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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  Boring Car! - 1996 Ford Taurus
  By FordsGRR - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car because a teacher of mine said that the insurance was extremely cheap. I cant believe I bought it. It is the most plain, boring car to drive. Ive owned several cars, and this is the one Id like to see go FAST! The gas mileage isnt very good for a V6, and the interior is quite ugly. Service engine light used to come on, but I hardly drive it since I got a different car. Styling is pretty neat (at least it was in 95 when the new style came out), BUT EVERYONE HAS A DAMN TAURUS!!!!

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  Love it - 1996 Ford Taurus
  By leew - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Taurus GL from a government auction. It had 45,000 mi on it. When I first bought it the radio lights didnt work. I got that fixed and ever since then the rear window defrost hasnt worked. I currently have 101,000 miles on it, and it appears that I will be replacing it soon as it was rear ended and I think they will total it. The only thing I dont like about it is that the miles to go isnt accurate and it is tied to the fuel gauge.

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  A Ford with WARP DRIVE. - 1990 Ford Taurus
  By Dave B - Canada - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I have now owned by SHO for 5 years - it is one fast car - modify just a little and it gets down right scary. Too bad it has a ford body - if the car was built like the engine it would be a guaranteed hit - but I still love it - nothing can keep up with it. I am now restoring the body [only part that needs work!]. It was the success that almost was a hit...

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  The Best car out there - 2005 Ford Mustang
  By SALSTANG - January 3 - 8:36 pm

  If youre thinking of buying a car that is fast, comfortable, handles like no other car, and catches the eye of everyone on the road it is the 2005 Mustang GT. I ordered mine on my birthday on February 7th and I got the car on May 3rd. This was probably the best choice I ever made. I got black leather interior with interior upgrade. If youre going to get the car get the interior upgrade, its the best $400 you will ever spend. On the outside I got torch red which when Im driving on the road anywhere I go people stop me to look at it. The retro look makes it so catching and I suggest you to get into a 2005 Mustang GT.

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  Great Car for the Value - 2005 Ford Escape
  By TG - January 3 - 3:50 pm

  Great car for the value. I was pleasantly surprised of the roomy interior and accessories.

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  Vroom vroom Candie the Contour - 1998 Ford Contour
  By Pixie tha Racer - January 3 - 2:00 am

  I love my Candie the Contour. I bought her in Nov. with 69k mi. and have had many problems since. Within our first week together, she needed a new serp belt, new spark plugs,a new air filter, a coolant flush,and a new glove box. During the second week, she stalled like crazy and eventually wouldnt start cause she needed a new fuel line. Not to mention the humming sound when I turn the wheel to the right, or the big huge CLUNK! When I take a sharp turn. And after all this work, shes been mine for two wonderful months now and STILL the freekin coolant light and the check engine lights come on ALL THE TIME! AHHH!

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  Excellent reliability for the money - 1995 Ford Ranger
  By ozziem - January 3 - 2:00 am

  Bought this truck used in 97 with 41,000 miles on it. So far the only failure has been a leaking heater valve, which only cost $15 at the dealer and took me 30 minutes to replace. No other mechanical problems. The truck now has 161,000 and its still going strong (1/3/03). The only annoying thing with this truck is the dome lights staying on for hours when parked. Also, except for the fuel gauge, all the lights in the instrument panel are out. This is not easy to fix. Ill probably keep this Ranger until it dies and that could be a long time from now.

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  tough to beat - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By proreel - January 3 - 2:00 am

  If the salesman wasnt with me i would have taken it straight to the mud. It looks like its begging for it. i bought it the same day and try as i might, i could not get it stuck. By, the way the C.D. player sounded great the whole time. When i woke up in the morning, i found that my wife had taken it to work.(instant fight)

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  Overall, Not happy - 1991 Ford Explorer
  By Kirby - January 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle from the original owner in 2000 and have had nothing but problems with it. I now understand why the owners were selling. Within a month, I had to replace the exhaust. Over the two summers that Ive owned it, I have had repairs done to the air conditioning system and on top of that, had to deal with recalls. Dont even get me started on the leaks! Oil, fuel and transmission. Anybody interested in 1991 Explorer? Im looking to get rid of it!

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  Never a major malfunction....148,000 - 1994 Ford Explorer
  By FORDMOM - January 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle new off the lot. I have never had any major mechanical problems. I have always kept up good maintenance practices though. I hit a deer hear on last year... Only took out the grill and a slight wrinkle in the right front quarterpanel. Ill buy another FORD someday... but am sticking with my Green Machine for now.