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 with caution - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By mario starr - March 29 - 2:00 am

  Paid too much for the van to benign with that was my fault. Let me begin by listing the numerous problems I’ve encounter as an owner of a “Quality” Ford product: Power steering pump, water pump gasket, lower intake gasket, popping noise from front end, A/C condensation leaked inside van, shifting cable, speedometer, door ajar caution light works intermittently, intake breaker valve ($200)... My local dealership has been very friendly to me while they have me over this barrel called Windstar.

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  Awesome - 2004 Ford Thunderbird
  By Dorian Callen - March 29 - 2:00 am

  The new Ford Thunderbird is fantastic.I have been trying to decide upon a car for a year. I could not find anything that had style, class, power. Then a friend had mentioned the Thunderbird (I hadnt even considered it). I test drove one and bought it the next day. I couldnt turn it down. I loved it soo much.I didnt even take the hard top off to see the conv. side to the car. I love it.........

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  Wifes Car - 1997 Ford Escort
  By GJGJ - March 29 - 2:00 am

  Wife Loves the car No costs other than oil changes It is a second car for us which is conveint

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  2000 Taurus Se - 2000 Ford Taurus
  By Heidi76 - March 29 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. It is a little sporty, has a lot of room and handles well.

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  Fun Truck - 2004 Ford Ranger
  By vgauto - March 29 - 2:00 am

  Truck goes great in snow using 4wd. Love the single CD player. Audio is excellent. Plenty of power with the 4.0l engine. Miss the automatic sliding forward passenger seat(when you want to get acess to extened cab)that my 1995 had.

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  Lemon from hell - 1994 Ford Taurus
  By Catrina - March 29 - 2:00 am

  i bought this car with 59k, by 80k my spedometer stoped working, the door panels came off my doors in the back, each window needed a new motor, the radiator went, the power locks went, my stock radio kept comming up with a message "tele" on the screen and it would stop working, it rusted uncontrolabley, my windsheild washer fliud contaner formed a hole in it, i got a huge oil leak, and after fixing all that i went to trade it in and by this time it had 90k on my way to the toyota dealership (because ill never by another ford again) the transmission went

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  Room to grow - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By Family Man - March 28 - 4:56 pm

  Just picked up our 500. My wife and daughter drove it for the first two days, city and some highway. Wife likes the ride and enjoys how high she can sit. The daughter is a teenager; need I say more? I get to drive it to work now, Round trip 80 miles 90% highway with speeds up to 65 mph. I like the ride! My first tank of gas got 25 mpg.

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  JONAS T - 2005 Ford Mustang
  By JONAS T. CORD JR - March 28 - 10:00 am

  A SUPERB VEHICLE FOR THE $$$

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  Ready to Trade - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By Robertm - March 28 - 10:00 am

  I have two fords so I don carry the keyfob sfor both.I got frozen out of the vehcile twice last winter because there is no key cylinder on the driver side which is annoying. For the price of the vehicle ford can put a $10 cylinder in there not going to loose money. I have also had problems with the rear winshield. What really gets me the most is the 11 mpg when I tow withit and 20 without. It is a bad engine/tranny combo for towing anything on the heavier side of the tow range

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  Ecstatic Ford Lover - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Bridgitte. - March 28 - 10:00 am

  I love my new SUV. I am a very tall person so the head room is beyond exceptional. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone with small children. My daughter loves the back seat. She can see everything now.