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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  Excellent Excellent excellent - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By bigron - October 31 - 10:00 am

  new body style much imp. over previous. much easier to handle, and fun to drive. had old body style big difference. still #1 in SUVs

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  Get a new trans! - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By TJ351 - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Have had problems with the trans from day one! First two times to a dealer they say they cant find a problem. Third time I find out there is a TSB to replace the torque converter etc. That lasted all of 3,000 miles before the trans started to act up again. (very poor shifts, slippage, noise from trans). Oh yeah, and the vibration at 75mph is a pain after a few hours on the highway.

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  our little wonder - 2004 Ford Focus
  By pengins - October 31 - 10:00 am

  This little wonder, is small enough to feel like your are driving a sports car, but big enough to seat a family of 4...Comftorable, great suspension (tight), quick ,pick up, great steering and handeling, (I have a tendeancy to go to fast in it...because it handles so fine)lots of trunk space,interior space, and very rummy, good gas miliage,aerodinamic, so pleased it is americian, (small cars used to be better made as a foreign car, (but we would never buy one of those)We are truley surprised and elated, htat we found this wonderful car...

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  Poor Quality Ruins An Otherwise Good Product - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By Lovecars - October 31 - 7:00 am

  I wanted to be among the first in my neighborhood to get the new 2016 Explorer and so I did. Now I will be among the first not to get another one as my lease is up soon. Here are the problems Ive had which are driving my decision:check engine light goes on at 300 miles, take to dealership, they say its fixed, then it goes back on again. Take it back to dealership, they get it to turn off, then it goes back on again. Now it has remained off. Side auto retract mirrors are a great idea, unfortunately they now creak like haunted house stairs when they retract. Power windows chatter when you press the down button. Dashboard periodically whistles and its not the a/c, its something else. Out of the clear blue, when you lock the door, the drivers seat moves to a fully reclined and fully lifted position, the mirrors move to a weird setting. Lastly, the seats suck. Very uncomfortable and cheap-feeling leather which is showing a lot of wear after only 25,000 miles. It feels like you are sitting on instead of in the seats. Very poor thigh support and I am only about 6 feet tall.

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  Old Fashioned Pickup - 1995 Ford F-150
  By marky2 - October 31 - 2:00 am

  I bought mine new in 1995 and it still looks as good today as it did when new. I still get a lot of compliments on it. Strong runner but some things happened to it that I didnt expect: oil pan rusted out (fixed under warranty), rear axle seal leaked, power steering hoses started leaking. Otherwise, its been a great truck and just as comfortable as you could want. (still has the original battery and exhaust system). As one saleman said to me when he looked it over: "its a keeper".

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  Contour (Recallour) - 1998 Ford Contour
  By zx2 - October 31 - 2:00 am

  Our contour is a gl v6 sport. This car is the king of recalls and is very unreliable. Check engine light is always comming on. Transmission shifts to abruptly. Sunroof most of the time does not work. Ride is to harsh and too much engine noise. Engine is always making growling sounds especially at low speeds. Duratech does not feel as powerful as its 170 hp rating. Paint scratches easily, flimsy car. Drinks alot of gas. Really glad they dont make this troublesome model anymore, think early 80s american car. If yours runs good you probably have a 4 cylinder or hardly drive.

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  Fun Car - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By Megan - October 30 - 7:13 pm

  I have had this car for about 4 months. I just started college, and I use the car for my 6 hour drive to and from school. It makes the drive pretty well. However, when I am in the passenger seat during the drive, I get annoyed with the way the dash is set up. Its hard to put your feet up. Also, the seat doesnt recline very far. The seats are very comfortable though. I am always cold and my boyfriend is always hot, so I really like how easy it is to close the vents on one side of the car. I just had to replace the gear shift at 15,000 miles. I would like a larger back seat, but its as big as would be expected for a Mustang. Its hard to get in and out of because of the long doors.

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  Nothing short of perfect. - 1995 Ford F-250
  By justin - October 30 - 2:00 am

  I use this truck for pulling 90% of the time and it will pull anything. With its 351cc. and low end torque its a powerhouse!

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  Nothing short of perfect. - 1995 Ford F-250
  By Justin - October 30 - 2:00 am

  I use this truck for pulling 90% of the time and it will pull anything. With its 351cc. and low end torque its a powerhouse!

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  This is one tough truck. - 1997 Ford F-250
  By justin - October 30 - 2:00 am

  This truck is a 3/4 ton ford f-250 light duty. It has a peppy engine good its size. This same engine (5.4l) is not any good for the full size f-250. This truck has no prblem doing most any job u dish out.