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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  Bad Guilded Car - Expensive Repairs - 1993 Ford Probe
  By Trev - January 11 - 2:00 am

  This car has caused me much grief over the years. I have ended up spending as much money on the car as it is worth. Wheels alone cost $112 each! Every time I had to get the car fixed, which was often, it would cost much more than other cars, many times in the hundreds of dollars. Whats worse, Ford didnt respond back to my concerns on their website. I have had a horrible experience with this Ford vehicle and will never buy a Ford vehicle again. Im trying to sell it now just so I dont have to worry about repairs anymore. With the poor quality and high cost for repairs, I strong advise anyone NOT TO BUY THIS CAR. This car is just not worth the hassle.

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  Best Car Ever Made - 1990 Ford Festiva
  By Matthew Elwart - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I have had my 90 for festiva for a couple of years now and not once had a problem with it. It is comfortable to drive and comfortable to be a passenger in. Though it may not be the biggest looking car it has the most roomy interior. It also gets great fuel economy It gets an average of 50 mpg. Most 17 year olds want sporty cars i wouldnt trade my festiva for anything in the world. It is the best car ever made.

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  Windstar what a true american whould luv - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By Adnan - January 11 - 2:00 am

  once i was in the inside of a 2002 Grand caravan sport(fully equipped) and belive me the windstar was more attractive to costumers at that place

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  no go in the snow - 2002 Ford Windstar
  By no go - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Our van will not go in as little as 2 inches of snow.We needed to purchase the side signal MIRRORmirror $40 which is the only part needed, but with signal mirrors you need to purchase the whole assembly for $225 + paint to match. Engine noise is VERY noticeable.A few times now when started, there is a grinding noise in the starting system. Sound system is not what we expected for the price.Gas mileage is also a concern(highway 18 mpg, city 15mpg)On the other hand, the exterior is beautiful with black paint (except for a few flaws in the workmanship on the roof).The entertainment sytem is great for the kids.The driver center is a plus.

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  Many areas for improvement. - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By Chris - January 10 - 4:36 pm

  It handles well, is roomy and attractive in appearance. Lacks the quality I am used to in other Ford vehicles I have owned.

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  The Last Muscle Car... - 2002 Ford Mustang
  By havok735 - January 10 - 8:20 am

  With a V-8 and an exhaust that tells people that you are coming this is a really fun car to drive. Ford really did a good job of providing a car with a very nice power to dollar ratio.

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  Crappy MPG - 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By fugitive54 - January 10 - 6:27 am

  Averaged 33 MPG through first 5K miles. I have driven as efficiently as possible, achieving perfect acceleration, braking and cruising scores. There have also been several recalls and the car has only been out for 8 months. Loved the car overall, but felt duped by Ford. I just WON a Lemon Law case on this car and am turning in the car for a full refund. There is also a Class Action lawsuit out there for MPG fraud for those who continue to act like this is not a real problem.

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  Good Alternative to SUV or Minivan - 2006 Ford Freestyle
  By Nikko - January 10 - 6:10 am

  We purchased the Freestyle in April of 2005. We have found it to be a comfortable and easy to drive vehicle with plenty of cargo room. The CVT is a wonder. Good amount of responsive power with smooth handling.

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  F150 Platinum - 2017 Ford F-150
  By Jd - January 10 - 6:07 am

  It’s an awesome vehicle super comfortable and elegance with lots of practical function

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  F250 4X4 SC HD LB DIESEL - 1997 Ford F-250
  By phasers - January 10 - 2:00 am

  Great truck. Ive had a lot of trucks in my business, many Fords. My experience has always been a big truck with a little engine and lots of gears. Poor power to weight and constant shifting. The Navistar DIT diesel is definetly the way to go with a truck. When the turbo spools up, theres no catching it. Itll pull a house off the foundation and gets good mileage (for a truck) as well. There are plenty of chatrooms for Q & A on this setup if you have a problem, and the guys will give you lots of responses to keep it going.