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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  waste of money - 1995 Ford Windstar
  By itsjimsley - June 20 - 3:19 pm

  i bought this off the lot back in 95 with 13 miles now has 232,000 worst car ever. 2 raidiators, blown head gaskets,numerous leaks, new catalic converter, air filter, a trillion spark plugs before i figured out fords electrical system is a joke, etc. Car turns off on command, you need 20/50 oil and 91 fuel for a slightly better ride, and car is loud as hell. After all the repairs i made before it finally gave up for good i have 26,000 dollars in maintenence never buy a ford. My fault for not choosing a toyota previa or caravan

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  Very nice truck, 3.7 best suited for light-medium duty - 2013 Ford F-150
  By digitalekg - June 18 - 10:46 pm

  This is my company vehicle which I will put 50k miles on per year. Its a comfortable place to be, I drive long distances, and the 3.7L V6 is powerful enough if you dont haul heavy stuff. I get 17-18 mpg overall, I know the EPA highway figure is 23, and I have never come close. The steering, brakes, and ride are quite good. It is a quiet cab which my sleeping baby boy likes. It has a commanding view and no real blind spots. Overall it is a very nice vehicle but if I were buying it for myself I would get the ecoboost V6. I would recommend this truck to a friend.

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  Pleased Expedition Owner - 1999 Ford Expedition
  By nate86 - June 18 - 6:00 pm

  I bought my 1999 Expedition Eddie Bauer at a little over 78,000 miles. It had just one owner prior, and was well maintained and cared for. The truck is awesome to say the lease. Stylish, BIG, yet very comfortable to drive, especially on the highway. Gas mileage? It has not been an issue because all I do is drive to school, work, and basic daily errands like grocery shopping and doctor visits. I think that a properly educated truck owner must know that proper maintenance like oil changes, tune-ups etc. are required, just like with other cars. This truck is built very strong and sturdy, and I feel powerful in the drivers seat when I drive it. This is the best SUV built in 1999, bar none.

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  RECALLED and REPURCHASED - 2013 Ford Escape
  By gb191 - June 18 - 8:54 am

  We bought our 2013 Escape last July, loved the the look of it, loved the interior and was hoping for great gas mileage with the EcoBoost engine... Well after two weeks it was recalled for engine fires. Ford had it for a week... Then at Thanksgiving it was recalled again...this time Ford had it for a month... Same issue.. In addition I think the engine, 1.6, is too small for the vehicle, the stated 22 mpg city is way way off... I am lucky if I get 16-17 locally. All I drive is local, we commute 13 miles each way through NYC, I was hoping the EcoBoost engine would be ideal... Boy was/am I surprised.. We have applied for Lemon Law and Ford will repurchase it soon.

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  Big Bucks small car! - 2012 Ford Focus
  By mgq777 - June 17 - 10:35 pm

  Purchased for gas economy and comfort. Does what expected with fuel. Cost too much. Its really small inside but when compared with other cars same size I feel comes out on top. I am 54" and I bump my head getting in the car. Good to drive and handle. Relief on gas. Negatives. We loaded it. Being a titanium we added several options. We live all except were screwed on the remote start to start the car from inside the house to heat the car on a cold day or cool it on a hot day. Basically it works until you get in the car and put on the brake to back up and the car cuts off. We were charged about $400 for this. Middle console too long knocks tops off drinks , trunk small

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  If you want to hear rattling metal, buy one. - 2013 Ford Focus
  By beachmike83 - June 17 - 8:27 pm

  We bough this car 5 days ago. It has less than 350 miles on it and is making a horrible rattling noise. Hundreds of threads out there of people complaining of the same issue that appears to be related to the transmission and FORD does not have a fix. Its horribly disappointing to have this happen so soon. Stay away from this car!

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  Lemon - 2012 Ford Focus
  By richard4872 - June 17 - 3:11 pm

  Let me start by saying, I have the SE Sport with the Tuxedo Package. Black on Black. Gorgeous car. The first 25,000 miles in the car were awesome. It handled like a dream. My edition came with the wrap around Recaro seats. I even averaged 33 mpg at 80 mph. Heres the bad. At 25,000 miles, Ford rebuilt my first transmission and differential. At 32,000 they rebuilt my transmission again. Now it is at 40,000 miles and needs another. Heres the catch. The automatics arent true traditional automatics. They are manuals, but, the computer has a solenoid that pushes the clutch for you. Yes, I said clutch. Even worse, the clutch plates are cast and not forged. Thank god for the Lemon Law

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  The no torque, suspension, easiest to drive and give up car. - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By musicmitch - June 17 - 1:51 pm

  Suspension: Front independent, but rear only a beam in the back - it bottoms out on bumps. NO torque from A standstill - almost got into two accidents when trying to accelerate from a standstill. The gas economy is not 29/39. My trip computer after 6000 miles, says I get only 17mpg in the city and 28 on the highway - UNACCEPTABLE for such a light car. I challenge anyone from Ford to come and look at my trip computer. The rear seat is severely cramped. The rear windshield is harder to see out of at night. No center bin front seat. When Arm rest extended, it interferes with cup holders. Ambient lighting is a waste of money. Front door has a weight imbalance. Blind spot mirrors hard to use.

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  Great value for the price, but not without drawbacks. - 2013 Ford Focus
  By mv_car - June 16 - 2:07 pm

  Great car for the price, got mine for what I consider a steal. Drives like european sedan...puts a smile on my face the way it goes around turns effortlessly. Engine not yet broken in, and computer needs to be calibrated but so far I can exceed 40mpg going 65, and hit 35 going 75. This car needs almost no maintenance! GladI didnt purchase extended warranty: Platinum plugs, ceramic brake pads, synthetic tranny lube, top consume reports rated cooper tires, this car is built to last (I hope!). If you do buy this car, I recommend going with car and drivers advice and buying a manual SE model with the upgrade package, allowing you to avoid My Ford Touch and dullard of an auto tranny.

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  Running strong for over 13 years - 1995 Ford Taurus
  By gemmerich - June 12 - 5:57 pm

  I got my Taurus from my parents back in 2003 when I got my license in high school. Before that, it was my older sisters when she was in high school, and before that it was the eldests when she was in high school. Thats right, by the time I got it, it had been in my family for five years already. I drove her all through college, back and forth from Santa Barbara to Sacramento. This is truly a miracle car, I am now graduated from law school and STILL DRIVING HER! I have abandoned all hope that she will ever die--I wanted her to not pass smog this year so I could turn it in for a program where I would get $1500. Low and behold, SHE PASSED. This is the most amazing car!