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 body- crappy engine - 2002 Ford Focus
  By rented a focus - March 21 - 8:13 pm

  On a recent trip to California I was actually kind of excited when the guy at Hertz said I was getting a ford focus. I really like how the focus looks and as shallow as it may sound, they have a great ad campaign. However, my opinion instantly changed when I got the thing on the road. I wasnt expecting sports car performance, but this car is so underpowered I found it dangerous on the California freeway. The engine also whined like an annoying comedian whenever I attempted to accelerate. It was significantly worse than four cylinder fords Ive owned in the past. It might be a little better with a stick shift.

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  Heartbreak - 1995 Ford Mustang
  By Heartbroken - March 20 - 2:00 am

  I LOVED my car eventhough I seemed to have to do more to keep it running. Until the head gasket blew. The mechanic told me the 3.8 V6 was famous for this defect! Ill never own another Ford

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  Worst Vehicle Ive Ever Owned - 1996 Ford Explorer
  By Fed Up With Ford - March 19 - 2:00 am

  If anyone is looking for a pre-owned SUV, avoid this one at all costs. With 73,000 miles, Ive had axle and steering problems, replaced the water pump, thermostat, ball joints and now need a head gasket. Im probably forgetting a bunch of things. The transmission fluid is burnt and probably close to going. Time to dump this one and go foreign.

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  Not bad for 175k miles.. - 1997 Ford Escort
  By gLaze - March 18 - 2:00 am

  I picked the car up for 700$ with 175k miles on it. To hold me over till i got a new car. Ive driven it every day for about a year, about 50+ miles a day. And after 175k the only things wrong w/ it were wheel bearings needed replacing, and the rear spring was broken. And the tranny is acting up now.. but not TOO bad. All in all a reliable car.

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  Works ok but so many little problems - 2005 Ford Freestar
  By IRISBRAMBLE - March 17 - 12:49 pm

  Bought this car after my brand new jeep was totaled in a car accident that was not my fault. I bought straight out from my mechanic it had 90,000 miles on it. Never of the electric sliding doors work right they get stuck, they dont open, or open again after closing. Power locks sometimes dont work, and the alarm sometimes goes off for no reason. The tire light is constantly on and it burns oil, I have had the fuel system and lines goes several times, and converter went as well. The most annoying thing is about 6 months ago I lost all radio reception and just a week ago my front windshield wipers stopped working. I have had this van almost 3 years and it still runs so I cant get rid of it but i wish I could.

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  Be ware before you purchase a Ford Car - 2000 Ford Taurus
  By enb74 - March 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car for me and my wife in 2000. Though the ride and comfortable level is good the Fort Taurus numerous amount of problems is a killer. My NEW car had a leak in the steering pump, a leak in the ABS and ABS pump needed to be replaced. I had a leak on the interior passenger side. I send several letters to Ford Motor who never responded. I owned a Chevy before and I wanted to stay with Domestic cars, but at the level of service provided by Ford, I believe they lost another good costumer.

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  My car - 1996 Ford Taurus
  By Vince0014 - March 16 - 2:00 am

  This car was given to me by my parents when I turned 18, and was about to head to college. Now it is my everyday driving car, taking to and fro where I need to go. It gives the impression of a family car, so of course I cant use it to impress any ladies, but it does get me where I need to go. I have had problems with the engine, specifically the electrical ignition system. The first actual problem since being under my possession. I enjoy my taurus and take great pride in being an owner.

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  Fun , but be ready to spend money repair - 2004 Ford Focus
  By Nip - March 14 - 10:00 am

  I loved my Focus the first year, great handling. After that, I started having problems with the engine. They told me I was using the wrong gas (premium is bad, regular is good), and need to clean it up, my fault so no warranty and they charge me around $550...4 months later, problems with the brakes, pay $500. 1 year later, I problems with brakes again and some with engine injection. The injection, I suspect was the same old problem, but now it was a re-call (It has like 7 recalls since I bought it) the brakes cost me another $650 bucks. Know I am selling it, and believe me I not getting another Ford, much less a Focus.

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  Long time Ford owner, not impressed - 2004 Ford F-150
  By Todd55 - March 14 - 10:00 am

  Well, Ive driven my new F-150 about 10,000 mi. since Dec.03. This truck has problems: 1: With humidity or rain, the truck "self-accelerates" Yes, thats right like from 60mph, all of a sudden it is going 80. Ford acknowledged they had a problem but no repair for it yet 2: After a carwash,hard to start 3: Rattles everywhere. Brake pedal has a really annoying rattle, the leather back seat vibrates against the window, and the drivers window squeals when it goes down. 4: The truck is a $37,000 truck and it came with cheap-ass tires. No Goodyears like my 97 had which got 108,000 miles on the first set.

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  big money pit - 2000 Ford Econoline Wagon
  By kryss - March 13 - 2:46 pm

  I bought the van because we do alot of camping. I just paid it off in October of this year. Since Last year I have easily put 6K into the van. Alternator, tie rods, bearings, front end problems, transmission, Calipers, gear shift box, sensors, fuel pump, weird stuff like, "regulating bleeder valve". I love the van and the ride, just cant afford it anymore. It is seriously putting me in debt.