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:

• 

  Has been a very reliable, solid SUV - 2013 Ford Edge
  By Dan - January 3 - 10:18 pm

  Bought new at the end of 2013, SE model with the 3.5 V6. Only one problem in 4 years, an gas tank overflow valve started sticking and causing a check engine light. Replaced it myself for about 50 bucks. Car has over 106k miles on it now.

• 

  Work Van- Not very nice, I would hate it if I had paid for it! - 2010 Ford Transit Connect
  By dalebass3 - January 3 - 9:14 pm

  Wheel bearings went out at 50,000! All but one hubcap has come off. Power windows have stopped working. Driver side door does not unlock with the key fob. Fuel tank is tiny, I need to fill up every other day. Ride is so loud I cant even use the blue tooth. Overall this car has a lot of issues. It is free for me to drive so that makes up for it some, but if I had paid my own money for this I would be mad.

• 

  Love our little Red Escort - 1998 Ford Escort
  By rail81 - January 3 - 8:55 pm

  Bought this car used as a replacement for a Nissan Sentra. Other than being a little noisy, its been a great car. It now has 110K on the odometer and still going strong. Weve had to replace motor mounts and the drive axles in the past few months but at 100K those are wear items anyway. This car has been flawless otherwise. Car has never had to go in for service except for routine maintenance items. For those who are shopping, stay away from the dual cam engine unless you just gotta have the power. Routine maintenance for the twin cammer is far more expensive than the single cammer, or so Ive read.

• 

  My Green Babys The Best! - 1994 Ford Ranger
  By Allwomenneedpickups - January 3 - 7:04 pm

  If someone had told me Id be driving a pickup truck 10 years ago I would have thought they were crazy. This baby has moved my friends, transported refrigerators & freezers, helped me transport all that Home Depot stuff to renovate my house, picked up those finds along the curb on garbage day, and much more with just regular oil changes and tune-ups. Only problem has been a need for fuel pumps every 2 years! Everything else is regular maintenance. I hate to sell it, but now I need an extended cab.

• 

  terrible quality - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By mark - January 3 - 5:46 pm

  Bought this ‘99 Windstar new took it into the dealer at 1,500 miles for an oil change, and it came back with a new transmission (under warranty). Need I say more. Terrible quality. In most other ways, an average boxy minivan.

• 

  Ford makes a good mustang? - 2017 Ford Mustang
  By Jeremiah Thompson - January 3 - 7:33 am

  Yes, They do! finally a mustang for modern America. With the new suspension in the rear this car drives! Instead of the old mustangs where going into a corner meant ending up at the coroners, this mustang lets you power through in control. Fun to drive with a stiff but yet forgiving ride. Cant wait to take this to the track, both the drag and the road track. This does not however mean its all roses for the new mustang. The interior leaves you wanting and thinking why? For example there are very few fake aluminum-plastic lookalike pieces, 5 switches 2 accents and the cowling around each primary air vents. With so few of these items why not use real aluminum? It would have increased the cost by 60 bucks so it leaves me saying why? Secondly the GT coyote engine suffers from a lack of tech. Ford makes the all amazing ford GT which has an engine that has the capability to turn off cylinders, and has the red light "stop start" function, these or at the very lest the "stop start" should be a must for this engine and would help massively with fuel eco. That being said the noise the cayote engine makes and the power it produces is something that must be experienced to believe!

• 

  The right motor for the right SUV - 2005 Ford Excursion
  By Tom Davis - January 3 - 12:12 am

  The best bang for the buck imaginable. Sits tall on the road but has the power to get you out of a tight spot when it is needed. Fuel economy better than I first thought it would be. Easy handling in tight turns. The accelerator takes some adjusting to but the shifting points make getting into high traffic areas a breeze. Tried both engines the V10 and the Diesel. Hands down favorite is the diesel.

• 

  Dont buy Ford - 2001 Ford F-150
  By Ron King - January 2 - 7:32 pm

  15 visits to dealer for repair in 3 years. Transmission thud with 2-1 downshift, replaced rear end, still whines, bad seals and compressor in air conditioner, bad sparkplug coil, drivers seat problems. Worst vehicle I have ever owned. Traded for a Honda Pilot. Glad to be rid of it. Dont buy a Ford unless you want to get to know the service department personnel really well.

• 

  Nice truck but - 2005 Ford Expedition
  By Arthur Daly - January 2 - 3:43 pm

  We owned a 1997 model which I liked better overall. Some good improvements are, the power third row seat which is a great improvement. The rear door is lighter and the power lock on the rear window is handy. The middle storage between the front seats is huge compared to my 97 model. I had a problem with poor quality leather front seats which the dealer replaced. The air conditioner freezes up on the highway and stops blowing cold air. A little slow on the start for such a big engine but move along nice once you get going.

• 

  I Love my Ford Escape - 2004 Ford Escape
  By Ford Escape - January 2 - 3:41 pm

  I have had my Escape XLT 4WD since January 2004. I have not had any problems what so ever. It snowed 4" the week I brought my Escape I work 35 miles from my residence I had no problem getting to and from work. I drove my Escape from Temple Hills, MD to Ft. Lauderdale, FL over 1400 milles one-way no problem, I love the the take- off speed of my Escape even though its an SUV its very light so the take-off is excellent. My Escape is roomy and the gas mileage is excellent I work 35 miles from my home I fill up once on Sunday and once on Thursday I get great gas mileage. My husband owns the Ford Explorer XLS 1999 its burns more gas so we usually drive the Escape since the gas prices are high.