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:

• 

  Fifi - 2005 Ford Focus
  By djd7241 - April 12 - 8:51 am

  I named her Fifi. Its short for Felicia Ford Focus. For a car that I am so often complimenting, she needed a name. Pushing 77000 miles and my only only problem EVER was an air bag light that came on and was fixed under warranty. Ive gone through a couple sets of tires though. Its a respectable looking car but nothing exciting. Its a little louder than some other cars out there, but nothing unbearable. Its got some serious pep and corners amazingly. Took a 1200 mile trip this past may, cruise set at 90-95, A/C on full blast and pretty much everything I own in the back seat and trunk, I still got close to 29mpg. It may not seem great, but I was sure impressed. Great Auto Trans.

• 

  A Keeper - 2007 Ford Focus
  By marcopolo6 - April 12 - 4:36 am

  I bought this car with 18,000 miles on it. Had to replace water pump shortly after purchase (covered under warranty.) Airbag dash light comes on occasionally. Replaced left rear tail light bulb twice (so far.) Tires needed replacement at about 25,000 miles.

• 

  15,000 miles AC Compressor failed - 2010 Ford Taurus
  By same_ole_ford - April 11 - 4:49 pm

  There is not a lot to say $30K+ and the AC compressor failed-broke the drive belt 2nd new car I have had to tow to the dealer - 1st one was an then new 1985 Ford Escort - the Cam shaft belt broke - around 15,000 miles Ford begrudging fixed the engine after I told them I was was going to rent the lot across the street and park my lemon with signage to the fact why it was parked there. I agree with Mr. Lemon going back to Honda.

• 

  Happy New Owner of 2011 Lariat Limited - 2011 Ford F-150
  By mike8183 - April 11 - 3:46 pm

  Have a 2005 F150, best vehicle ever owned and just purchased the new 2011 Lariat Limited. Fantastic truck, all the gadgets you can think of and turn heads everywhere. MPG is ugly but thats expected. Looking forward to many years of pleasure. Considered many other trucks and SUVs but Ford is aggressive on discounts off MSRP. Dont think you can beat the bang for the buck on this!

• 

  Love my windstar~hate poor engineering on recent recalls~ford is handling this wrong - 2001 Ford Windstar
  By teh1223 - April 10 - 10:42 pm

  We bought our windstar in 2002 with 14,000 miles 2nd owner. I love my minivan. It is comfortable and gets good gas mileage. works well weather I am hauling people or cargo. has 165,000 on it but in new transmission at 154,000. no other no big problems just small stuff. But now with the rear axle and the front sub frame rust problems just dont know. Ford says it is safe to drive. fix will be months. Husband who is machinist and brother mechanic says the motor mount on pass side is split. We had planned to keep this van for a couple of more years. But husband says it is gone. I have always had a ford and now it looks like I am getting a Chrysler. Yuck! Freestar is the same chasis.

• 

  Focus on bang for buck - 2006 Ford Focus
  By bliston1 - April 9 - 1:56 pm

  First real car that ive purchased coming from driving a dodge neon that i put way to much time into keeping running been driving this car since 01/08 and its been doing great, now ive been reading through the reviews saying that its bad in the snow, and im going to go out on a limb and just say they must have bald tires or be horrible drivers. living in Logan Utah i have yet to have any problems through out the 3 winters that ive had this car, and Ive got 40k+ on the all weather tires. Also im 61 and fit very well into the car with plenty of room to spare may be a bit low to get into but not that bad,

• 

  Great car - 2008 Ford Fusion
  By timmy3104 - April 8 - 6:55 pm

  I have 72000 miles on it. I have only had one problem with it in 72k with was the Alternator went out at 50k. It was covered under my bumper to bumper so I only had to pay 100 bucks to get it fixed. I get 28 MPG with the ac on doing 75 to 80. I put Michelin energy saver tires on and am hoping that gets even better. The SYNC is the best use it everyday so easy to use. The V6 is great put your foot to the floor and it goes. This is by far the best car I have every driven.

• 

  Transmission Replaced at 300 miles - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By jartiv - April 7 - 10:17 pm

  Performance: unless we measure performance with how loud of a scrapping noise the transmission makes, than I give the Fiesta a 1. Comfort: 53" Driver, I am not comfortable without an armrest. 511" side passenger has seat all the way back. 50 driver cant fit behind 511". Value: paid 15k for an SE Sedan with Super Fuel Economy (code for cruise control) and Sync (bluetooth connectivity) and a transmission that made scrapping noise. 1. Interior/Exterior Design: trendy. 4. Build Quality: transmission replaced at 300 miles. 1. Reliability: transmission replaced at 300 miles. 1.

• 

  Bought it for the SYNC - 2011 Ford Fusion
  By jb3600 - April 7 - 9:48 am

  I was very excited when I saw the commercials for SYNC. I love using my iPhone, and I was very excited to see that Ford promised integration with it. I couldnt be more disappointed with how poorly it works. It drops my phone all the time and the voice features stop working completely. The solutions recommended to me by Ford were to take the battery out of my car. That made it work for a week, then it crapped out again. Needless to say, this is not a working solution for me. If youre buying for the SYNC, expect to have constant problems with it with no help from Ford.

• 

  Great SUV! - 2011 Ford Edge
  By smithfarms500 - April 6 - 7:35 am

  I had my Ford Edge for about a month now and I love driving it everywhere. I live on a dairy farm and needed a more realistic vehicle than our trucks we have. The Edge was the suv that stood out most to us. The exterior is fabulous how all the lines of the car just flow. The inside and the technology is unbeatable. We were looking at other suvs and none at anyother company could beat this technology. The engine was the number one important concern for us. We wanted a strong and powerful engine that could handle the wear and tear a farm has on cars. The edge does great with our stone lane, back roads and sometimes field drives. The only thing we would change is possibly putting a third row!