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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  let me down,but still love her - 2002 Ford F-150
  By lowrodder - November 4 - 2:37 am

  i had the vehicle 2yrs.with no problems,until i went to start it one morning and i heard a knocking sound.i took in in to find out the engine had blown.

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  Great Truck Overall - 2003 Ford Ranger
  By Zach M. - November 4 - 1:36 am

  Bought this truck as my first new car. Best compact pickup, overall am very pleased with everything. Opt for a 6 cylinder, cause the 4 has no power and lacks great gas mileage. Paint quality isnt very good either. But am overall pleased with the vehicle is fun to drive and looks great with the XLT Appearance package(chrome grill and wheels). Still too new to tell overall reliability!

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  Love this car! - 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By hankfink - November 3 - 7:36 pm

  I love it! Beautiful inside and out, very comfortable and I get 43MPG average. I drive pretty fast and on a regular bases exceed the MPGs. Its rated at 43 MPG now, so Im happy thats exactly what I get. The stereo is great, and the navigation more accurate than a smart phone. On a trip from SF to LA I have a 1/4 tank left over. Surprises everyone how nice the interior (luxury package w navigation) is. Oh the brakes are great!

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  FX4 - 2005 Ford F-150
  By John916 - November 3 - 10:00 am

  I just bought my 04 truck in September and so far so good. I know its a Ford, but I took a big chance in buying it. The interior is the best in its class! The engine is a little slow, but it does well. Honestly, the truck handles like a car.

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  A great U.S.A. built car - 2000 Ford Focus
  By mboedy - November 3 - 10:00 am

  I drive this car 55 miles one way to work. For 85000 miles there have been no problems-just maintenance like filters, tires, and brakes. I have the leather seats, cd player, and whatever else comes on the ZTS. This is a huge step up from the Escort I was using for a work car, and in fact I actually declared when I bought it "This is way too nice for a work car". This is a great commuter car, and is much more stylish than the rest of this class. I plan on driving this car another couple hundred thousand miles, since my previous Escorts all surpassed 250000 miles without any major work. This is a great car!

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  Love this car! - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By Darlene - November 3 - 8:46 am

  I love this car! Comparable to Lincoln Town Car with its roomy inside and ride. Sporty looks but also classy too. Only complaint is that the moonroof doesnt close automatically when doors are locked.

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  Last Ford Ill Own - 1999 Ford Expedition
  By skatterthemonkey - November 3 - 2:00 am

  This is the first vehicle Ive ever bought an extended warranty for (gut feeling?). Two weeks after the purchase , the head gaskets had to be replaced. 30,000 miles later, this vehicle has had over $5,000 of work done on it- second set of head gaskets, auto transmission seals, you name it. Frankly, I cant believe what a POS this truck is. Like the title says, this will be the last Ford product I ever own.

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  77,000 and still enjoying - 2013 Ford Fusion
  By Bill B - November 2 - 11:17 am

  Still a solid dependable ride. Good handling and predicability under all conditions. Bought new, will keep will past 100,000 baring unforeseen issues. Dealer support is only fair and overpriced.

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  Too Hot to Handle - 1998 Ford Mustang
  By Stangman36 - November 2 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. Absolutely nothing wrong with it. Everyones head turns when I drive by.

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  Wish they still made them - 1993 Ford Taurus
  By TET1909 - November 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought it brand new. Great buy for the performance -- I wish they still had made them. Great acceleration and handling and a good sized car Clutch wore out every 30-40000 miles and I had a recurring problem with heater core breaking. Added performance breaking system which made stooping as good as moving