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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  Great handling V8 - 1995 Ford Thunderbird
  By mnourse1 - August 3 - 10:28 pm

  I stole this car at $850, charged the a/c and put in an upgardede soundsystem, it goes like a rocket..has a few small rust issue, but that is ohio.. The car runs like a scalded rabbit, tranny shift strong and tight. I think the last owner put a shift kit in it,, Cupholders are NOt very convenient..

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  No Focus - 2001 Ford Focus
  By tinkeredout - August 3 - 7:39 pm

  Do your self a big favor and buy something else. This car (if you could call it that, should be yellow). I have been a mechanic for more than 28 years. This car is not built to last more than 50k.

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  Pretty Good Car until 130K! - 2002 Ford Escape
  By dragonfly58 - August 3 - 12:42 pm

  Purchased my Escape used w/80K miles on it. Three years later w/150K Im now having BIG problems. Before it hit 130K the car was great! No problems, fun to drive, but now having big problems with E-Vap codes, check engine light always on, fuel hoses replaced, plugs/wires/coils burnt out, back seat release broke, falling apart all at once, cruise control wont work, CD player died, interior falling apart. Mileage horrible, no where near projected, getting 17-19mpg at best. Drivers seat wearing out, no cush left, but lumbar adjust ok. Have always had problems w/cargo door staying locked for days on end, the pits when groceries loaded & you gotta unload over back of seat.

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  DONT BUY FORD - 2005 Ford Taurus
  By kimberly18 - August 2 - 9:26 pm

  I have had nothing but trouble with this car since day 1!!! The paint is peeling off all over the car, forever replacing the brakes, the gauges dont work and to top it all off TRANSMUTATION went out !!! My car only has 80000 miles go figure.............ford seen me coming!! I would not recommend anyone to purchase a ford vehicle they DO NOT stand behind there vehicles. There have been too many complaints about the tarus alone and they will do nothing about them!!! I was on my way to my mothers radiation and the car just died no sign of nothing just wont go the cars engine runs but the car wont go!! To have it fixed its going to cost more then the value of the vehicle............

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  Two weeks old and already water damage - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By ces42 - August 1 - 10:17 pm

  I must admit, I really love this car. This is my third new car purchase. My last car was a 2005 Honda CRV, and the 2013 Explorer is a great upgrade providing plenty of space for my family. However, after owning the car for only two weeks, following a heavy rain, I was hearing what sounded like water sloshing around in the car doors and dashboard. I also discoverd that the carpet underneath the driver door was saturated. I took the car back to the dealer today and was told its unusual to happen in a new car, and that I must have parked it under a tree to cause a clog?!? In any event, after indicating it was fixed, its not. I dont know if this is a model defect, or just my bad luck.

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  Microsoft Sync wont run Windows WMA songs? - 2013 Ford Edge
  By sync - July 31 - 8:10 pm

  Latest technology but Windows 7 audio songs .wma fail to run unless I set Windows Media Player to rip MP3 CD to my USB flash drive. This media file is protected and cannot be accessed... Thank you FORD & Microsoft... I mean has nobody at Ford upgraded their computer to Windows 7 released in 2009? I guess the My Ford Touch issues persist to make its customers guinea pigs... Im still hoping to see if its a better built car over time.

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  One Phrase: The Best - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By bosshog85 - July 31 - 2:59 pm

  I bought this truck as the 2nd owner with 130K miles on it. The 5.0L V8 engine is a huge plus and the transmission shifts smoothly still. I still do notice the common problems in it like the radio display on the Mach stereo system going out and the rear wiper only working about 50% of the time, but theyre only minor problems. The leather seats have really held out well over the years and is built to last! The premium Mach stereo system is definitely a plus with the nice bass it booms out :] Probably going to run this truck until it dies. This truck is definitely a great example of Fords amazing quality and superiority. Would recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  Love my car - 2013 Ford Focus
  By jenalfaro23 - July 31 - 12:01 am

  I searched online for my new car, i wasnt sure what car I was looking for all i wanted was something that wasnt going to break my wallet. I submitted information to Galpin Ford and was contact within 30 minutes by Bernard Durazo. I came in for a test drive and before you know it i was in love with my car!!! It is super cute and drives very smooth. Thank you for all your help and answeing all my questions.

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  The car that will always be my first car - 1995 Ford Taurus
  By cj95 - July 30 - 8:56 pm

  Beautiful! i love my 95 se, it has 366,728 mile andlooks like it just rolled out of the showroom, and it runs great! it never gave me a single problem, never replaced the engine or trans and have owned it since 05

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  Poor Choice in Vehicle - 2010 Ford Fusion
  By csoull - July 30 - 5:36 pm

  I purchased my 2010 Fusion SEL used in 2010 with 22k miles on it. At first I really enjoyed my car, but then the transmission flares started. The first time I took it in under warranty they kept my car for 26 days because the part was on back order. The second time I had a problem out of it they had it for 13 days. I replaced the rear brakes at 40k because they were horrible. I have replaced the front tires twice because one tire wears unevenly and would not pass inspection. The third time I had a problem I took it to the dealership I purchased it from and they bought it back from me for more than I owed. I am now the happy owner of a 2012 Malibu and will not own a Ford ever again.