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:

• 

  Happy - 1996 Ford Explorer
  By config - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Purchased it used but had nothing but positive experiences with it. Now has 110K reliable miles on it.

• 

  More time in shop than on road - 1996 Ford Explorer
  By bisjoe - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Bought at 80k miles,after 2 weeks had check engine light, turned out to be cracked head. Determined to be factory defect! Had head replaced, new one sucked a valve into piston. Dealer paid for new long block. Since then had another check engine light, apparently tech damaged gasket on EGR when swapping engine. Paranoid now, always looking for that orange "check engine".

• 

  Problems with console in dash - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By Brenda - July 8 - 2:56 pm

  Overall, I really enjoy the Five Hundred, but there are some problems. The lid on the console in the dash bubbles in the heat/sun. Ive seen it on 6 of 8 new Five Hundreds on the sales lot at the dealership. Ive had mine replaced 3 times in as many months. Ive also had to have the transmission fixed after only 5,000 miles. The vehicle hasnt been the same since. If Ford can work out the kinks, this car will by FAR be an incredible vehicle!

• 

  Shop for deals - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By miller - July 8 - 2:03 pm

  I am a Canadian owner. Looks, drive and interior a-ok. Mileage great--rated for 25 mpg on highway. Getting about 28 mpg on a Canadian gallon (@60-65MPH) which is about 21 mpg on a Us gallon. Owned an Infinity QX4 for about the same list price. Had it for 14 months and sold it into the US for almost what I paid for it. $48,000.00 Canadian minus tax. Bought demo Eddie Bauer for $33, 000.00 Canadian.

• 

  reliable - 1996 Ford Explorer
  By sugar04em - July 8 - 2:00 am

  All in all, this has been a very reliable vehicle. It is my dads car, but Im the only one who drives it and its my first car. It has 114,000 miles on it now and Im taking it from NY to FL this summer, and Im pretty confident that it will do fine.

• 

  Ford please bring back the SHO - 1997 Ford Taurus
  By Ed Kimmel - July 8 - 2:00 am

  These cars were one of the best buys in automotive history, when looking for my second SHO I wanted to create the original feeling with a 5-speed and a hot clutch, but ford had eliminated the manual models. the 1997 British racing green SHO has every option including a hand free car phone, C.D. changer in the trunk and some really beautiful wheels to boot. great lines with really great performance, (even the gas mileage is 19\24 is good) at 71500 miles nothing but the antenna mast has had to be replaced, also 1 battery and a new set of tires at 42599. I would highly endorse these cars for their performance for $$ equation , its it great!!

• 

  Terrible!!! - 1998 Ford Taurus
  By NeverbuyaFORD - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car with 32,000 miles on it. Ever since the day I bought it, it has been nothing but a headache. In one years time, it has been in the service shop approximately eleven times. It has had the engine block replaced, the steering, the brakes, and it is still leaking oil today. The car was terrible. The dealership is terrible and I had to hire a lawyer just to get it fixed properly, which it still is not.

• 

  Retro bird getting better. - 2003 Ford Thunderbird
  By tony.barrand - July 8 - 2:00 am

  The 03 has added HP and stiffer structure, addressing 2002 owners complaints. The 03 colors were a bit of a disappointment, the 04 designers have addressed this issue too!

• 

  Will never buy a Ford again - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By Regina63 - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I have always bought an import car, but took my chances on the Windstar. Right out of warranty (36,900 miles) I had to replace the manifold. 4 months later at 39,000 miles I had to get a new transmission. I have a friend who has the same vehicle as mine and she is basically having the same problems.

• 

  Rented One, Want One - 2017 Ford Mustang
  By Ol Hank - July 7 - 2:33 pm

  My wife and I got this car as a loaner for our regular cars recall replacement. Ive never owned a performance auto, but have been a long time motorcyclist, and have owned several high performance 2-wheelers. This Mustang blows me away. The acceleration is awesome. I drove across a mountain range on a very twisty section of interstate, and have to say that was the most fun I have ever had on 4 wheels. It was solidly planted, the steering was very precise; I could easily change lines mid-curve; acceleration out of the curves was very controlled. With the top up, it feels like an upscale touring car. With the top down, it is simply sexy as h***. Were now planning to sell our SUV, and buy a new Mustang. Life is short.