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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  Top Flight Car - If Modified - 2003 Ford Focus
  By svt_owner - July 3 - 8:46 am

  Test drove an Acura RSX-S and SVT. RSX felt cramped with poor outward vision poor and didnt come "loaded" as the SVT - which had everything but traction control. Driving position, outward vision and ergonomics all superior to RSX, as are brakes. Body roll excessive and gear linkage slow. Worst feature is the dual mass flywheel, which is supposed to dampen out ham fisted shifting, but merely retards revs, acceleration, and obviates engine braking. Noisy car with practically no sound insulation, although it comes with a good sound system. MPG on the poor side, especially in mixed traffic, (22-23).

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  Buyer beware - 2009 Ford Focus
  By cstainke - June 28 - 8:23 pm

  Bought this car with 15k miles on it. Its been one problem after another. It has left us high and dry at least 4 different times where the car wouldnt start at all. 2 times is was due to the fuel pump. The fuel pump went once last Christmas day and we had to stay at a hotel out of town overnight. Then the computer on the car went out not too long ago. Everything was covered by warranty, but what a pain . Then, just yesterday, the car would start but wouldnt shift out of park at the grocery store. Shifter was somehow locked up! It is currently at the dealer and they have no clue why that happened. I will never buy another Ford car. tires wear down very fast also. on 2nd set at 5ok miles sucks

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  Excellent temporary car, wouldnt recommend long term - 1997 Ford Escort
  By brendan12090 - June 26 - 4:31 pm

  Have had this escort for a little less than a year and it has just been terrible. Everything has had to of been replaced including, all four struts, both lower ball joints, full exhaust, and little repairs along the way, I should have just bought a new car! Although it has many problems, it refuses to die and for that I gave it a 4 in reliability. Moving on to a Toyota because of their reliability. But for cheap temporary transportation its a good car and gets relatively good gas mileage. Cheap to repair but nothing is extremely cheap. Engines arent too bad and the transmissions arent terrible either, but the body style is absolutely ugly and it rusts so quickly!

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  Adaptive Transmission and Poor Gas consumption issues - 2012 Ford Fiesta
  By coach_dizzy - June 26 - 10:37 am

  We purchased the 2012 Ford Fiesta SE (Auto) in August of last year. Since we have put on over 33,000 km on it. Never had a issue with until last week. While accelerating there seemed to be a slip or clunk in the transmission and there would be no acceleration for a very brief period of time. We also started to notice a dramatic drop in our MPG. The first 8 months of use we would get around 650km per tank of gas on a mixed driving terrain. Now we are lucky to push 425km per tank. Dealer says it was the ATC and said it is fixed now. We will see. I really hope the gas consumption gets resolved.

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  Great at first but awful now - 1997 Ford Escort
  By brendan12090 - June 20 - 11:53 pm

  I have had 3 escort models in my life span, so far the 96 wagon was the better of them all, I have a 98 escort wagon now and Ive had to replace everything, except for the engine. I love the gas mileage but the cost of repairs is starting to go through the roof and about to just junk it because the unibody is rotted and will not pass inspection and to think its 2013 and it barely has 95000 miles on it, amazing, anyways if you want reliability go foreign stay away from fords

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  RECALLED and REPURCHASED - 2013 Ford Escape
  By gb191 - June 18 - 8:54 am

  We bought our 2013 Escape last July, loved the the look of it, loved the interior and was hoping for great gas mileage with the EcoBoost engine... Well after two weeks it was recalled for engine fires. Ford had it for a week... Then at Thanksgiving it was recalled again...this time Ford had it for a month... Same issue.. In addition I think the engine, 1.6, is too small for the vehicle, the stated 22 mpg city is way way off... I am lucky if I get 16-17 locally. All I drive is local, we commute 13 miles each way through NYC, I was hoping the EcoBoost engine would be ideal... Boy was/am I surprised.. We have applied for Lemon Law and Ford will repurchase it soon.

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  Lemon - 2012 Ford Focus
  By richard4872 - June 17 - 3:11 pm

  Let me start by saying, I have the SE Sport with the Tuxedo Package. Black on Black. Gorgeous car. The first 25,000 miles in the car were awesome. It handled like a dream. My edition came with the wrap around Recaro seats. I even averaged 33 mpg at 80 mph. Heres the bad. At 25,000 miles, Ford rebuilt my first transmission and differential. At 32,000 they rebuilt my transmission again. Now it is at 40,000 miles and needs another. Heres the catch. The automatics arent true traditional automatics. They are manuals, but, the computer has a solenoid that pushes the clutch for you. Yes, I said clutch. Even worse, the clutch plates are cast and not forged. Thank god for the Lemon Law

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  The no torque, suspension, easiest to drive and give up car. - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By musicmitch - June 17 - 1:51 pm

  Suspension: Front independent, but rear only a beam in the back - it bottoms out on bumps. NO torque from A standstill - almost got into two accidents when trying to accelerate from a standstill. The gas economy is not 29/39. My trip computer after 6000 miles, says I get only 17mpg in the city and 28 on the highway - UNACCEPTABLE for such a light car. I challenge anyone from Ford to come and look at my trip computer. The rear seat is severely cramped. The rear windshield is harder to see out of at night. No center bin front seat. When Arm rest extended, it interferes with cup holders. Ambient lighting is a waste of money. Front door has a weight imbalance. Blind spot mirrors hard to use.

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  Repairs Already - 2012 Ford Fusion
  By gm771 - June 5 - 9:48 pm

  My Fusion was purchased new a year ago and I took it in for an oil change and tire rotation. I was told by the service department I need four new tires and an alignment at $1000 even though the car is only at 22,000 miles. I was told it was my fault I have to replace the tires because I drive "too hard". When I told the dealer this was my third Ford vehicle (all purchased new) and I never had to replace the tires this early I was told again it was my fault and not faulty tires. I will never buy a Ford again. They dont stand by their products and blame customers even though this is the fourth vehicle I have purchased new and didnt have this problem with the other three.

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  Leased 12 days ago, .... - 2013 Ford Focus
  By markmom18 - June 1 - 6:10 pm

  GRINDING TRANSMISSION. ROLLS BACK. In the shop as we speak....A.C. COMPRESSOR ORDERED, TO BE REPLACED. This is a brand NEW, 2013 Ford Focus SE. God, why didnt we research?? First were interested in Escape and Fusion,2013 models. We spoke to General Sales manager, after getting nothing but the company spiel from lease salesman. Bottom line : Transmission guy will take a look at Focus on Monday. We DO NOT want this car. Ford official stand is all the grinding, rolling backwards, etc is normal...Handles different, drive it 6 months, get used to the car.