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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  WOW - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By moustafamoha - January 27 - 8:31 am

  This is an excellent car for the money and shows just how far the economy game has advanced. It is not a sporty car to drive nor is it a smooth luxury ride but it does exactly what it is meant to do and that is to be an excellent commuter car. It is spacious, comfortable, cheap to buy, has features like XM and Bluetooth that are wonderful on the commute, and gets solid gas mileage. The interior and exterior styling are excellent. Im 66

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  For teenagers, Adults dont bother - 2009 Ford Focus
  By cherrie1 - January 26 - 11:38 pm

  I bought used 2009 for $9500 w/26000 miles in 2011, under TMV, so I thought I had a deal. However, I would not buy this again. The comfort level is very low with hardly any leg room. It does very poorly in certain weather conditions. Caught in a windstorm, I was forced to drive in the fast lane bcuz the slow lane was near deep embankments and the car behaved like it really wanted to flip. It also does poorly going around sharp curves. It now squeaks after that windstorm, and Im told its a bodyshop issue. Also, repairs on this can be $$. I pd $300 for a brake job. The defrost is horrible on this, takes way too long. Ok on gas, but just a teenage recreation car IMO.

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  Wish I had the great experiences as others have posted - 2010 Ford Flex
  By ashley34 - January 25 - 4:39 pm

  We purchased our flex from a dealership new (off their lot where it sat for months) in 2010. First issue was brake noise. After three trips back, the service department replaced the brakes. Then the door handle paint peeled. Which the dealership told me was because of my wedding ring wear?! Then the center console latch broke - which was covered and replaced under warranty. Then the transmission started slipping. That was fixed under warranty. Already had to replace the tires @ 30k miles. The latest is the paint peal has gotten worse. One dealership told me to take it back to the dealership I bought it from. Ford is ford is ford. Now - a noise in the passenger side dash. ....

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  What about the EcoBoost 4-Cyl? - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By 8aa2ym - January 25 - 1:50 pm

  Im not sure why our FWD base EcoBoost 4-Cyl isnt on the model list... Where Edmunds got the 0-60 in 9.1 seconds also baffles me. Maybe they spun the tires like I sometimes do. Our Explorer has more get-up-and-go than a 2006 Mountaineer with a V8. We love our Explorer. It is nimble, quick, and loves the highway. We get about 30 MPG at 65 MPH, but only about 24 at 80 MPH. This is still much better than our old 1998 V6 Explorer managed (topped out at 18 MPG). We have never had any issues with all of the techy gadgets. (Perhaps I am more capable than the average person.)

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  UPDATE! - 2012 Ford Focus
  By fordjunk1 - January 25 - 9:05 am

  This is an up-dat, this car keeps developing new funky problems that Ford just cant seem to find. Now the drivers side window binds and a Ford dealer said, "jus push on it." Can you believe this, just push on it, a brand new car!!! AND the car now has trouble starting in the cold!! Ford Focus = JUNK!!

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  First month evaluation - 2013 Ford Focus
  By enabler - January 24 - 10:22 pm

  Everythings working except (1) rear view camera screen losses the electronically superimposed guidelines by itself, occurring nearly every other day, (2) A/C button on climate screen is lit after start but manual control screen says AC is off. Gas mileage ok, but not impressive, only 29 mpg compared to my 03 Muranos 21 mpg for the same driving. Handling and ride are decent, bordering on fun. reasonably quiet with bare minimum acceleration power. Braking is not confidence inspiring.

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  I love this car - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By deizik - January 24 - 10:07 pm

  I have a 2012 BMW and I find myself driving the Explorer more and more. Its quick, big enough for the kids and all of our stuff, great sound system, etc.

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  Ford Edge 2007 - Many problems - 2007 Ford Edge
  By amn67 - January 24 - 4:51 pm

  We have had many issues with our Ford 2007 SEL. Back hatch will not open. Only way to fix is disconnect battery and after a few cold starts it will start to work again. Breaks squeak extremely loud when you first use them. This weekend transmission went out and Ford dealer wants $4800 to replace it. I found multiple internet posts about this issues. Dealer said have never heard of ford edges having this issue. Last fix a couple of months ago cost $2000+ and service man told us it was a known issue but no recall. My colorado engine died and Chevy dealer rebuilt it for no charge even without recall because it was known issue. Owned fords forever but longer ford fan.

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  Favorite vehicle I have owned! - 2013 Ford Fusion
  By wagner29 - January 24 - 11:28 am

  Lots of people have been complaining about MPG on their new Fusion. I am getting around 24 average MPG, and live in Minnesota where it has been below zero every night since I bought the car! I went from a F150 with ecoboost to the Fusion because of the bold design, AWD, and did not have the use for the truck anymore. People need to give their new car a little more time before it starts producing the rated MPG. It doesnt happen in the first tank of gas.

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  Cruiser for the 21st Century - 2013 Ford Taurus
  By sdegenn2 - January 24 - 8:29 am

  The 2013 Taurus improves on an already excellent fullsized sedan from Ford. When I drove the Focus, Fusion, and Taurus back to back, several key points became clearly evident: 1) The Taurus is the quietest and most refined of the three 2) the Taurus has the most interior space and sits the highest, providing an excellent view of the road ahead 3) the Taurus has the highest build quality and feels exceptionally premium 4) the Taurus is the heaviest and least fun to drive of the three 5) the Taurus has the most limited visibility of the three. With this in mind, I recommend the Taurus only if the driver finds the visibility acceptable in parking and driving maneuvers, as I did.