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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  Work Horse - 1991 Ford F-250
  By MB - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned my 1991 F250HD for 12 years now. I use it primarily for hauling building supplies & firewood, and winter (snow) driving. I take this work horse back on the logging trails deep within the forest in the mountainous regions of the Sierra Nevadas. The engine is so powerful you dont realize you have an extremely heavy load. The brakes are undersized for this capacity, especially if you are decending from the higher elevations and using the brakes regularly.

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  Great Truck - 2010 Ford F-150
  By SMC - January 18 - 12:56 pm

  My 2010 F150 Supercrew FX4 Silver 5.4L. This truck has been a very reliable truck since purchasing it. My truck has 155382 on it and it is on its 3rd set of tires (BF Goodrich TAKO Great Tire) My Truck had 48656 on it when i purchased it with all the maintenance records. No Issues other than normal maintenance. This truck was a CPO with 7 years or 125000 mile warranty. The only maintenance i have had done to my truck is 1. Front Rotors at 115000 only because i let one side of my brake shoe get to low and it damaged one rotor and i went and had both front put on by ford. 365.00. Had a 4X4 ABS Unit ground out at 118000 miles warranty covered it 850.00. Had a Fuel level sensor on the fuel pump to go bad at 121000 miles however it was covered under warranty 980.00. Changed my spark plugs at 124000 no issues, I just wanted to put new ones in. 112.00. I run Penzoil Full Synthetic 5w-20. I change my oil every 5000 miles. I have had to change all of my TPMS on each tire cost 320.00 over the past year and half. Since my warranty has ran out my truck has ran pretty much flawless. I have been looking for a newer or a new truck for over 8 months. Im considering the 2017 Nissan Titan Pro-4X half ton or Ford F150 in either XLT or Lariat FX4 Package. I have had them all Tacoma is a good truck but the tundra is just outdated and the frame is extremely to flexable. I work on mining property and the tundra has a good engine and transmission but the frame is not good. When loaded and going across not level ground you can see the back of the cab get dents and holes punched into by the truck bed where it is flexing to much. You do not see that from a Ford, Dodge, Chevy and even a Nissan Titan. All trucks have there issues however for me Ford has always been good to me in about all aspects of performance, reliability, wear and tear and especially comfort. Ford has probably the best ride of all the trucks in my opinion. Hope this review helps someone make a good decision on a great truck. One more point Ford has been the best selling truck for almost 40 years straight.

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  Reliable T-Bird - 1997 Ford Thunderbird
  By JoePa#1 - January 18 - 2:00 am

  I had the ignition module go out, $300 dollars-dealer, and the Mass air flow sensor go out, $110-I changed myself. The car hasnt had an alignment in 4 years, and it is still true, and I beet the crap out of the car. Extremely comfortable ride. Traction control doesnt seem too effective. Great head and leg room for us tall people. Over 75,000 and still strong!

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  Very dependable - 1995 Ford F-150
  By Billise - January 18 - 2:00 am

  Best truck I have ever owned. What more is there to say! I get in it, it starts, and I go. No problem!

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  An excellent small truck - 1997 Ford Ranger
  By 97rangerfan - January 18 - 2:00 am

  This has been an exceptionally trouble- free vehicle. I just wish I had opted for an extended cab. The Ranger is fun to drive and maneuvers like a car. The heater can really keep up on the coldest days. The A/C is more than enough to keep one comfortable on hot humid days.

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  I dont hear much about mechanical issues - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport
  By Carol - January 17 - 8:20 pm

  I dont drive my vehicle hard by any means yet I have had numerous brake problems, ex. rotors and calipers replaced on a vehicle that was only two years old at the time. I have had a windshield leak in the drivers side corner which the dealer could not seem to fix. My brother actually took it to work one day and fixed it for me. I have had the rear wiper motor quit after one year and I barely used it. I hear squeaks and rubbing all the time when I am slowing down to stop yet the dealer cannot find where any noise is coming from. Buy another Ford, I think not! And this was the first brand new vehicle I ever purchased. Older models certainly were made better than the stuff out there now.

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  Nice Van - 2002 Ford Windstar
  By SecondWindstar - January 17 - 2:00 am

  We only have 6,500 miles on the van so far and no problems other then dirt building up in the manual sliding door tracks which I just clean out (twice) and I also had to spray WD40 on the sliding doors to stop some squeaks but they work perfect now. Also, tail light was kind of hanging out a little so I loosened two screws and clicked it back in, no big deal. Van rides very nice and runs perfect. Transmission shifts perfect and drive train operates flawlessly with food power.

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  AWESOME CAR! - 1994 Ford Mustang
  By KStrike155 - January 17 - 2:00 am

  AWESOME CAR! I love how fun it is to drive and everyone compliments me on it

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  Fun - 1998 Ford Mustang
  By superstang98 - January 17 - 2:00 am

  Hit the pedal to the metal. And hang on to your heart as the tourqe will make you smile.

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  Very good car - 1991 Ford Escort
  By newb - January 17 - 2:00 am

  i liked it a lot, it was the best!!!