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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  2002 Ford Lightning - 2002 Ford F-150
  By Debenham - July 18 - 2:00 am

  I was totally happy with my purchase of this truck through a non SVT Ford dealer. The local SVT dealer manager was a pompus jerk and there is no way I would give him my business. Like the truck and look forward to buying the new 2004 edition with 500 HP!

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  Not very high quaility - 1993 Ford Ranger
  By Mark Crosier - July 17 - 2:00 am

  Truck needs a lower 1st gear.At about 100,000 miles,everything started breaking,power windows,door locks,overheating problems etc.I have been a mechanic for 20 years and have done way more maintance than the average consumer.Also from day one the plastic interior started falling apart.

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  SPARK PLUG BLOWS OUT #3 - 1999 Ford Expedition
  By RON BLONIGEN - July 17 - 2:00 am

  DRIVEING IN TRAFFIC STARTED TO MOVE AGAIN THIS TRUCK MADE A NOISE LIKE THE WHOLE BOTTOM END WAS COMING APART,CALLED FORD PARTS HOUSE THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT FORD NOISE ABOUT AND HAS A UPDATED PART FOR THE PROBLEM I CALL THE 800 HELP LINE THE PERSON WHO I TALKED TO TOLD ME THAT AT THIS TIME FORD HAS A TSB ON THE PART AND THAT FORD IS JUST TRYING TO MAKE A BETTER PART FOR THE CUSTUMER. THIS REPAIR COST ME 1800.00 TO HAVE FIXED IM FAR FROM THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS THIS PROBLEM JUST LOOK ON LINE

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  96 contour - 1996 Ford Contour
  By ptemplin7 - July 15 - 2:00 am

  To many repairs plus the dealership is as bad as they come. Way to many warrenty repairs. Selling tires and others had to be replaced only 30K miles in. As someone once rated this this is a poor quality car. Hopefully they have corrected in later models.

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  Do not Buy a Taurus with the 3.8L - 1992 Ford Taurus
  By Gene Williamson - July 14 - 2:00 am

  I have owned two Taurus, one with a 3.0 and one with 3.8L. The auto with the 3.0 was a great car. The engine and transmission ran great. Then I purchased a Taurus with the big 3.8L in 1999 with 70k miles on it. I have had transmission problems from day one. The orginal transmission was repaired three times and replaced last year and now it is having problems. Buy the 3.0 stay clear of the 3.8.

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  should be named "Contortion"... - 1995 Ford Contour
  By Contortionist - July 13 - 2:00 am

  ...since this is what you do when working on it. Engine/transaxle/accessories extremely mechanic-unfriendly to service. Automatic transaxle failure at 120k (an expensive part and labor to replace.)

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  1st American car and Last! - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By bkatt1 - July 13 - 2:00 am

  Got this vehicle from the used car lot at Courtsey in Tampa and in hopes to be fair( to what I have read to be a fairly decent vehicle), I will never buy a car from that dealership again much less a Ford. Problems from the word go. And too many mechanicle challanges with this vehicle with only 48K miles.

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  better buy the extended warranty - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By hotmom - July 9 - 2:00 am

  we have 50 k miles on our van, heres what we have replaced: transmission at 35k, brake sensor, heater, power steering twice, fuel regulator, transmission sensor, tailgate lifter?, lots of little stuff, and big stuff. Our extended warranty has paid for itself. Has a hard time staying aligned. Our service center is really good and helpful-thank goodness since we see them every other month. buy a Honda

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  dont by this ford windstar - 1995 Ford Windstar
  By willow - July 4 - 2:00 am

  worst mistake made. two engines within two years.we had bad costumer service were we bought car at fairview ford san bernardino,and to moss brother ford colton.the 1st engine at 67,000 miles 2nd engine only lasted to 52,000 on the new engine so disappointed in ford . hundreds of people with same problem. took in for the 2nd time it was running the engine light was on after they took it apart without my permission atMOSS BROTHERS FORD, COLTON. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME 4,000 A NEW ENGINE OR $1,800 TO THROW IT BACK TOGETHER. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED OUT . in the back was boxes of my engine they refused to put back together.

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  Clutch Unbelievably Bad - 1996 Ford Explorer
  By bhburton - July 3 - 2:00 am

  Stiff clutch must be pushed all the way to the floor, still doesnt quite disengage. Miserable to shift from neutral to 1st at stoplight. Wont enter 1st without great effort. But its my first SUV and I love sitting higher where I can see the traffic!