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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  Pretty Good So Far - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By explorerowner - April 6 - 2:14 pm

  I bought the Explorer over the Cherokee, even though the Cherokee had more options, at a lower price. My truck drives very well, and has incurred very few problems. The paint job of the vehicle is another issue. My black paint is cracking on the roof and hood of the car. I have always washed and waxed the car thoroughly, and wish this would not happen. The paint on the roof racks is also coming off.

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  A step down - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By a step down - April 6 - 3:23 am

  We downsized from a Expedition and with four kids we really have not felt an impact. We go on the normal weekend getaways and the only noticeable difference is the gas savings.

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  Mustang GT - 2005 Ford Mustang
  By Carl Thomas - April 5 - 3:45 pm

  since owning the car I have had many favorable comments on the new design. All my friends that have driven the car are impressed with the handling and performance.

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  Reliable old Ford - 1994 Ford Escort
  By deec - April 5 - 11:53 am

  My Ford Escort is 12 years old and still running great. It had only had 2 problems before it hit the ten year mark: the alternator and the fan. The fan was covered under warranty, and the alternator cost less than $200 to fix. Now, it needs things fixed regularly, but the repairs are still fairly inexpensive. This car is the best purchase Ive ever made - cheap and dependable. Also, its a manual, so it has some acceleration. It handles well and is fun to drive. For many years, it got 40 mpg on the highway, but now its down to 35. This is the Energizer Bunny of cars.

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  Magic Carpet feel of driving a car - 2017 Ford Fusion Energi
  By SSK - April 5 - 11:33 am

  Excellent ride in all respects. The only possible drawback would be with the trunk if a full size trunk is needed because the battery takes up about 1/2 of the typical trunk space. You do get a large glove compartment, storage in the center console and doors and use of the entire rear seat if not occupies. However for families that often require the use of an entire trunk with rear seat occupies, this would need to be a considerstion in the purchase of electric vehicles such the Fusion energi. : )

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  a fun drive and quite responsive. - 2013 Ford Mustang
  By bob hudson - April 5 - 10:26 am

  check out if the rear swaybar needs replacing also the water pump as people have had them replaced like I did before 30000 miles. I have had to spray the front shocks with wd 40 every so many miles as they start to squeak. other than that I give this car a lot of credit for driveability and pep at 305 hp.

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  My 1997 Ford Explorer - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By w4abw - April 5 - 9:53 am

  I bought my 1997 Eddie Bauer 4WD new. It was great for about 4 years. I had put 16,000 miles on it when the factory warranty expired and had zero problems. After the warranty expired the SUV went nuts. Heater quit because of defective blend door and blend door motor. Rear lights went out because of defective wiring (can you believe) and the check engine light would come on and go off as often as a US Senator sticks out his hand for a contribution. On top of that the Ford roll over problem appeared with both Ford and Firestone pointing fingers at each other. When the SUV was about 6 years old the dash lights began to fail one at a time. Now the dash lights are mostly all out. Hood now fails.

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  Impressive - 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
  By charliech47 - April 5 - 8:07 am

  Just bought the 2013 at Edmunds FMV. Very nice machine. Trip MPG is 47-48 if you stay at or bellow 65 MPH. If you drive with a bit of finesse and use the little cruise guide on the display on the left in city and cruise control on the highway youll get very close or better to the advertised MPG. It does take a little practice to get comfy with the infotainment but practice makes perfect and only a bit more complex than my GM Saturn vue. If you do lead foot it youll be surprised. Brilliant automotive engineering by Ford!

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  Festiva - 1993 Ford Festiva
  By Brian - April 4 - 4:44 pm

  I bought my Festiva new in 1993 for $5600. Today it has 225,000 miles on it and still gets over 40 mpg. I too have gone through mufflers but only had to pay for the first because of the lifetime warranty. Add the brakes to that list of lifetime warranty only had to buy the first set. When the old girl does decide to give up the ghost I wish that I would be able to bye a new one. Sad to think, that I canÂ’t get them here in the states. I think the Festiva or there predecessor can be found in Brazil? Good commuter car and great in the city for parking. The guys at work tease me but hell IÂ’ve watched them buy car after car through the years. What a car.

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  The gremlin - 2000 Ford Focus
  By Noah - April 4 - 4:40 pm

  I love my little green focus it has been an amazing car never have to repair anything engine picks up really good with only 110 horsepower brakes work great never failed to stop me in time its just an all around great car just watch out for wheel bearings and the car is a dream to drive just gas and go good job ford