town, and 25 on the highway. So, the Ford Factory Rep suggested that he fill the tank, drive it for 20 miles or so, then refill the tank and determine the mileage. He got almost 12 miles to the gallon! Thus far, Ford Motor Company refuses to do anything else.

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  Lemonaide anyone? - 1994 Ford Tempo
  By NowHateFords - October 24 - 2:00 am

  At 135,000 miles, the transmission is now shot, had the calipers stick (replaced rotors, calipers, and obviously bought new pads). Tie rod were replaced (all 4, just like my previous car--Taurus), a harmonic balancer, and a new tensioner arm. Did I mention the oil leak from the seals?

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  Financing FORD through their repairs sho - 1992 Ford Explorer
  By Buster Hyman - October 22 - 2:00 am

  TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION!!!! My Explorer is averaging one TRANSMISSION every 35000 miles. While talking to other Explorers owners and repair shops, Im one of the luckier ones. FORD knows they have a BIG TRANSMISSION PROBLEM in their Explorers. It seems that they are too embarrassed to admit it and as long as their TRANSMISSION last their warranty they are happy!! What is really funny, this time, FORD wants to sell me and install another companys transmission. I wished they had done that two TRANSMISSIONS ago. Buyers beware. For now Ill just keep on pushing. Buster

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  F.O.R.D. - Fix Or Repair Daily - 1995 Ford Mustang
  By soldmymustsang - October 20 - 2:00 am

  After driving it for like a month, I started noticing all kinds of squeaks, the cheap cheap ultimate cheap interior materials, and my multifunction switch blew. I have noticed that almost all domestic brand vehicles use very cheap interior materials. Take a look at the foregin brand cars, they use good quality materials and it is build tight! And please, change the interior design of the Mustangs... Ford hasnt redesigned their dull interior design in almost 7 years! I absolutely hate domestic cars, I will never ever get one again. Companies like GM and Ford should learn from companies like Honda or Toyota

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  not again! - 1995 Ford Contour
  By steve64 - October 19 - 2:00 am

  It was a beautiful car. basically reliable, but many minor problems. Chrome bumper strips peeled off, low coolant light came on, water leaks inside car, power window kept going out and back on. Rode too hard for my tastes, especially impact harshness. V6 good on gas at 28 mpg, but short gearing kept the car revvy while accelerating. seetled down at cruise though. Handling seemed pretty good though and the car was quiet enough. Oh, it had the a/c go out and the intake plenum went bad causing an oil leak, both fixed under warranty or before purchase, great service from dealer, if a little inconvenient, but for $4000 what can i expect?