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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  Ford Freestyle by Kendra - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By Kendra - October 23 - 8:00 am

  I love my Freestyle however... It had 24 miles on it when I purchased it and the transmission blew at 6700 miles. They installed a new transmission -- free of course but now that one is leaking fluid. The first transmission had a hole in it the size of a softball or a little bigger! I had no warning; it just happened and dumped 12 qt. of fluid in a parking lot. Could not drive it. Beware of this new transmission. I hate the thought of possibly needing to get rid of this car -- Ive only made 2 payments on it! I do love the car, just not the transmission at this point.

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  Dont make a mistake! - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By Mom of 2 boys - October 22 - 5:53 pm

  We bought our 02 Explorer used in 04, thinking that since we were buying from a Ford dealer, we would have Ford standing behind its product. Wrong. The car looks good, but it is a piece of junk. The rear differential has been fixed twice already (at $1000 a pop), and it still has the roaring coming from the rear end that these 02 Explorers have become famous for. Ford really should issue a recall about this. If you do your research, youll find so many owners with this same problem, and Ford wont fix it. They are simply interested in selling their cars, not having great customer service afterwards. Sorry to say, were among the legions who have now sworn off Fords forever.

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  Its costing me now - 2001 Ford Focus
  By laura4953 - October 22 - 3:31 pm

  This was the first car I ever bought. I researched it and got a fairly decent deal. However Ive had a lot of mechanical problems with it. It was at the dealer for a week cause it wouldnt start. And more recently it hss taken to not starting and sporadically stalling. I took it to 1 dealer and they claimed the stalling was from a faulty fuel pump and fixed it under warranty. Two weeks later it was still stalling and I took it to another dealer, because I moved, and its been there for over a month and they have no clue whats wrong with it. A real mind boggler they said. Ive spent a fortune in rental and repairs and its still broken. All I can say is Im never buying Ford again!

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  Looks like a beater ... runs like a champ! - 1990 Ford Thunderbird
  By psychoticdark - October 21 - 11:31 pm

  In 08/2005, my boyfriend bought me the T-Bird. There was a lot of rust on it, and I was skeptical about it. The first time we drove it, there were no brakes. It needed a new master cylinder, both rear wheel cylinders needed replacing, also a new alternator. The previous owners really did not keep up on the car. Once we did all that, it ran GREAT! Someone smashed the passenger side window, then we failed inspection to a broken coil spring, so we put new struts on it and gave it 4 beautiful new tires, and it drove like new. My boyfriend then drove it into a tree stump, and even after the repairs for that, it runs like new and drives great. It has 136,000 miles on it and youd never know it!

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  I Would Buy Another One - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By Brian Souter - October 21 - 10:00 am

  I have two children and already own a F250 that has been great but needed an SUV. The Epedition was the last one me and my wife looked at and its the one we bought we love it. The ride it great and power is very smooth and quite. There is more than ample room. We have several motorcyles and a waverunner and there has been plenty of power to pull both even up hills. This is this best SUV in its class. Buy the 5.4L V8 its the only way to go with an SUV of this size.

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  Focus wagon review - 2005 Ford Focus
  By Bob Durbeck - October 21 - 10:00 am

  I have had no problems with my Focus Wagon. It is the most fun-to-drive car I have ever owned and I have owned over 30 cars over the years.

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  still kicking - 2002 Ford Focus
  By coltsmania - October 21 - 10:00 am

  good car. I have had no problems and I am happy with it. I reccomend this car. but resale value is bad. but it is a ford.

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  A True Modern Muscle Car - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By ultra680 - October 21 - 10:00 am

  I have owned mine for 6 months and am generally happy with it. This car is a worthy bearer of the Mach 1 moniker and accurately recaptures the raw performance of the late 60s musclecar era. The DOHC engine is a little peaky in its power curve compared with the traditional pushrod V8s so it really lauches when you hit 3000rpm and makes some sweet music. The gearing is a bit low for everyday driving. A two-speed rear end or 6 spd would be nice to have

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  Poor transmission - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By menchaca - October 21 - 1:05 am

  bought with less than 30,000 miles. pervious owner had great record keeping on maintenance. Almost immediately started noticing weird things with transmission. It is very hazardous. Had a few close calls with car not speeding up when turning onto roads. It is mainly acceleration problems. Would not buy this or Taurus model in the future. Probably not any ford model. Ran into other owners with exact problem same problem.

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  Not an ordinary "family car" - 1999 Ford Taurus
  By ilovemytaurus - October 21 - 12:28 am

  This is my first car and at first I was hesitant about getting a family car considering I am 16. I have had this car for a year now and I love it. I would never trade this for a some tuner. The 24 valve 3.0 duel overhead cam engine is amazing. I love my car.