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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  Wensday Job - 1996 Ford Ranger
  By j30r - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I have throughly tried to beat the tires off this truck. It wont quit. The only things I have had to replace were oil,oil filters, sparkplugs, thermostat. Which as anyone knows are parts that wear out normally. I remimber when drove it by my fiends house, his dad, remarked after what i have put that truck through it must havew been a wensday job.

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  Just give me a reason to drive it! - 1998 Ford Mustang
  By gstang46 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  This was one of the last Mustangs of its style when I bought it. I have had it now for just over four years and have had no problems, even after all of the mods that I completed. You know the mods that every Mustang loves (gears, shifter, exhaust, sub-frame connectors, throttle body, mass air meter, rear anti-sway bar,and a Vortech Supercharger. We can not forget the supercharger cause mustangs just love them. Plus many more additions that I have blessed the car with. All I have to say is that even after all that, the car can still be driven like a normal car with no problems and on a regular maintance schedule.

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  Red Focus - 2012 Ford Focus
  By zak404 - September 4 - 7:18 am

  Just picked up my Race Red Focus three weeks ago.Love the colour,satellite radio and stereo. I bought the sedan over the hatch as it seemed to have less wind-noise and looked sportier to me. Car has been very good to this point,good pickup,great gas millage and still a head turner unlike Focus of previous years. This is my third Focus from wagon to mid-life crisis! Still has some wind-noise and rattles as is befitting the Ford tradition.

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  SATISFIED - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By SATISFIED - September 4 - 2:00 am

  THE VAN HAS 107,000 MILES ON. DROVE IT TO CALIFORNIA TWICE AND TWICE TO ORLANDO NO PROBLEM. NEVER BEEN TO A DEALER FOR MAJOR REPAIR. I DO MY OWN REGULAR OIL, TRANS FLUID MAINT AND OTHER MINOR MAINT. I THINK IT WOUD LAST FOR ANOTHER 100,000 MILES

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  Good Power, but..... - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By revgod - September 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought this to pull my 19 Robalo fishing boat here and there, which it does SURPRISINGLY well. Took it 585 miles to Lake Powell, no problem) Worked a little hard on the grades, but maintained 60mph most of the time, AND managed about 12mpg. I added an air lift airbag suspension system which is a MUST. It was 100 degrees, and the temp. guage never budged! That 5.0 V8 is pretty outstanding. BUT....man, this thing rides HARSH.... even after new, softer shocks, it beats ya up a bit. But hey, its a truck. The check engine light comes on frequently, indicating a faulty gas cap. One of the o2 sensors needed replacing at about 55,000 miles.

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  shame - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By kerry - September 4 - 2:00 am

  as this vehicle gets older in drives very tinny. needed new tranny at 40 k miles which is crazy.gas milage is very poor for a 6 cylender and i get it in very good shape and well maintienced. for a vehicle at a cost of over 25k its not worth it.

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  I love my Festiva - 1992 Ford Festiva
  By tpmillerusa - September 4 - 2:00 am

  180K miles and still going strong. WOuld be happier with the 5-speed, but I still cant kick about the MPG!

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  Going from like to love - 2001 Ford Excursion
  By biggest of em all - September 4 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I purchased a 2001 Ford Excursion in April of 2002. no ac AND TO FIX IT WOULD BE A TUNE OF $950.00. Then in May I ran into something different, A HOLE IN THE CYLINDER BLOCK WHICH WOULD HAVE COST OVER $7,200. FOR PARTS AND LABOR BUT WAS ONLY $100.00

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  fun to drive - 1997 Ford F-150
  By s cook - September 4 - 2:00 am

  fun to drive . i have lots of fun in my truck.we go camping, fishing,hunting,and somtimes alittle bit of offroading.

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  Lemon - 1999 Ford Contour
  By mlosasso - September 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used with 400 miles on it. Two engines and $6,000 later, it is still (barley) going. My mechanic, as well as my independent research online, tell me that this car had serious issues and should have had recalls associated with the engine. In lieu of this, I plan to drive it as long as it will go to get my moneys worth, if possible.