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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  Depreciation monster beware. - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By tcliffton - August 21 - 10:00 am

  Fuel pump went out at 37,000 miles, not acceptable. Dead in the driveway. Ford wanted $900 with special 4x4 tow to garage. Did it myself for $300, nasty job. Radio display bad. Rear wiper and rear electric release bad. Needs 4 shocks and brakes at 38,000. Got sucked into the SUV craze I guess, very few people actually need these vehicles. Driving 4600 lbs of detroit steel to drive work and get groceries is insane, you really cant hual any more than you can in a cars trunk and back seat.

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  Blown head gasket - 2000 Ford Expedition
  By Snake34 - August 11 - 8:52 pm

  I purchased an expedition b/c of its great looks, size, and expected reliability. I bought it w/55k miles in 2003. Loved it and still do b/c of tough truck looks w/the sport package. Great view from the front seats, plenty of room inside, though when the 3rd seat is used there is little to no room in the back, great handling interior comforts. The ride is a little rought. However, all of that went to the wayside when the head gasket blew at 69k and ford refused to help. So $2k later, I am still driving my Expedition. So, love the vehicle but can not rationalize buying another one due to my misfortune and fords refusal to help. Where is customer service to keep customers loyal?

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  i own 5 of them - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By Cabbie - August 7 - 10:00 am

  as part of my cab fleet i own 5 of these. just after 100k miles everyone of them needed a transaxle (transmission). at about the same time evry one of them needed a new rack (steering). The front suspension is very prone to wear, constantly changing ball joints, idler arms etc. Most of my vehicles go 500k miles before retirig at about 6 years old, these arnt making it. Suggest anybody that gets to 100-120k of normal use get rid of it quick. The Windstar actually taurus with a different body. Too heavy for the chassis and drive train.

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  Lacking - 2001 Ford F-150
  By billco - August 7 - 10:00 am

  If all you are interested in is high performance, I guess this is fine. Special oil, air filter only sold by ford and has to be ordered. Paint quality is terrible, and what is that 1 inch gap on either side of the dash about? Also the brakes are lousy.

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  Disappointed in this vehicle - 2005 Ford Escape
  By LuckyDL - August 6 - 4:30 pm

  I bought this SUV for the gas mileage and I have not been disappointed, I travel all over DC every day and this SUV is perfect for it. However it is the most uncomfortable vehicle I have ever driven. The distance from the steering wheel to the back rest is uncomfortable. The cup holder is not convenient in the least bit. I load alot of things in the back, especially early in the morning - there is no light back there, cant see a thing! I HATE the noise that goes off when you dont buckle your seatbelt, (if I want to buckle I will). Drivers seat is hard and uncomfortable. This care zooms around DC with the greatest of ease and for that and for the mileage I am grateful.

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  would not recommend - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By douglas durant - August 6 - 12:15 pm

  This vehicle does not get the gas mileage stated on the window sticker.

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  WHATS THAT LEAKING - 2001 Ford Expedition
  By THOMAS - August 2 - 1:06 am

  At about 44,900 miles noticed fluid under the truck, dealership had to rebuild the transmission. The truck does not get driven hard. Thank goodness for the extended warranty. Will be trading in because I can not trust the vehicle anymore.

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  Fuel economy let down - 2016 Ford Fusion
  By Mike M - August 1 - 1:13 am

  I have the 2016 Titanium AWD 2.0. Sticker says 22/31 mpg. Mine gets 16 city and 19 combined. Pretty poor. If I knew the actual was so far off from the claimed I would have passed on this car. Other than the mpg its a really nice car. A bit tight in the rear seat though.

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  Know Your Escape - 2002 Ford Escape
  By CWT - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Ordered 2002 Escape XLT 4x4 with every option. Dealer didnt have one in stock, so couldnt see one before ordering. Expected interior to be similar to my F-150 SuperCrew Lariat...bad assumption! It is extremely cheap, uncomforatable, and noisy. (see suggestions below). This is a highly cost-engineered vehicle that is a latent entry designed to compete with the highly-successful Honda CR-V. In looking around, Ive discovered the Escape re-sale value is weak, and I would probably go with the Hyundai Santa Fe if I were to buy another mini-SUV.

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  A sorry gift - 1997 Ford Taurus
  By Pops - July 31 - 9:59 am

  Because they depreciate so fast, especially with high mileage, I was able to buy this Taurus very cheaply. It is rated well in safety so I gave it as gift to my son. Excellent car with few problems until the tranny went at 120,000. I should not have replaced it. Since then it has been ball joints, struts, oil pan and gaskets and major brake work. Now at 150,000 it needs another tranny, serpentine belt pulley, exhaust, and wheel bearings. The Taurus is probably a good buy with low mileage, but sell it before it gets much over the 100,000 mark. Long term buyers should go with foreign makes.