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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  OK for a Ford - 2001 Ford Ranger
  By legendrider - November 3 - 2:00 am

  Had a few probs, Some engine plug blew out of it spewing coolant all over the hwy, Emerg brak keeps sticking rendering it useless, other than that its been pretty reliable, hate the replacement Goodyears, not as aggressive and bigas the Firestones. Shouldnt have gotten a stick, pain in the A$$, poor mileage, and nooo guts.

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  A bumpy ride, literally and figuratively - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By Psychscan - November 2 - 2:00 am

  My Explorer had a radiator replacement, tire replacements, and a recall in the first 1000 miles. It had two additional recall items in August, 2003. It went out of warranty (3 yr/36,000 miles) in July, 2003. In October, 2003 (37500 miles) the engine blew, though it had been meticulously maintained, costing $5200. Ford would not accept any responsibility or cover any repairs. No more Fords for me though I have driven them in my business and personal fleet.

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  No more Ford! - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By rotceh - October 30 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle brand new. Multiple recalls, a rear windshield wiper that NEVER worked, and just flat out bad Quality Control from the factory. First and last time I buy a Ford.

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  Really miss my red 97 Ford F 150 truck! - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By NanaD - October 30 - 2:00 am

  I really like the looks of my Exp.Sport,but it is the worst vehicle I ever drove.You feel every bump in the road..and if those bumps are in a curve,the rear will get "squirelly". If you drive in the rain...slow way, way down because you lose traction (rear) on wet roads. I tried other tires with no success in changing this problem.

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  Transit Connect work rig - 2010 Ford Transit Connect
  By Lisa - October 29 - 10:00 am

  We use our transit connect for work. My number 1 concern is the lack of leg room for back seat passengers. At times we need to transport more than one person to the urgent care and the lack of leg room makes it very difficult to do so. At 60 Miles an hour the RPM are 25,000, seams to high. Front seat is fairly comfortable, even on longer trips. Visibility is very good all around. Huge front panoramic front windshield easy to see pretty much everything.

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  This car should be taken off the lineup - 2003 Ford Escort
  By sweety89 - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Well the main reason why i dog this cra is because atfer driving mine for like 3 months it started breaking down i take it to get looked at and i find out that it has no motor mont then it took 3 months to get one because they claimed it was an international part. The other part i do not like is how things are so low you do not even have a arm rest you have a little hole and the stero is awful and when you put a after market one in they have to put a ugly black stero holder

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  Always something - 1999 Ford Contour
  By JULIET - October 27 - 2:00 am

  This is the worst car. I will never buy another ford. Flywheel was going 2 weeks after purchase. Took 2 years 5 times in shop before it was repaired. Blower switch went out/air intake system always has a problem/poor shocks/wind noise.. Something always. Dealership is does not care and same with ford. Dash board replaced and engine light is always on. Does not accelerate well when taking off almost causing accidents

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  A mistake I bought it - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By phlbill - October 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Windstar in April 2000. After a couple of weeks I knew it was a mistake. The drivers seat position is uncomfortable. There is no place to put your left foot while driving except on the hump for the front wheel. Gas milage is terrible. It strugles to get 20 mpg on the highway and 14 mpg in a mix of urban highway and city driving. Gas milage is almost as bad as a 68 Caddy I once had. But that had a 7.7 liter engine vs the Windstars 3.8. It has been for the most part a car that starts and gets me where I am going. I should bought a F150 Super Crew or a Caravan

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  My first (and last) Ford - 2001 Ford F-150
  By mgrnpd - October 27 - 2:00 am

  We bought this mainly as a family vacation vehicle. Plenty of back seat room for the kids, plenty of luggage room in the bed (with a cap), and can still tow the boat. The problem is it stranded us for a couple days on our first long vacation (Ford was no help at all) and broke down right before leaving on another long vacation. Now several unidentafiable rattles have begun. Id like to get rid of it for a more reliable vehicle, but the incentives on the new ones have really killed the resale value of mine. I thought I was buying one of the most reliable trucks to keep for a long time and now Im looking for a way out.

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  Transmission Problem - 2003 Ford Escape
  By fordescapevictim - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Three months after I purchased it, the transmission started to break down. The Ford dealership attempted to fix it but cannot. They claimed the computer module has to be reprogrammed so they did, but the slipping problems still keep reoccurring. I dont think this SUV is ready for prime time. Remember, you dont get compensated for the inconveniences you suffer plus headaches.