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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  feel like i was ripped off - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By never buy a ford - June 29 - 4:08 pm

  We bought the car new in 1999. In six years, we put only 50,000 miles on it and expected for it to last another four years to make it worth the money we paid. So far weve had to replace the steering rack, intake gaskets ($600), rod ends, brakes, and suffered with various unfixable noises and broken bits of interior plastic. Now the whole transmission has conked out the estimate is $2,700 to fix it, and we are done. We are not throwing good money after bad we walking away from our losses, giving the car to a mechanic for $1000. Ford has nothing to say, neither does the dealer. I am done with Ford I would never ever trust them again. DonÂ’t buy a Windstar, youll regret it.

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  Wont buy another Ford - 1998 Ford Taurus
  By PQD - June 29 - 4:04 pm

  This car (bought new in 1998) has had many things go wrong at a lower mileage than it should, e.g., transmission replaced at 63,000 miles rear brakes at 70,000 front brakes, struts, and a "rotted plug" for the coolant at 87,000 miles (the latter required a major amount of labor, though the part was small). My husband has a 1 year older Honda Accord with about 35,000 more miles on it which has had almost nothing expensive needing replacing. We usually buy cars new, keep them maintained, and drive them until they drop, generally well over 100-150,000 miles. Given how much Ive already spent on this Taurus, I think Ill trade it for a more reliable "foreign" car before anything else goes wrong!

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  STAY AWAY - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By JWM - June 29 - 3:44 pm

  Simply the worst vehicle I have ever owned. Bought with 38K and only have 50k now. I have replaced the front axle, rear shocks (twice), front shocks and struts, and sway bars and it still feels like we are surfing. I have also fixed the brake sensor (twice), rear brakes and rotors, power steering pump, various gaskets, and the transmission had to be rebuilt and left my family stranded on our vacation. Driving it home from having the transmission rebuilt, the check engine light came on again. The front seat belt doesnt work properly and the power switch for the front seat has been broken for about a year. Even with the extended, this van is costing us money. Please dont ever buy this van.

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  TBird - Best Performance Value - 2005 Ford Thunderbird
  By RobTBird - June 29 - 3:44 pm

  Have had great fun with the TBird. Everywhere I go people comment how nice it looks - from parking garage attendants to people walking on the street. Distinctive, rare look. Fast convertible top raising or lowering. High performance V-8, 390 HP, for low $30s. Cant beat the performance & price

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  American built and I love it - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By Jeff - June 29 - 3:32 pm

  Well pleased with the speed and response of the V8. Looks great after 8 years. Fuel economy is poor, however these things are big and built for fun and work not fuel economy.

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  review - 2006 Ford Expedition
  By Luka Frankovic - June 29 - 1:24 pm

  Too large side view mirrors create wind noise above 65 MPH. Poor quality of material. Plastic bumpers instead what it used to be. Poor quality of interior material. Steering is not anymore "lady friendly" like it use to be on 97 models. Lack of power(4.6 L/V8-2004 EB ). I drove car for 5 months and traded it for Armada...what a difference. I would not buy/recommend Expedition any more. People do know these days what quality is and sooner FORD leadership figures that out sales will go UP again or else.

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  Nearly Perfect Sport Truck - 2003 Ford F-150
  By Jim - June 29 - 6:50 am

  This truck can best be described as Fords rendition of a Corvette with a pickup bed. Eyeball-flattening acceleration, sports car handling, and the ability to carry a half ton of stuff in the back. My only two complaints are the lack of a manual transmission (although it does have the best automatic Ive experienced) and the gas mileage: 14 MPG on the mandatory premium fuel. Ouch! But thats the price you pay for this much fun and utility in one good-looking package.

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  good work car - 1999 Ford Taurus
  By larry - June 29 - 1:53 am

  use car for extended trips for work, never let me down, uses no oil between changes, gets 28-30 mpg on hwy, good value for nice handling car, interior road noise seems higher than other cars

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  Great year - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By chucklesva - June 29 - 1:00 am

  Excellent gas mileage. I have averaged 35 mpg since purchase. Very comfortable and quiet. Love the amount of stuff you can carry in it. It has been great.

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  Good all around truck - 2000 Ford Ranger
  By Jim - June 29 - 12:58 am

  I bought this truck brand new in 2000. It tows very well considering its a V6. I drive this truck everyday and I couldnt ask for a better truck. It has always being there for me. The ride is rough but hey, its a truck. I love this truck especially being a 5 speed manual, I dont have to worry about transmission problems like you always encounter with Ford automatic transmissions.