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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  buy a foreign vehicle. - 2000 Ford Expedition
  By zsdfhjkkll - November 17 - 2:00 am

  put in new transmission at 58k. new front ball joints and my driver seat is now in need of repair. my first and last Ford

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  As a pleasure car - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By Local Driver - November 15 - 2:00 am

  This car is used for local driving. Its fun to drive, but MPG is poor. In the 6 years I have had it, it has many recalls and mechanical problems. Also, it started rusting on the tailgate, bumpers and side steps after only a couple of years. I would not buy another one.

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  My bad investment - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By joe blow - November 15 - 2:00 am

  I was getting out of a 98 Mustang when I got this suv. It hasnt failed me except for once. I dont have too many complaints except for the drivers seat has broken, the rear windshield wiper doesnt work, and the middle console broke easily. It gets crappy gas mileage of about 14 city and 20 hgwy. I like my Explorer, but I dont love it.

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  piece of crap - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By gtw - November 14 - 2:00 am

  Paint is chipping off the corners of the roof. Paint is cracking on top of roof where the roof ditch is located on the left and right side of roof. Luggage rack has black coating flaking off. Van keeps rolling after you put in park. Car is just over 3 years old and I certainly do not expect to have paint problems. DO NOT BUY ONE!!!

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  Ford Cant Build Consistency - 1999 Ford Taurus
  By Beware of Ford - November 11 - 2:00 am

  This car was well-maintained by the first owner, whom I knew. I bought it with 53K and, 3K later, the transmission went. Thats a 1000 dollars for a used transmission with a 3-month guarantee! Ford Consumer Affairs took my information and said someone would review it. Uh-huh. A local Ford service writer said that the most hed seen Ford give customers towards out-of-warranty repairs was $500, but you had to have the work done at a dealership, which would cost $2600! Yikes! Do not buy this car, it is too risky, and Ford does not stand behind their product. P.S. All the mechanics and transmission shops I went to or called said the same thin

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  2013 Ford Fusion SE 2.5 L - 2013 Ford Fusion
  By Jay - November 8 - 1:28 am

  I will tell you this car drives great and its very comfortable and peppy for it to be a 4cylinder. Now the bad I am spending a total of 60 dollars a week in gas and only stay 8 minutes away from the job . Please reconsider in buying this car its not worth it and also my windshield wipers are getting stuck when they are turned on after 5 minutes smh. Do your research and proceed with caution.

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  what a disappointment! - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By hadlovedit - November 5 - 2:06 am

  Within the first 600 miles the transmission had to be replaced. In order to fix it they put on an additional 123 miles; said had to road test it ... the cd was replaced 3 times. The seats dont work (still), am driving much too far back. Loud noises in the undercarriage. Oil light keeps going on and Fords people are totally uncooperative. Car been at the dealer 3 weeks in the three months I owned it. As I wait for the parts to come in, I can only wonder what disaster will happen next!

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  Problem brakes and transmission - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By keric - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Ive replaced the brake system four times on this van so far. The ABS system fails and the brakes wear very rapidly, requring a total replacement of parts including roters, drums, pads and anything else in the brake system. Very expensive! My co-worker who owned a 1997 version had the same trouble. Ive also had to replace the transmission on this van once already.

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  140,000 Miles! - 2001 Ford Taurus
  By Salesguy - November 5 - 2:00 am

  As a salesman in the typical salesman vehicle, it did its job. I finally turned it in 140,000 miles later. 3 sets of front brakes, tires, a water pump, and a battery. The original battery gave out after only a year. The front rotors warp easily and brakes heat up too fast in the mountains. The steering wheel squeaks. It was a sled for power and had the turning radius of a truck, but held the road on winding roads. If you want a slow car that looks fast and is reliable, buy one. The price should come down quickly as companies are starting to sell off their fleet vechicles.

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  its ok - 1999 Ford Contour
  By mya - November 4 - 2:00 am

  this car had 1500 miles on it when i bought it so was not very used i do not like the placements of the cupholder, the arm rest is often in the way of the backseat cup holder, if the armrest is down it cramps drivers space (and i am not very big, hard to imagine a larger person in this car)..handling is substandard on anything other than dry pavement, even with new tires, gas mileage poor for this size car..headlights always shift so that they are beaming upward, techs fix this as well couple times and problem cont. to happen, dashboard is warping ford service very very poor in my area, would never buy a ford again