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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  It Works for Me! - 2003 Ford Focus
  By marj - December 22 - 7:40 pm

  I really love this car - its fun to drive and very reliable. The only weird thing was that I had to have the (automatic) transmission replaced after only 25K (I bought it with 17K). Nobody - dealer or Ford - seems to know why this happened, but its been running fine ever since.

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  Love my Stang! - 2007 Ford Mustang
  By BebeZed - December 22 - 3:00 pm

  I am totally pleased and surprised by my new 2007 Mustang V6 coupe! For a V6, this car has a nice throaty sound, and the power is better than I expected with a V6. It easily attains (and uhhh...surpasses) freeway speeds. It handles very well too -- I love to take fast curves and so does this car. I am a large gal, so obviously I questioned whether or not this car would be spacious enough. I am pleased to report that not only is there enough room for me in the drivers seat but there is also sufficient room for my equally large daughter to sit in the back seat. In short, I highly recommend the 2007 V6 Mustang.

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  Embarassment to America - 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By scubajeff - December 22 - 11:43 am

  What in the heck are they thinking in Detroit? Ford has been making trucks for well on 100 years. This is the most uncomfortable truck I have ever been in. This truck is provided as a work vehicle and I hate to get in the thing. The YukonXL I was in previously was by far a more comfortable, good riding truck. This SUV, while being a smaller body, has no excuse not to have a more comfortable and well designed seat at least. Then add the cheap cheap leather, and interior which looks like its a year old already, and I can see why the big three reps apologized for building cheap cars. This wasnt cheap, but it sure is built that way. Fit and finish? What a joke. Never again Ford. Never.

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  Not too thrilled!! - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By swyatt - December 22 - 2:00 am

  Owned a 96 Windstar and 00 Windstar. 96 developed Transmission problems around 65,000k. Wouldnt shift properly after transmission was hot. The 00 needed some maintenance when I bought it, but ran fine for awhile. The power steering creaks really badly and I am afraid to take it in. I see a $400+ bill in my future. Also, transmission clunks most of the time when placed into gear. Check engine light came on again last week. Too many recalls

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  ONE OF THE BEST - 1993 Ford Thunderbird
  By G-MAN - December 22 - 2:00 am

  MY ONLY REGRET IS THAT FORD DOES NOT MAKE A CAR LIKE THIS ONE ANYMORE. MY ONLY COMPLAINT IS WITH THE BRAKES, ROTORS GO OUT OF ROUND AFTER 15000- 20000.

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  As Capable for My Purposes as a Rover - 2001 Ford Explorer
  By pprather - December 22 - 2:00 am

  The Explorer has been an excellent automobile. Gas mileage leaves much to be desired. However, the ride is extremely comfortable. Much more so than my fathers Mercury Mountaineer which is based on the same platform. Mine has the 18 inch wheels and the load levelling which I believe contributes to the much more comfortable ride.

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  Good utility car - 1991 Ford Taurus
  By l1049g - December 22 - 2:00 am

  Basically a good car. Hatch lid came from factory misfitted to car and cannot be corrected. Air conditioner and head gaskets replaced at 55,000 miles, but otherwise average on repair.

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  Love my excursion - 2000 Ford Excursion
  By Willie Miller - December 22 - 2:00 am

  I asked several owners about the reliability and gas milage before I purchased an Excursion and got rave reviews from all on reliability and service problems. Gas milage is nothing to write home about but you can load everybody and their stuff and go wherever you want. The thing is built like a tank and rides quite well. I anticipate owning it many years. One of the people I questioned bought his from a state auction and drove it 100,000+ miles and had to have something with the wipers fixed(something due to the speed variable setting, I figured). If this was all, since most new cars have several bugs(especially the debut model like this one is) I was sold.

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  The Perfect Vehicle - 2002 Ford F-150
  By Naudtz - December 21 - 6:20 pm

  There is no vehicle out on the planet that can match performance, safety, and work capacity of a Lightning. Sure, the there are faster cars out there, but lets see a Camaro, Corvette, M3, M5 come out of a racetrack and haul a 5000lb. boat. Good luck.

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  Gm will have trouble going against this - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By John D - December 21 - 3:36 pm

  Got this car in April 2006 and its everything you could ask for. It has a 300 horse engine; buy a blower and will increase horsepower up to 456 if you wanted to. No lag on throttle and awesome radio; door panels cant take it with all the bass this car gives out. Everything you could ask for is right here. Car companies like GM and Chrysler have been making cars to go against a Mustang GT, but they have all been left in the dust. 0-60 in just 5 seconds is well worth it.