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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  My Ford Touch Misses The Mark - 2013 Ford F-150
  By surfisher - June 25 - 7:47 am

  Overall, the truck is very nice. Ford Engineering took some steps to try and make the 2013 F150 a better truck. While some of these areas were improved, others were over engineered and missed the mark.

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  Love my new Ecoboost! FX4 w/max tow pgk - 2013 Ford F-150
  By falconpike - June 24 - 9:36 pm

  They didnt have an option for 3.5L Ecoboost FX4. I just got done towing a 28ft 8,000lb trailer to Yosemite National Park and it pulled it with no issues, turbo lag or trouble getting up 7%+ grade hills. I had a 2010 with the 5.4ltr v8 and it had trouble pulling the travel trailer even with the 3.73gears. In towing I got average of 12.5mpg. I usually get 15.5 in city and upper teens for hwy but I work in a hilly area so Im getting better then I expected. I was a little worried about the Ecoboost reviews from the 11 & 12 models but looks like they worked out the kinks for 13 but I leased the truck just in case. If you need a truck that can tow alot & get v6 mpgs, this is the truck!

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  Great commuter car. - 2000 Ford Focus
  By anthony224 - June 23 - 9:39 pm

  I owned my focus for awhile now and I am well over 200k miles and it still runs like new and can drive anywhere while still getting great gas mileage. On average I get about 29-30 with mixed driving. The car is very reliable and has never let me down the only things I needed to replace on it was the 14 year old brake booster and a radiator hose that dry rotted. As long as you maintain the fluids and drive the car normally it should last you 200k miles+. Enough room to comfortably fit 3 adults and a 4th with a little effort. The car does great in the snow with the right tiers on the front. If your looking for a nice affordable car for daily driving look no further.

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  Over 281,000 miles and still going strong - 2003 Ford Escape
  By ljs_florida - June 23 - 6:16 pm

  This is the best vehicle I had ever owned it now has over 281,000 miles and no major problems with this vehicle at all, the only thing that has gone wrong was the radiator and fuel pump no other problems.

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  Excellent value and great MPG - 2013 Ford Fusion
  By netmike1963 - June 23 - 2:27 pm

  I replaced my 2011 Fusion with the 2013 Fusion. What a huge difference between them !! My 2011 Fusion was cramped compared to my 2013 Fusion. I now have much more legroom so long distant drives are much more comfortable. I chose the Fusion S model and with incentives, the purchased price was below $20,000.00 The color of my Fusion is Ginger Ale Metallic and I receive a lot of compliments almost daily. I bought my Fusion in April 2013 and already have over 4,000 miles on it. I am currently averaging a little over 26mpg and I truly enjoy driving it more than my previous one. The ride is so much smoother than the 2011 model.

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  Built Ford Tough - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By alessing - June 22 - 7:19 pm

  My Explorer is a 1997 Automatic 4x4 coming up on 180k miles, and it has honestly never failed me. I know that every time I turn the key it will start, and any time I need it to perform it does. Just 2 days ago an older couple got their Kia stuck in a steep ditch and dug their tires in the wet mud, I towed them out just fine. I tow my 3 ton boat without issues, and the high torque V6 never fails me next to a ricer at a red light. The 4x4 is great out on the beach, and even the backwoods trails. I agree with the other reviews, the gas mileage is just horrible, but other than that, I cant complain. Ive had no mechanical issues, the ride is decent, and for the money, this truck is priceless.

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  Sad it had to go - 2001 Ford Taurus
  By mczachary - June 22 - 1:02 pm

  I bought my Taurus in 2009 with 160,000 miles on the odometer. I racked up 60,000 miles by the time 2013 rolled around. The only problems I ever had were maintenance. Tires, O2 sensor, Coil pack and thats it. While I drove it I hit a giant deer with it, didnt affect anything at all. Its the best car Ive owned. I had to get rid of it recently because once it reached 220,000 miles the engine began loosing oil pressure from being worn out. Sold it to my brother and it hasnt died yet! I was very satisfied with what I got out of it.

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  Not The New Car Experience I expected - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By chairmanb - June 21 - 4:54 pm

  I bought this fully loaded Explorer Limited through the Costco auto purchase program and picked it up at the Ford dealer in Helena, MT. Drove it home (about 200 miles) then made three trips to the airport. The "check engine light" went on after about 300 miles. I took it into Ford and they told me they needed to completely dismantle the transmission in order to replace the defective torque converter. This is a BRAND NEW CAR. I dont want t new tiorque3 converter, I want a new car and so far nothing from Ford. Buyer beware. This was a known issue and my new car is sitting at the dealer.

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  Great at first but awful now - 1997 Ford Escort
  By brendan12090 - June 20 - 11:53 pm

  I have had 3 escort models in my life span, so far the 96 wagon was the better of them all, I have a 98 escort wagon now and Ive had to replace everything, except for the engine. I love the gas mileage but the cost of repairs is starting to go through the roof and about to just junk it because the unibody is rotted and will not pass inspection and to think its 2013 and it barely has 95000 miles on it, amazing, anyways if you want reliability go foreign stay away from fords

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  The Auto transmission - very bad - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By jeffm8 - June 20 - 9:50 pm

  The powershift transmission sounds at times like it is grinding aluminum cans in the transmission. Usually happens at slow speeds , turning or uphill. From stops or in turns, the trans lurches. On hard acceleration or highway, there are no issues. Have gone many rounds with ford dealer, corporate etc. All say this is normal for this trans. The powershift is dry clutch technology designed to hit high mileage. It delivers the goods on mileage, but the trans grinds louder than my 83 AMF Harley. Very disappointed, This is unacceptable to me. Ill give up a mpg or two for a smooth quiet hydraulic transmission. Took a loss on it and traded it for another manufacturers vehicle.