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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  Ford should never have released - 2011 Ford Explorer
  By dmr1063 - July 11 - 11:32 am

  BUYER BEWARE.......Picked up new XLT on 7/5/11. Next morning the MyTouch screen was not working. Waited 4 days for a new module. New Module installed except it was wrong. Now I have AC and Radio but no Navigation and the 2nd row controls dont work. 2 weeks old, 500 miles on it and 320 of the miles have been back and forth to dealer. All this after waiting three monthes to hear I could not get Tuxedo Black paint. What a mistake. Too bad because the new design is appealing and the run in nice.

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  Great suprise. - 2011 Ford Fusion
  By joe400 - July 11 - 10:26 am

  I have 6 weeks of ownership, 1755 miles and have been very impressed with the Fusion SEL! The four cylinder engine has more than adequate power but economy that exceeds what has been advertised. In five tanks of gas, three have been intown driving and I have averaged 27.2 mpg. On two road trips I have averaged 36.7 and 37.8 mpg! This is driving at speed limits! The car handles very well, the seats are very comfortable and the Nav and sync systems function without a glitch! I am also quite suprised at the quietness of the four cylinder engine. The Ginger leather interior is a great improvement over black, tan and stone! Safe to say I am very impressed at the beginning!

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  Charlatan Engineering - Avoid at Any Cost - 2012 Ford Escape
  By gormarx - July 11 - 12:23 am

  I had to take the car to fix the door so it doesnt fill with water when it rains, thats how poorly manufactured it is. Sync is a bug-infested, malfunctioning piece of crap by Microsoft, as always. The features and control placement is idiotic: opening the cabin does not turn on any lights in the car, ever the headlights are turned on in one spot but switching to high beam is located at another, squeezed among the wiper controls. The wipers have a dozen settings, all of them too fast or too slow but never right the AC/heating i loud an annoying, as is the engine. Ive driven Soviet cars with far more comfortable and user-friendly design. Never again an American piece of crap.

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  Bad Transmition - 2011 Ford F-150
  By dstiggs1 - July 10 - 6:26 pm

  I bought my truck on a Thursday with about 17000 miles on it by sunday the transmition was slamming down from gear one to two! It runs well but when pulling off you can feel the transmition shift rough and it slips from the upshift from 1 to two also. Im disappointed at ford for this. After web research I found that this is a common problem with this model and ford doesnt know how to fix it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  6 cyl. AWD piece of junk!!!!! - 2011 Ford Escape
  By al_syracuse - July 10 - 3:18 pm

  Problems from day one. The infamous "hoot" which Ford has known about for three years and done nothing about it so far. Getting worse by the day, and will undoubtedly lead to transmission problems. Build quality issues, including fender liner problems, and water leaks. Front passenger compartment was getting flooded every time I went to a car wash. Dealer fixed that problem, and now air conditioner leaks into the same compartment. What a piece of junk. Although Ive owned a dozen Fords before, this will be my last, for sure.

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  Great and Fun little Car!! - 2005 Ford Focus
  By gbowen3553 - July 10 - 2:17 pm

  I bought my 05 Focus, used, three years ago. I was looking for dependable, cheap transportation for my Daughter. 90k miles later, I am Not dissapointed! Extreemly Dependable, low maintenance cost, high gas mileage (31 MPG in City), ang plenty of get up and go for a 4 Cyl. Very smooth Automatic, with overdrive, The interior and the Trunk are Huge, especially for a small car. Plenty of Grocery Room. Road noise is very noticeable, but what small car doesnt have that? Overall an outstanding little car and YES, I would purchase another!!

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  2002 Ford Explore Limited 4.6L V8 - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By carguy03 - July 9 - 10:08 pm

  Purchased this vehicle in October 2010, and really liked it, but after I drove it for a while, I realized that I didnt have enough leg room, Im 64". The Explorer had a lot of power, and would get you where you needed to go!

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  Thrilled with my choice of vehicle PartII - 2008 Ford Focus
  By itzmynz2 - July 9 - 5:04 pm

  I wrote a review 20AUG2008, I am writing part two today. I am still very thrilled with the decision I made to purchase my brand new 2008 Ford Focus S. I do wish at the time I was not in desperate need to get out of my Land Rover, because I would have placed more time and attention into the details of an S versus the other upgraded models. I have not had any major deficiencies. I have only had to change tires and purchase new battery. I am at approx. 56k miles now and my Focus has never failed me. I have been itching to purchase another SUV however, I read reviews and see how much it cost to fuel it I immediately get settled back into my Focus.

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  Fun Car - 2011 Ford Mustang
  By davyx38 - July 8 - 7:27 pm

  I have had the 5.0 for about 6 months now and would say overall Im impressed. As far as performance goes it is top notch. From the manual, engine, brakes, to the handling everything comes together. Other things I like is overall comfort, the car is quiet on the highway and seating is good. Overall most professional reviews hit the good and bad for this car. Im averaging about 19.5 mpg with the 3.55.

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  GT auto transmission hesitation - 2011 Ford Mustang
  By paboy1 - July 7 - 2:37 pm

  I am a proud owner of a 2011 Mustang GT and it has for the most part been the best mustang I have ever owned. I do have one concern and it is the automatic transmissions timing. I have read alot about problems with the manual transmission online, but I have had issues with my transmission being very hesitent. I am wondering if anyone has similar issues? I notice it more in the mornings and when i am slowing at stop signs in town..there seems to be too long of smooth shift from the gearing? sometimes i put on the gas and its sits a bit then kicks in and jerks my head. this is a new transmission for me (6 speed) and told by Ford it is a normal variant to this transmission. anyone else???