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 little car buy parts too expensive - 1994 Ford Aspire
  By allan - September 25 - 2:00 am

  Nothing bad to say about this car...very reliable....great mileage...i have had it for 3 years with very little problems...i have to let it go cause i need springs and struts but they cost more than the value of the car!!! I really hate to let my aspire go...would reccommend it to anyone...just the parts are the only prob

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  a pleasant surprise - 1995 Ford Contour
  By N.R.Mills - September 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car as a throw-away in 1997 with 69k miles on it. Here I am eight years and 100k miles later and its still going. I call it the zombie because the thing JUST WONT DIE! Thats a good thing. Its been so reliable that Ive almost come around to the Ford brand name.

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  good - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By gonzolla - September 25 - 2:00 am

  the windstar is a great minivan, the 3.8l provides plenty of power a bigger motor than most, bigger is not always better but in this case its close, it also has the nicest rims you can get and 5 star crash test 9 years and runnin, theyre doing something right

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  tommy royce -ford windstar - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By tommyr - September 25 - 2:00 am

  great minivan.roomy and powerful

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  Mustang - 2003 Ford Mustang
  By New York Jeff - September 24 - 10:00 am

  Very very fun car to drive. Gas miliage is not that great, but you cant expect much from a V8. Tremendous amount of power.

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  Great Car! - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Chris Rupp - September 24 - 10:00 am

  Just has been a great car overall. Have never had to take it in for any un-scheduled maintence. Very funny to drive. Even after 41,000 miles in that little time I have never had any problems at all with it.

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  1998 Windstar GL - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By afrazzano - September 24 - 2:00 am

  I like to maintain my automobiles myself. I change oil, antifreeze and transmission fluid on a regular maintanence schedule. After 80,000 miles, Ive had the car to a mechanic for two non-maintanence repairs. My wife drives it regularly and refused to allow me to upgrade it in 2000 when the lease was up. We have been very happy with it and find it inexpensive to own. We have been very happy with it.

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  A Ford for the Family - 2003 Ford Windstar
  By RRSimplex - September 24 - 2:00 am

  Great Van. Dont let some of the hype about reliability scare you. I am more comfortable sending my family out in the van than any we test drove. My wife loved it the first moment she pulled out on the highway. Its driver visabily is great.

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  MY T BIRD - 2002 Ford Thunderbird
  By JESSE JAYNES SR - September 24 - 2:00 am

  BEEN WAITING SCINCE 1955. (AS I TELL ALL ME & SANDRA DEE) SEEN HER IN A MOVIE WHEN I WAS A KID DRIVING A 1955 TQUIOS (W PORT HOLE) HAD TO HAVE IT. ABSOLUTLY THE BEST MR JESSE JAYNES SR

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  Hanzies T-Bird - 2002 Ford Thunderbird
  By Hanzie - September 24 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this car on E Bay...it had 1401 miles on it..we flew to NY, saw the car, took it around the block and purchased it. Im 58 and my wife is 54...we are about as tall as a new T-bird owner should be. We love the T-Bird, however, it has limited trunk space. We drove the car back to Panama City Beach Florida and had a great trip.