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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  [non-permissible content removed] - 2012 Ford Focus
  By maniac4 - May 15 - 9:51 am

  The automated transmissionn says it all. For those of you who love the car be patient, It wont be long before the tranny goes ka-putt. I really liked this car till it started messing up. Gas mileage is hard to get a number. /you would have to ask the dealer or FOMOCO cause they have it more than me. What a let down.Sad. But thats normal after all. the grinding, normal,the slipping clutches normal. the screwings we got normal. the I dont knows. normal. Screw me once shame on you. screw me twice shame on me.DO NOT PURCHASE THIS CAR.

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  Bad and Worse - 2001 Ford Focus
  By pc1967 - May 12 - 6:46 pm

  Basically purchased it used for $3200, 20k miles later, after regular oil changes and sensible driving habits. It dropped the #4 valve seat effectively destroying the head and piston below the valve. This was the 2.0 SPI a.k.a split port engine. Do not buy a 01 Focus if the 8th VIN digit is a letter P without signed documented proof from the dealer that the valve seats have been replaced with the improved design period!! Ford should have seriously recalled this vehicle from the start. The only good thing that came out of this is, that I purchased a Toyota Yaris after this heap blew up. If Ford gave me a shiny new Focus, Id sell it and get another Toyota right there on the lot.

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  Such a LEMON!! - 2012 Ford Fiesta
  By rebel_gurl314 - May 1 - 2:02 pm

  I bought my 2012 Ford Fiesta in Jan 2013 and it had 5,000 miles on it. 3 days after I brought it home I had it back to the shop due to the transmission was slipping, the car made horrible grinding noises (like in jeepers creepers when the girl didnt know how to get the car in the correct gears) and it would not pull a hill. I was told the car was fine and nothing was wrong with it. From then on out I have had the car at the shop 8 times would be more but they wouldnt take the car, ever time I was told nothing was wrong with the car. There is something defiantly wrong with the transmission and FORD knows it but they dont want to take responsibility for it!

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  Worst investment ever!!! DONT BUY!!! - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By sparlz17 - May 1 - 2:34 am

  I bought this car in august 2010.. my first car ive ever bought and Its been ok for the first 20,000kms.. you have to drive it decently cuz if you drive the RPMS up to much it will give your car problems. I have to say though recently I just had the car in the shop the past 3 weeks for RPM problems.. My car would basically drive itself.. I would sit in first gear at a complete stop and my RPM would revv all the way up to 3000 rpms.. its not a safe car at all. Only thing I would say is good about this car is the gas mileage.. thats about it. 100% DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!! I cant wait to sell it and get a honda civic and never have to deal with this problem.

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  Serious Engine problems - 2006 Ford Fusion
  By fusionowner05 - April 24 - 2:49 pm

  1 month after I purchased my used Ford Fusion I had to replace the entire engine due to there being NO OIL in my engine...?? They couldnt find out where its going or what is wrong with it. My warranty that I purchased covered the replacement with another used engine...I kept up with repairs and oil changes. 1.5yrs later it is devoid of oil AGAIN, and I am told I need another new engine...?? Im done with the car, and have began seeking legal counsel since the Ford Dealership wont do anything for me. Suggestions about this situation is welcome!

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  Regretting leasing the 2013 XLT V6 All-Wheel-Drive - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By missfc - April 23 - 9:38 am

  38 yr old female owner of the 2013 XLT 4WD-V6 since 04/05/13. Very disappointed with the purchase. Ride quality is very harsh over potholes, you feel and hear all potholes. Road noise is loud on old and rough stretches of NJ roads. Poor sound insulation. Headlights are not bright enough. No remote start or push-button start on the XLT costing $39,040. 2nd row seats are small, do not provide enough comfort, thigh support to adults. 3rd row very hard and heavy to fold and unfold. Jerky transmission going uphill. Fit and finish is very poor -- door molding, seals, compared to my 2010 VW. Steering buttons are very cheap quality. Gas tank door does not lock.

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  Not a dependable vehicle. Move on to something else - 2013 Ford Escape
  By roggom - April 19 - 5:52 pm

  My escape is very glichy. Sometimes the radio will not work, or the remotes do not work. The next day they will be fine. It is not the restricted driver feature, as I got very familiar with that garbage very qucikly. The first week I had the car, the rear hatch handle (used to close the hatch) came completly off. I did not yank it just pulled down and it came off in my hand. Yes, the car is zippy on dry road, but you get into a few inches of snow or mud and this silly vehicle will bog down and start slowing down. It must have some anti-slip slow down feature as all it does it make it impossible to move. ON heavy snow days I can not park in my own driveway.

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  Life with the escape - 2013 Ford Escape
  By bbgun1 - April 18 - 8:58 pm

  10,000 miles now. Rides better but still poor. Poor controls and you can not turn on the front wiper with out turning on the rear. Oor fuel economy. It now gets 22 mpg on the highway and 22 around town. various electrical glitches. Radio stays on when car is locked and doors are closed. No passing gear after 60 mph. would not recomend this car to anyone.

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  Transmission for the 3rd time, 99,000 miles - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By haringbastos - April 11 - 10:51 pm

  I wish I never bought this van... Transmission failed 3 times!!!. Driving 65 miles per hour then all of a sudden fail. Always in the shop every month for something. Good looking van but it is actually junk and scary to use.

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  Absolute piece of garbage - 2003 Ford Focus
  By invisiblekid87 - April 3 - 1:45 pm

  Bought the car back in 2011, used, about 65,000 miles on it. I should be able to get some life out of it, right? Wrong. About 4 months later, the alternator had to be changed. Figured that was normal - took it for inspection in June of 2012 - needed a tune-up. Then - the ignition started sticking, got to the point where I was coming out of a hair appointment and the car would not start. Had to call a mechanic - $400 dollars to get the ignition fixed! Now - the batterys drained and my transmission is sticking. I have no clue how much its gonna be, but the car has been sitting in the driveway for about 3 months and I refuse to put another dime into it. Good riddance.