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:

• 

  1992 Taurus wagon - 1992 Ford Taurus
  By Edgar Latrek - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I have two of these SW from 1992. Both have leaking steering. One has a dead air conditioner. One has a failing transmission. The inadequate air conditioning will freeze you on a cool morning and leave you sweating by 11:00 am. The rear defroster connection wires on both cars failed. Both have barely adequate cooling systems. AC fogs windows exactly where you need to look to see the side mirrors.

• 

  Taurus Review - 1997 Ford Taurus
  By hfbfive - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I Purhcased this vehicle with about 14 k on it. I just turned 186,000. I am just starting to have a problem that may be timing related, but I just passed RI emissions with great results, and still get 27 MPG on the highway. This car has been awesome, and impresses folks at the dealership. Besides the scheduled maint. religiously, I have installed a batt, brakes, tires, and a tension pully for the serp. belt. Everything else is original!

• 

  Great Value - 2000 Ford Taurus
  By MCSCI - September 20 - 2:00 am

  nice, reasonably priced wagon. more comfortable seats than Sable version

• 

  A good family car. - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By joe - September 19 - 6:26 pm

  The car drives very well. I have 3 kids and they have enough room for long trips. The trunk is big. In the snow it did very well. I do have two things I do not like. It lacks power and my dash has a bump in it that Ford says it cant fix. The bump showed up within 4000 miles.

• 

  Its not that bad - 2004 Ford Taurus
  By regassert - September 19 - 10:00 am

  First off, 52 Horses per Liter with normal aspiration is not really poor at all. The Ford Explorer with SOHC produces 52.5 horses per liter of displacement. So that being said, if youre going to buy a Taurus, I would get the Duratec DOHC engine option instead of the OHC 2 valve per cylinder V6 that the SE has. This car is good for what it aims to be good at, inexpensive and good enough. Ford seems to have resigned the Taurus to being a fleet car, which mine is, and thats ok.

• 

  2003 Cobra - 2003 Ford Mustang
  By chapmanal - September 19 - 10:00 am

  Have only had one mechanical failure. Twisted the rear axle shaft splines at the drag strip using drag slicks. This was not the fault of the vehicle. Normal driving would never do this.

• 

  5 - spd. ZTS 2.3L PZEV w/145 HP - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Tire Sniffer - September 19 - 10:00 am

  Ive only owned the ZTS for 2 weeks. So, far it has exceeded my expectations. The 2.3L PZEV engine has more torque than the Focus SVT engine. I test drove a Suzuki Aerio and Dodge Neon for comparison. Both are noisy and unrefined compared to the Focus. I hope that Ford has all the past reliability issues solved. With the $3K rebate, it is a good deal for less than $16K out the door.

• 

  A Mans Ride - 2004 Ford F-150
  By Fqgente - September 19 - 10:00 am

  This is one sweet ride. I am still in the honeymoon phase with my new Lariat, but let me tell you it is nice, very nice. The 5.4 engine runs like a swiss watch. Handles great, it feels like a luxury car. The 18 inch standard wheels make for a smooth ride. I really dont think the it is sluggish when going from a dead stop. I get on the freeway with no problem. let me tell you, if you want a great truck, this is it. This is truly a Mans ride.

• 

  2003 Expedition - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By Scott A. Shaw - September 19 - 10:00 am

  Comparing my 2001 Expedition to the 2003, the ride has signficantly improved. The dashboard seems somewhat boring and could be improved in the future with enhanced looks and perhaps more woodgrain. Seats seem to be a little smaller and legroom on drivers side seems tighter. All in all, Im happy to have the 2003 Expedition, having previously had a 2001 Expedition and a 1999 Navigator.

• 

  193,500 miles running perfect - 1993 Ford Ranger
  By schlager67 - September 19 - 2:00 am

  I had my ranger for six years and it was recently totaled. Up to this point it was running great. I bought it at 104,000 miles and it would still be on the rode with 193,500 miles if it werent for that 93 year old lady that hit me. The 90,000 miles I owned it I replaced the water pump, starter, timing belt and the fan belt. This was a very reliable truck. This was the 2.3L four cylinder!