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:

• 

  excellent - 2004 Ford F-150
  By bigjimmy - November 23 - 2:00 am

  excellent, no other company can match its quaity, smooth ride fun to drive

• 

  FUN TO DRIVE - 2003 Ford Escape
  By Hassan - November 22 - 10:00 am

  The car performance is impressive, 0 to 100km is under 9.0 seconds, the power is available through out, the gas paddle is very responsive. Noise generated by tyres and wind noise is audioable at speed but not intrusive. The handling is superb with precise steering matching with superb stopping power eventhough the engine is so powerful, it is very easy to handle either on or off road.

• 

  Worth the risk? - 2000 Ford Mustang
  By VegasGT - November 22 - 10:00 am

  I do love this car, and I often get compliments from strangers, and more often than that I get stares. But it developed a stalling problem the week I bought it. Then the clutch started rattling, then it got recalled for the parking break, then the stereo died. All that is now fixed, but it has left me a bit sour. For the money youre hard pressed to find a more powerful car, and it IS a blast to drive, although its a bit choppy over bumpy corners. Some Mustang owners have had no problems at all - it may be worth the risk. Oh yeah and the seats absolutely suck.

• 

  I hate my car - 2000 Ford Focus
  By Leigh Ann - November 22 - 10:00 am

  The Ford Focus gets nothing but rave reviews through website articles. However, anyone that owns a 2000 Ford Focus will tell you otherwise. My car has been serviced for 47 different things. Thats it 47. For example, my radio has been replaced twice in the past two years. Now it is malfunctioning again and Ford told me that they would no longer pay for service on the vehicle because I have 36,250 miles on it and the warranty is up at 36,000. Well if they would have fixed it in the first place I wouldnt have this problem.

• 

  Died 2 miles off the lot - 2017 Ford Edge
  By Sam-Wise - November 21 - 11:20 am

  We had a supposed "this has never happened in the history of Ford" breakdown. The high pressure fuel pump stopped working two miles after my wife left the car lot upon final paperwork of buying the vehicle. The Ford Pass app works on Apple and Android devices. We ended up getting rid of our Microsoft phones, because NO ONE CARES about this issue! NO ONE at the dealership gave us any information on phone numbers to call for help if the vehicle breaks down. The only information we had was our salesmans cell phone#. He came to our aid, and made sure we got the vehicle towed back to the dealership. He made sure we had a loaner vehicle for the 18 days we had to wait for the service department to figure out what went wrong, to order the parts, to get an emergency order on a back ordered part, install the four parts needed for this particular pump, and then test drive our brand new vehicle. It had less than 60 miles on it when it died. They fixed it. We own it. We now have just over 10,000 miles on it, and the dealership barely knows who we are anymore. We get conflicting email notices concerning when to bring it in for maintenance, and a part that was supposed to have been put on order when we did bring it in for the 10,000 mile checkup just over two weeks ago has yet to arrive at the dealership. Who knows when that part will come in, and then we have to bring the car in for that part to be replaced. Supposedly, it will only take 30 minutes to replace, but it took over 4 hours to get an oil change and the first maintenance check, even with an appointment in place...

• 

  european rival - 2010 Ford Fusion
  By Bruce Levitt - November 20 - 6:36 pm

  Was very skeptical about getting an american car after owning nothing but Audis and BMWs,But after many endless nights researching (driving my wife crazy) and many test drives I went with the fusion and boy am I happy. The car drives great,handles superb,and looks real sharp, all for much less!!

• 

  Dont Buy Unless.... - 2004 Ford F-150
  By Dont Buy Unless - November 19 - 2:46 pm

  I now have 17,624 miles on my 2004 F-150 4x4 quad cab with Lariat package. I would not suggest buying one unless you would enjoy: 1. At 6000 miles hearing the interior start to rattle like its coming apart every time you go over a bump. 2. Having to replace the brake rotors at your own expense at 12,000 miles because they get warped and the dealer says you must be "driving it too hard". Actually you have to upgrade the rotors to vented ones at a cost of about $800 or the problem will keep coming back. 3. Getting an average, per the vehicles own computer, 13.5 mpg. 4. Feeling underpowered when towing less than half the trucks stated towing capacity.

• 

  Great Car - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By Kathy - November 19 - 1:56 pm

  I fell in love with the Limited back in April and nothing else in this class would do. This is my first Ford after many Hondas. While the exterior may appear somewhat "average", I assure you that the interior is not. Its a pretty car, enormous trunk, great family car with style. I purchased a red with beige leather interior. It rides high, which feels safe. The surround airbags are a great safety feature. Its just a pretty car and I smile whenever I drive it!

• 

  Satisfied with my Five Hundred - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By Roger - November 19 - 11:56 am

  I just purchased a 2005 model year Limited FWD for my wife. We have had it about 2 weeks and simply love this car. The interior is simply outstanding and has a very luxury look and feel to it. Seats are very comfortable, front and rear legroom is great, road noise is acceptable but could be improved (I can still carry on a conversation in the car without raising the level of my voice). Power is more than adequate for us. The Duratec 3.0 liter engine is a very reliable engine. I have a 1996 Sable, also purchased new, with over 90K miles and have had no issues whatsoever with it. Im looking forward to several years of driving pleasure with our new Five Hundred.

• 

  Fast and Fun - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By Mark Anthony - November 18 - 5:03 pm

  I didnt plan on buying this car but wanted to drive one. That was all it took, i bought it that night.