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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  Ive had my Focus for over a year now.. - 2009 Ford Focus
  By jasebduke3435 - July 30 - 2:22 pm

  Im like everyone who owns a Ford Focus and cant complain about them. I have a 2009 Ford Focus SEL. I love everything about it. Especally love the Sirius Satellite Radio. I cant go anywhere without listening to it. My mom and dad helped me buy it. It was a birthday gift. My dad was dead set against it. He kept bugging and nagging about how about a Hyundai, Chevy, Toyota, ANYTHING BUT A FORD was his very words. Finally made him come out of his stubborn shell. We went to the dealership where it was, we took a test drive, and he never complained about it ever. How can anyone complain if you can put a full tank of gas and your good for the next 300-400 miles.

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  2013 Ford Explorer Base model Needed the Space - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By mario_escobedo - July 30 - 9:20 am

  Just traded in my 2012 Dodge Journey (one of the worst cars I have ever bought - Never again). I was looking at a Pilot, Tahoe and Explorer. Went into the dealer on Saturday morning and test drove it. Fell in love almost immediately. I am a fairly big guy, so I needed the room. While driving I noticed that I didnt feel cramped, had plenty of leg room. I thought, this seat must be pushed all the way to the back, but NO. Back seat passengers had plenty of leg room. For family with plenty of people, this is the car for you!

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  Automatic Transmission problem - 2013 Ford Edge
  By thax8844 - July 29 - 1:36 pm

  I bought a 2013 ford Edge with Ecobost. From the day I drove it off the lot the transmission shifted with a very loud clunk when shifting from 1st to 2nd I took it back to the dealer and they are trying to fix it. They must jump through all of Fords hoops, This is causing me a lot of frustration because I can not drive the car. I really think the fix is to install a new transmission and let Ford play with the old one on their own time not mine. I have owned at least 8 Ford cars and this is the first screwed up one I have ever owned.

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  What is up with these windows? This will be my last - 2010 Ford Expedition
  By ksimon1115 - July 27 - 6:45 pm

  This is my 3rd and most expensive expedition. I bought a Limited edition with almost every option available. One thing that had frustrated me with the Expedition is the power windows. Forget these lemons opening during the winter. None of them open when the weather is cold. Now, in the middle of summer, my passenger side window has failed. A week later, my driver side window has failed. Im looking at over $700 in repairs on power windows that continue to work on every other model car in the world! This, on a $55,000 car less than 2 years old. Ford could use their celebrated profits and hire an engineer who can design a power window that actually works! My last Expedtion.

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  My Flex - 2011 Ford Flex
  By colman1 - July 27 - 10:02 am

  Test drove the Durango, Pilot, Explorer, Edge, 4Runner,Highlander, MDX,Tahoe. Then there was the Flex. We loved the Flex but something was holding us back. It did everything better than everything we drove, is it the look? I kept telling my wife Form=Function, that is the beauty of the Flex. It is more than just skin deep. We still held back, looked at the competition but the Flex kept calling us back. Which of these has the luxury, space, utility, style, technology and performance we wanted. None. Back to the Flex. Found a used 2011 SEL, bought it and love it. Dont miss out the Flex is great.

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  Its an expensive toy - 2011 Ford Mustang
  By jenrobsdad - July 26 - 11:24 pm

  I have a convertible and like it, but I feel the price for the V-6 Premium was about $5K too much and I bought it used. I have only had it three weeks and was a victim of a nasty hit and run while I was in a store so it sits in the shop. It will be interesting how it will hold up after being repaired. My girlfrield loves taking it on tight curves so I think this will be more her favorite car than mine. I miss my 2011 Fusion SEL. Much better bang for the buck.

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  German to American - 2012 Ford Mustang
  By torts - July 26 - 9:48 pm

  Alread forgot my bmw 1 series convertible. Enter the mustang gt convertible premium. This car is jam packed with value. The car has great ergonomics, the sync system works flawlessly, the engine is a beast of beasts and shocked me with its pure power and torque. I expected the interior of car to be cheaply made. But to my surprise the car is beautifully appointed and laid out smartly. Not cheaply done at all. The shaker stereo rocks. Crisp highs and nice lows with no distortion. Bluetooth is amazing works great with the top down and wind blowing at 60 mph. Car handles great and has a great bite on the road. No doubt you get more car then a bmw and save over 10k. Its a no brainer.

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  02 GT convertible Good & Bad.... For 2012 - 2002 Ford Mustang
  By flashycarluv - July 26 - 10:37 am

  ive had the car for almost 2 years and have had 3 engines in it., Driver window fail, fuel pump failed, CD player failed and the transmission has small leak. i love the car& dont really plan on ever selling. but its not recommended for a daily driver, its not very reliable but its 10+ years old. But for a fun top down weekend warrior its great. and its idea for customization. I know more than 10 people with the same style mustang GT, and they have problems too, but still love them. if you buy one I recommend having $2-3k set aside for future repairs. MPG isnt great either I average 15MPG combined... But it works for me because I only drive the car maybe once a month.

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  Not safe to drive on hills!! - 2012 Ford Fiesta
  By disappionted60 - July 25 - 1:08 pm

  I have always been happy with Fords - until I bought this Fiesta 2 months ago. I dont drive in the mountains, just some hills. There is a stop light at the base of the driveway into the place I work. The car cannot reach the 35 mph speed limit!! I stay in 2nd gear - the tach is over 3500 rpms - shift to 3rd and it slows down! Same problem on the highway - its ok if Im dong 60+ but otherwise, I watch the mph go down. down shifting doesnt do any good. Its a busy road with lots of semis. Dealer says its normal, nothing wrong with the car. I need to learn how to downshift. I have a co-worker with an automatic Fiesta hatchback... has the same problems.

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  2 time transmission victim - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By wjohnstone74 - July 24 - 1:17 pm

  I owned this truck for 4 years. In that time it blew two transmissions, all the wheel bearings, two sets of brakes all around, broke a rear spring, cracked rear hatch plastic, seized steering column, two doors that would not close in cold weather, a door that would not lock, a blown coil probably other things too. One of the worst cars I have ever known, reliability wise. I did really enjoy driving it, engine was a fuel pig but really smooth. 4wd worked ok, it was basically full time, but only with rear wheel slippage. I tried to get help from Ford when the second tranny blew, but nope. So to heck with them, I own all Japanese now (Ridgeline and Lexus) and they are nearly flawless