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:

• 

  Water Leaks - 2000 Ford Focus
  By Kate Robinette - February 21 - 2:00 am

  There was a defect in the design of the car so the callip pannel melted in the sun and pulled away from the windsheild. This allowed the rain to come straight into my car and I have had electrical problems since 2001. There is also mold in the heating sysstem that the dea;er gets rid of every time I bring thecar in, but every few times it rains it comes back and they wont fix it. Now my warranty is up, and I am stuck with it.

• 

  cheap build quality--buy a jeep liberty - 2003 Ford Escape
  By jbenn - February 21 - 2:00 am

  i looked at the liberty and escape/tribute..the escape has horrible build quality on the interior, it looks so cheaply built that it wont last 3 yrs..the seats were uncomfortable, plastics bad, fit/finish were not neat, carpets and fabrics all low grade, controls cheap looking, engine loud, transmission not smooth, steering a little spongy..jeep liberty is built much better for the same price, only complaint is seats dont fold down all the way on the liberty

• 

  Unhappy 2012 Focus owner - 2012 Ford Focus
  By - February 2 - 3:19 pm

  Major issues with transmission!!!...Recall work done (a computer reset???) last week of June. Driving down Hollywood Fwy. at midnight, 4 days later and car just stalls while driving!( full tank of gas) Pull to side of fwy without getting killed by rushing traffic,key is still in on position so turn a notch and car starts... drive onto side street where the car abruptly stalls again. Managed to get car home to Huntington Beach and then fight with HB Ford dealership over such a poor quality car. No resolve from them so stuck here with an unpredictable brand new car....

• 

  Cost of ownership - 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By lookingtotradein - January 17 - 10:00 am

  Several items were covered under warentee, but had to replace the front brake pads and rotors TWICE by 65,000 miles - I do not drive it hard - all highway miles. Radiator hose was sliced by a bracket in the engine. Oil cap mounting shattered at the first oil change. The hinges on the storage behind one of the rear seats snapped - again no excessive use. Love the concept but dissapointed at the experience.

• 

  2001 Explorer Sport - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport
  By Doug A. - January 9 - 2:00 am

  This thing rattles and squeaks like its 30 years old. I previously owned a 98 Explorer Sport, which influenced my decision to purchase this vehicle. The 2001 has a more powerful engine and handles a little bit better, but every other part of this vehicle has made a turn for the worse.

• 

  A lemon at every turn - 1995 Ford Windstar
  By cdjamison - January 5 - 12:13 pm

  We purchased this vehicle used - a lease return with 40,000 miles. It needed a new transmission at 50,000, the head gasket went at 70,000 (this was covered under warranty, but was in the shop for a month), the main wiring harness caught on fire at 90,000 (this had been replaced under a recall before we purchased the van), and the list goes on. Weve averaged $1,000/yr in repairs on this vehicle. Dont buy a 95 Windstar!!!

• 

  You get what you bargain for - 2016 Ford Focus
  By Codey - January 3 - 4:56 pm

  5 months in and 3 trips to the shop later. Got a call today saying one of the clutches for the dual clutch automatic transmission needs to be replaced. Such a disappointment for car that is only 5 months old. The transmission jerks like crazy, shifts are hard and loud. Really disappointed because the engine in this baby is full of life and gas mileage is great! Traded in an 01 Nissan Maxima with no problems to be left stranded while my new car gets repaired. Next time do your research before you make a big purchase.

• 

  leaking seals - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By Robert W Gray - December 23 - 10:00 am

  Very disappointed! Had the oil pan gasket replaced at 3000 miles and now at 6000 miles just had the main rear seal replaced.Front tires constantly dirty from brake dust(really poor design). Climate control doesnt seem to run as smoothly as my wifes 2002 Mercury Sable. I had a !998 Ford F150 Lariat and never had a problem with it, wish I had it back.

• 

  Rattles - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By Pork Pie - December 23 - 10:00 am

  This is the most disapointing vehicle we have ever owned. Its not that it is a bad vehicle, but for the money we paid we had certain expectations, and it just does not live up to them. The rattles started at 250 miles and have got worse since then, rattles in the doors, roof, dash and seats. Trim pieces that dont fit. After six visits to the dealer some are resolved and some never will be. The good news is that there is a partial fix for the doors, there is a TSB from Ford, which consists of replacing the door locks and door seals, unfortunately it took 4 trips to the dealer before they found the TSB.

• 

  Not happy with the 2008 Focus - 2008 Ford Focus
  By Bob - December 10 - 1:36 pm

  I purchaced my Focus to drive to work. I drive over 100 miles a day so I needed a car that got over 30 mpg. I have had the car back to Ford five times now for it pulling left. I am very disipointed that for 17k I can not get a car that will drive straight. The problem has still not been repaired. If you are looking to buy a 2008 Focus I would take one long test drive before making a purchace.