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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  Simply the Best - 2004 Ford F-150
  By Tommy Toshoes - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I Have been waiting 2 years to buy this truck and I was not disappointed. It is the BEST Truck on the market. Ride, looks, handling, and quality are all that and more! All you truck building want-to-bes just took a few giant steps back. Keep up the great woek Ford Motor Co. P. S. Man, you guys have got to do something with your cars. Ford cars are under powered and just plain ugly! Hire some of those japanese desgners away from those other guys and get a new look quick. Thanks again for my F-150. Tommy Toshoes Crestwood, KY

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  F150 - 2004 Ford F-150
  By HonestBookie - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Truck is dependable in all kinds of weather from rain to snow. Drives like a car almost and is more comfortable than some cars I have driven. Power on takeoff, climbing the Rockies, towing a boat and jet skis is so very easy. A delight to drive and does everything it was advertised to do. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

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  100,000 Miles in a Contour SE - 1997 Ford Contour
  By bcarpenter03 - June 12 - 2:00 am

  We have had this vehicle for five years and like it alot. We got it with the V6 and 5 speed manual transmission, and it has a totally different character from what you get at a car rental agency. It is a lot of fun to drive.

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  1999 Escort SE Sport - 1999 Ford Escort
  By JFE - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Owned it a little over 2 years now. Had repeated water leaks in both headlights. Finally corrected. Water in trunk. Replaced inner & outer tie rods on Drivers side. (thanks to hit & run driver) Vibrations from somewhere beneath the car. That was checked and nothing was found. Occasionally the left speaker cuts out.

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  Major Disappointment - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By John - June 11 - 6:16 pm

  My Caddilac SRX and Three Muranos were great cars. Not a single issue with any of these recent cars from the beginning to when I traded them in, all had over 50,000 miles at trade-in. My new 2016 Limited Explorer is have issues with less than 2,000 miles. Pump that runs the seat features sounds like a hamster cage, rear tire inflation sensor defective and causing alarms to go off every 50 miles. No way to disengage rear door from opening with your foot -- doing anything with a hitch, bike rack, boat trailer, and so on can cause the door to open. Car down and up shifts all the time on basically flat roads. Brakes are grinding, and the luggage rack, specifically the rails are not open thus not allowing for your to tie down anything around the rails. I cant understand this concept for an SUV that potentially could be used to strap on top kayaks, boats of all sorts, or really anything.......very bad design. Called Ford Customer Service and got the total brush off. Went to a local dealer and they said make an appointment a week out and well look at the issues.......will need the car for a couple of days and no loaner! I made a bad decision with this vehicle.

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  missing its mark - 2006 Ford Fusion
  By why - June 11 - 3:16 pm

  This car is not equipped as good as a lot of other cars, no outside temp, no mist on the wipers, lots of plastic inside, very cheap. The fabric on the seat - everything sticks to it. If my dealer would have been sure this is the car I wanted, instead of just a sale, maybe the SEL was the one I needed. Looking around for a good deal to trade it off, will not buy another Ford. Power is Ok. Its mine, I bought it, will drive till I get a good deal on a new car. Selling factor was 72 months at 0%. Just to let you all know, this is my 25th new car,and the only one I am not happy with, not all bad but a bad choice for me, at $22,000 lots of better choices out there,

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  2004 FX4 Great Vehicle - 2005 Ford F-150
  By Matt Vinzant - June 11 - 2:06 pm

  This is a very dependable truck, i love to drive it, and I love the way it looks. It has great handling, and ride quality. It tows a trailer like there is nothing behind it.

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  Cant believe its a Ford! - 2006 Ford Fusion
  By Carlhk1 - June 11 - 11:20 am

  I traded in my Audi A6 when the warranty was up on it. So, ok, I downgraded a little...but by how much? NOT much. I love this car. I bought the SEL V6 loaded. Its hot looking, more than peppy, great lines, nice interior, and it has so many features built in I cant believe its a Ford! I only wish it had the Homelink for my garage and an optional sport shift (I have the Automatic) . The car is clean, more room than my Audi had, great gas mileage, FLEX FUEL, not premium, mp3 leather, etc. Handles nice, I am very happy. Until you sit in it, drive it, and look at it, you wouldnt have thought Ford could do it. But when you drive it and do those things...you will buy it. I love it!

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  SECOND TIME AROUND - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By SEMPER FI - June 11 - 10:00 am

  love to drive,feel safe,great all-around visiliabilty,more than plenty room insid e,this van feels solid,this is my second time around with a WINDSTAR!!!

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  Dont Buy This ! - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By PeterK - June 11 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a lightly used 1999 Explorer Sport in January, 2000. Last month, during the 60,000 service, I was told that I needed $1,000 worth of repairs just to pass state inspection. This is my 2nd (and LAST) Ford Product. The car is poorly designed, difficult to drive, and now ... unreliable. Consider the Explorer a "high maintenance" automobile and avoid it at all costs!!! I do not drive this vehicle off road and have always changed the oil, rotated the tires and performed all of the scheduled maintenance. Im headed back to the Hondas .. at least I know Ill get 100,000 miles out of them with little to no repairs.