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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  di - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By di - October 27 - 1:00 am

  I had a 1995 Windstar that I loved. I fell asleep, sit the back of a semi, and totalled the Windstar. I was so impressed with the safety factors--I walked away with a whiplash and some back medium back issues--that I called my salesman and told him to find me another one just like it. He did and now over 6 years later, I still love it.I have driven long distances in comfort, hauled a huge variety of items, lots of furniture, building supplies, kids, dogs, people and luggage and never been disappointed. Ive even pulled out small trees and shrubs with my Laser Red Windstar!!!

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  Great Vehicle - 1991 Ford Explorer
  By Maryh36 - October 27 - 1:00 am

  This has been a great vehicle. We currently have 210,000 miles on it and it still runs like we just bought it. we have had very few probulme with it minor stuff like: fan blade, raditor. We bought this vehicle brand new off the shroom floor the firs one sold in our area. Great vehicle!!!

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  great ford - 1996 Ford Explorer
  By mike c - October 27 - 1:00 am

  I have 167,054 miles still get 21 mpg on the freeway with cruse on at 75. v8 super strong no oil leaks or burn. only thing that ever went out was rear axle seal Under warranty. and spark plug wires and fan clutch. I use it offroad all the time. love it .

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  great ford - 1996 Ford Explorer
  By Mike C - October 27 - 1:00 am

  I have 167,054 miles still get 21 mpg on the freeway with cruse on at 75. v8 super strong no oil leaks or burn. only thing that ever went out was rear axle seal Under warranty. and spark plug wires and fan clutch. I use it offroad all the time. love it .

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  Ford 500 - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By rollin - October 26 - 11:46 pm

  Purchased the Ford 500 with the CVT transmission on the SE model front wheel drive. The car has plenty of power for me. I like the size and quality that Volvo has added. The doors are well sealed with rubber and makes all road sounds a thing of the past. The air conditioner gets the car cool fast. The tires are 17 inch and are wide to hold the road, nice ride. It was a bargain with the employee discount, under $20,000. It is a nice safe car. Take your foot off the gas and it rolls freely. Getting about 18 miles to the gallon around town. Could do better in town with more careful driving.

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  squeeking brakes - 2004 Ford F-150
  By greggo - October 26 - 10:00 am

  My rear brakes squeek everytime I put them on Ive taken the truck back to the dealership and they tell me there is nothing they can do about it Its the material Ford uses for their brake parts. This noise drives me crazy as nice as the truck is I wouldnt have bought it if I had known about this.

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  The PERFECT first car - 2005 Ford Focus
  By Julz - October 26 - 10:00 am

  This has been a wonderful first car! It was actually purchased in 03, and Ive just now had my first glitches. Which were still covered under the warranty and promtly fixed!

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  Ford? Never Again! - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By MrSun11 - October 26 - 10:00 am

  My wife wanted this pretty red Mustang. We needed a car that gets good gas mileage, and after seeing on the "sticker" that the V-6 was estimated to get 19 city/26 highway, we felt as though this was a good purchase for us. Well, it gets 11 mpg in town. The dealer did troubleshooting on the car, and informed me that it was getting 15 mpg in town, and 25 on the highway. So, the Ford Factory Rep suggested that he fill the tank, drive it for 20 miles or so, then refill the tank and determine the mileage. He got almost 12 miles to the gallon! Thus far, Ford Motor Company refuses to do anything else.

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  Great Truck, Great Motor - 2016 Ford F-150
  By Chuck Freeman - October 26 - 9:52 am

  Im a very discriminating consumer and hold manufacturers to account for what they produce vs. their claims. Ive put 7500 miles on my new F-150 and at this point the experience has been great. I had one front tire that lost a chunk of tread somehow but Ford replaced the tire quickly. The 2.7 V-6 twin turbo motor is probably the highlight of the truck. Im averaging 19.8 mpg to date with about a 50/50 mix of hwy vs. in town driving. This motor has great acceleration off the line and at speed, hit the gas at 70 and pass with ease. Really Amazes me how well this motor performs. Kudos to Ford Engineering. Iv read some other review where people are having problems with Auto Start/Stop, but mines worked flawlessly and is pretty amazing, nice they have a button to deactivate if youre in stop and go traffic. --- Great driving truck all around and Im really happy I chose the Super Crew as the back seat area is great for cargo with the seats up. Incredibly spacious. -- happy at this point, highly recommend.

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  Great Car - 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
  By johnnyo7 - October 26 - 3:26 am

  Purchased our CMax yesterday. Average MPG now 42.7 with less than 200 miles on it. Very happy. Ride, fit, finish, technology, fantastic. What a marvel of technology.