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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  I feel happy to drive - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By hilary - November 15 - 11:13 am

  I have switched from a Mazda 5 to this car to get a better seating a storage arrangement. I LOVE the fuel efficiency around town and feel great about my choice. Its not as fancy as my moms Prius with all the electronics, but getting 34 miles to 40 miles a gallon schlepping kids in a big car makes me smile every time I turn the key. I am proud to drive this car!

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  kickass car - 1994 Ford Taurus
  By Randye - November 15 - 2:00 am

  it was the sweetest car in the world.

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  owner review - 1995 Ford Aerostar
  By Marty ODonnell - November 15 - 2:00 am

  The Aerostar was the largest minivan back in 1995. It has terrific interior space. The ride is very smooth. Vehicle is heavy so brakes dont last long. Great for towing camper, boat, etc. Not as safe as its replacement, the Windstar. Much more reliable, though. It has been a good van, even at 100K.

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  My Bird - 1990 Ford Thunderbird
  By Tyler Bragg - November 15 - 2:00 am

  I like my bird. My friends like driving it too. They also like to break my bird. We go off-roading in my bird. We broke the motor mounts. My other friend spins cookies in the school parking lot. It is a good car.

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  Transmisson needs to be FIX - 2001 Ford Windstar
  By Samantha Smith - November 15 - 2:00 am

  well i bought one and i had only had it 2 month at 17000 miles on it and the trans mission went out i have had a ford van before and every time i take a trip with it the transmission gose out..so right now i am driving a rental car because my new VAN is in the place at 17000 miles getting a new transmission and the rental car thats a ford even sounds like it trasnmission is about to go out... Thank you

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  Windstar needs CPR - 2003 Ford Windstar
  By R. Hardy - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Ford has droped the ball on this vehicle. I own a 1996 Windstar that was OK up to 50,000 miles. After 50,000 the van had no life left in it. It started with the transmission at 50,000 miles and as ended with a head gasket at 129,000. In between 50,000 and 129,000 miles there has been many problems and a lot of money spent. I will never buy a Ford Windstar again. The whole Windstar line needs CPR.

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  explorer review - 1996 Ford Explorer
  By dan` - November 15 - 2:00 am

  at 100K miles, needed some work, otherwise, not major work required except problem with paint during first 6 mmonths, but ford tool care of it n o problems

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  Work vehicle - 2016 Ford Escape
  By Fred - November 14 - 8:19 pm

  This is my work vehicle. It has 12k miles. It is poorly built... The doors dont give the satisfying thunk of a Volkswagen or even a Fiat. Or even an older Ford... It just feels cheap and the door rattles when you close it. There is a lot of soft touch materials but they feel cheap and about 1cm of a strip of vinyl trim piece on the door is always coming untucked from the surrounding hard plastic trim. The seats are unsupportive and unsuitable for long shifts like mine or road trips but they should be fine for most I suppose. The vehicle makes weird vibrating noises around the muffler occasionally, when idling to the point that Ive gotten comments from people. It makes weird buzzing sounds sometimes that come from the dashboard that make it bothersome to sleep in if the vehicle is running and the radio isnt on. The AC has been replaced because it wouldnt cool. The starter was replaced because the vehicle refused to start unless you would press the gas pedal as it was starting. Strobe lights would come on and a message on the dash would appear that the key was not detected. Despite the repair it has not been fixed and still does it when it hasnt been driven in a while. Look at vehicle dependability studies from JD Powers, and you will see Ford is near the bottom-- only Dodge does worse. Even Land Rover and Fiat come ahead... Unlike some other people I am not bothered by the Dual Clutch transmission. It has its quirks but Americans are just too used to slush boxes. The vehicle handles well for a "SUV" and suspension, and steering, is something Ford has massively improved in comparison with the previous generation but the build quality still isnt there with any of the foreign makes.

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  Shockingly Good - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By Bob Coviello - November 14 - 8:57 am

  I purchased this vehicle while hoping to find a good used 4Runner of the same vintage, but this one-owner SUV appeared with 166,000mi with a nearly new remanufactured engine (owner felt a new engine was better value than replacing both head gaskets, one of which was leaking) that looked exceptionally good, outside (not even a door ding) and with an interior that looked amazing, showing no real wear at all. A comparable 4Runner of the same mileage and year would have cost at least $2000 more than the $3300 I paid for this V8 AWD Limited that cost $41,000+ new (I have the window sticker). If I am careful I can get 18 city and 24 highway (Interstate) which I consider nothing short of outstanding for a V8 SUV. A former 6cyl Cherokee I once had only managed 16 city and 20 highway. The AWD with limited slip rear differential model does not have a 4WD Low transfer case, so I expected nothing off-road, but I easily followed a friend w/ a 4X4 4Runner through Arizona backcountry that looked impossible for an AWD, but the Explorer easily went up no drama and with zero wheel spin on any tire, whereas the 4Runner was skipping and intermittently slipping one tire or another. Even w/out a low range, it climbed with little throttle, and the temp gauge never moved. I dont plan going on expeditions with the vehicle, but I was amazed at how it did in conditions I thought it would fail at. Overall, given its high chassis mileage especially, its tight and rattle-free and has been extremely reliable (I have the service records since new), and except for the head gasket problem, only the front shocks and upper ball joints were replaced (except for normal wear items like brake pads, wiper blades, etc.).

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  Explorer debbies 1992 - 1992 Ford Explorer
  By Debra Burkhardt - November 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive always loved driving my truck, and look forward tro driving it everytime I get into it. Its been an awesome vehicle that I know someone else will really get as much enjoyment with it, as I do.