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:

• 

  Boring but Very Reliable! - 1994 Ford Taurus
  By tccoach - January 1 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this 1994 Taurus for 3 1/2 years and it has been the most reliable and useful family car that we have ever owned. We bought the car with 54000 miles and it now has 119000 miles. We have had to do very little to this car just the usual, brakes, tires... I am 63 and this car has plenty of room over many other midsize cars in its class. Nothing fancy in the Taurus but very good reliable transportation with a huge trunk for hauling all of our Stuff.

• 

  I love it - 2003 Ford Windstar
  By Nancy K. - January 1 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in June of 2002 and it has been wonderful ever since. The car has a great sound system and all of the diffrent features are amazing and wonderful. The engine is powerful and it does much better in snow and ice than my 1999 Windstar. I love the 17" rims as supposed to the 15" hubcaps. It seats many people and is also very comfortable. The video system is also good to have in case you are going on a long trip. The picture quality is beautiful! This car is the best I have ever owned! I dont know why everyone else hates it!

• 

  1 Fun car! - 1997 Ford Probe
  By Mopardoc - January 1 - 2:00 am

  I love my Probe. I have a GTS black w/white racing stripes. Very zippy V6 with great exceleration. Gets great gas mileage about 25 mpg. Havent had any major problems with car. Tires are a little pricey. Corners & handles great, very stable with tight turns. A little cramped on interior, fits 2 people comfortably. A little noisy inside, picks up road vibrations.

• 

  great car - 2002 Ford Expedition
  By awesome ford - January 1 - 2:00 am

  i bought my expo in february and it is awesome. love the eddie bauer option. have had to get the tailgate adjusted because it was closing too tight and scrpaing the paint. also had to replace rear wiper moter because it got stuck in rear glass window and striped the moter. these were coverd under warranty so there was no problem whatsoever

• 

  one fun squad car - 1997 Ford Crown Victoria
  By gene cole - December 31 - 9:46 pm

  I bought th car with 292,000 miles on it from a sheriffs office Im northern Minnesota and shes a lot of fun. Ive got 300,000 on it now and she still moves like a brand new squad car. Im very happy with it and now my girlfriend wants one too since she drove it and saw how much people slow down and get scared when you speed up on there back bumper. Parts are cheap but Ive done more upgrades than repairs. The neat thing is that the cops think im a cop and they dont pull me over for speeding. I passed a mhp trooper at 70 in a 55 and all he did was wave as we crossed paths. Im keepin my squad. No its not for sale and no you cant use it. Im having way too much fun. I will buy more of them soon.

• 

  Upstate NY - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Jeridian - December 31 - 2:26 pm

  Ford engineers did a great job hiding the fact that this is a hybrid vehicle. Everything functions just like a standard car (Escape). Even to the point of having the car creep forward when you let up on the brake at a stop light - (this is with the gas engine completely off). Matches the performance of the 6 cylinder Escape but exceeds the gas mileage rating. I get 29 -30 hwy with the 4X4. I needed a vehicle that could manage deep snow in the winter. A 4X4 and large tires gives me that. Im having a lot of fun driving this and showing it off to friends.

• 

  WOW A RUNNING FORD - 1995 Ford Contour
  By smits - December 31 - 2:00 am

  I think the contour is the best Ford car there is. My Ford Contour Se has been running since day one there is been no major problems only some recalls none of which effected my auto. I have has it since aug of 95 and It has never has an oil change and it still runs wow. the end

• 

  Best Car EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 1996 Ford Explorer
  By Dickkyle - December 31 - 2:00 am

  This car is such an outstanding car. It is more reliable than my wife.

• 

  Super Ford Truck - 1997 Ford F-350
  By katrinka - December 31 - 2:00 am

  A most Excellent purchase!! never left me stranded. Never a breakdown. Just the occasional needing of tires and regular oil changes. all minor maint. The Powerstroke gives all the power you would ever need in a pick up. Pulls our 1976 Fiberform fully fueled and loaded with camping and fishing goodies up an 8% grade at 65 mph+. I know I would buy this model again.

• 

  DONT waste your money - 1993 Ford Probe
  By Nik - December 31 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for about a year and a half and it has been nothing but problems. It ran well for about five months but after that its just been money...the parts are SO- expensive (not worth it)