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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  3rd Ford - 2004 Ford F-150
  By Chevis - February 7 - 10:00 am

  This is the 3rd Ford P/U I have owned in the last 20 years. Both of the older Fords are still being driven. The oldest is a 1980 with over 150000 miles on it and the 2nd had 205000 when traded for the "new" 2004 Ford. The new truck seems to have sufficient power to pull a boat/trailer, with a ride that matches many autos.

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  FORD F-150 - 2005 Ford F-150
  By Dan1906 - February 7 - 10:00 am

  thanks to the new f-150 i am able to carry my family and my work tools all at one time. Not like my old truck 2004 Chey. Silverado 4door xcab.

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  Quality is NOT #1 - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By egarces - February 7 - 10:00 am

  I have owned mine for almost 3yrs and have had many probs. w/it. They tried fixing the a/c five times before they replaced the entire system. Now I have a rattling noise under the hood and its taken 3 trips to the dealership and it is still not fixed. The seats are horrible in the rear AND front, no comfort what so ever! Storage space is great and good sized SUV. The back window opens up if you dont want to lift the entire rear door, but I have a crack in the plastic that covers the rear window. Some times the rear window requires more force to shut it and it will take 2 or 3 times to close it before it finally closes.

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  Built Ford Tuff! - 2002 Ford F-150
  By sturmtiger - February 6 - 11:46 am

  This vehicle replaced a 93 Ranger that I also bought new. Love the 5.4 L V-8, it pulls our 24 ft Airstream camper with reserve plenty of reserve power. I like the aggressive styling of the FX4 package. i.e., the grille and 17" rims. Very comfortable when traveling, the 60/40 bench seating better than the captains chairs, IMHO.

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  Do want to be a beta tester? - 2012 Ford Focus
  By tmod700 - February 6 - 8:15 am

  I purchased this car about 3 weeks ago and after a few days the transmission would shudder when leaving from a stop, I took it back to the dealer and they confirmed what I was feeling was indeed a shudder. The dealer called Ford and Ford stated it was normal. How many potential purchasers would want a vehicle that shudders on takeoff? Anyway so I got a call from Ford Customer Service today if you want to call it that and the only reply I would get from the agent was it was normal. I was told it was a isolated incident that affected some vehicles. Ok so it is a isolated incident only affecting some vehicles how can it be classified as normal?

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  VALUE - 1992 Ford Explorer
  By JAMES - February 5 - 11:56 pm

  The Explorers have been demonized by the media. Great vehicle!

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  1999 v6 Mustang 10 year review - 1999 Ford Mustang
  By ajdoll - February 5 - 5:09 pm

  My 60 year old mother bought this Mustang from a colleague of mine who had it since new. She bought it in 2006 with 30000 miles as her condo car (Florida). During her ten years of owning this Mustang, she has driven it about 30000 miles. Since taking ownership she has done regular maintenance (oil,oil filter,air filter). In ten years, it has never skipped a beat. It has been as reliable as a car half its years. In ten years, it has only needed two batteries, tires and an alternator. The Mustang never let her stranded and had no problems whatsoever. Everything still works; A/C, power windows, power mirrors, cruise control, power seat and the 460 stereo is awesome! My mother has graciously given her Mustang to my step-daughter. My mother has bought a new Nissan Altima that has been plagued by minor problems. After owning the Mustang for ten years, trouble free, she appreciates that Mustang. Its amazing that a 17 year old car, that she drove for ten years, has been more reliable than her new Nissan. That little black stallion continues to be very reliable, even if it is 17 years old. Ford did it right. That V6 is no V8, but that Mustang handles so nice that its still a thrill to drive!

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  I love it! - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By AnnaJ - February 5 - 2:46 am

  I love my 500. It feels like a pricey luxury vehicle with all the bells and whistles. 6-disc CD changer, adjustable pedals, leather seats, oh my! I got this baby used and it was still in perfect condition. The performance is slightly lacking but its not a race car, after all. This car is a beauty and it drives like a charm.

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  mykey feature is a huge pain!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2010 Ford Escape
  By Tammy - February 4 - 9:49 am

  bought my car used and only have one key. I was trying to reset some settings after an oil and tire change and accidently set my one and only key to the mykey feature. You have to have another key to act as an admin key when this happens to get the setting changed back. So now...I have to spend a ridiculous amount of money to replace and program another key just to remove this very stupid feature. It limits your speed, it limits the volume on your radio among other very, very annoying features. What would have been wrong with having to set a password like every other computer program on the planet....no, leave it to ford to have to make something so dumb an expensive fix.....HIGHLY DISAPOINTED WITH THE GENIUSES THAT CAME UP WITH THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  ZTW Wagon= A great value - 2002 Ford Focus
  By xpis - February 3 - 2:00 am

  Our 2002 ZTW wagon is now going on 12,200 miles in seven months. So far we have had no problems. None. Zip. Gas mileage has been 27.3 mpg (11.63km/liter) for the past 10 thousand miles. On our one long trip (Chicago to Boston and back) we got 32 at 75 mph. 4 wheel anti lock brakes work fine as does the advance trac the one time I tested it on snow and ice in a vacant parking lot. Hope I never need it. It holds two bicycles, easily, with the front wheels still on. Sound system is good, the car is comfortable, handles well and reliable. Were pleased with it and would recommend the 02s a and later.