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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  Fords Luxury Vehicle. - 2011 Ford Explorer
  By sonomamama - March 15 - 11:44 am

  Purchased a Ford Explorer Limited, fully loaded today. We love it! Its a new car and a fun gagdet in one. We have owned luxury vehicles (BMW X5), (Mercedes SUV) and this ranks right up there with them. My husband and I test drove fully loaded vehicles (Dodge Durango, GMC Acadia, Toyota 4 Runner, Honda Pilot, and Ford Explorer). Our decision was a no brainer. Heres what I love about the Explorer: Beautiful interior with tight seams, high quality leather, non pilling roof interior (similar to what you find in the BMWs), a touch screen (similar to an IPad) that plays DVDs, controls Entertainment, Phone, Navigation, Climate, etc. Your I-Phone syncs with it. It will store all your contacts.

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  2011 Ford Fusion SE AUTO - 2011 Ford Fusion
  By jmonahue1967 - March 14 - 6:56 pm

  averaged 19mpg until the car hit 3k miles and now its 24mpg combined. interior is excellent, tons of storage, pretty comfortable, good quality of materials. BAD: at 3200 miles, the car is hesitating, surging, and performing very poorly. will update after seeing the dealer this weekend. no other problems except the weird misfiring and poor performance lately. its not bad gas either. the car definitely does not get 29mpg on the highway. i took it for a 350 mile hwy trip and it averaged 24 mpg.

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  Never again - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By roadsgt97 - March 14 - 5:05 pm

  Putting a new engine in mine, cheaper then buying a new truck. I had lots of problems with the truck. Bought it new. I like the way it drives and handles but the repairs will make you go bankrupt. When the warrenty runs out get rid of it quick. WILL not buy another ford.

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  Very Reliable Car! - 2006 Ford Focus
  By sobefobik - March 14 - 12:55 pm

  Overall this has been a great car and I would purchase another. I have put over 110,000 on this car in 4 years with no problems other than replacing the alternator, which is a cheap fix. The CD player did break, too. Also, the rear brakes are very squeaky, which seems to be a common problem with the car. Ive driven this on several trips each being 2,000+ miles with NO problems.

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  took a $9000 loss to be rid of this car - 2001 Ford Focus
  By yuba4 - March 14 - 12:44 pm

  This should have been a great car, but was an absolute disaster. 17 service trips in first 16 months. Ford was uncooperative and rude. The worst of many problems was the rear brakes, which were always slightly engaged. This resulted in bad fuel economy, but FAR worse was that it was extremely dangerous to drive on ice and snow. The rear wheels constantly slid. I race autocross, ride motorcycles, and race bicycles so I know a ridiculously unsafe vehicle from a regular vehicle, but every contact point of Ford ignored my concerns and insisted I was just a bad driver. Send me a $9000 check, and I will CONSIDER buying another Ford. Lemon law only until 12k miles - went to heck at 15k

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  Pretty good car - 1997 Ford Taurus
  By madison77 - March 14 - 5:41 am

  My car is 14 years old and still running. Bought it used when it was 3 years old with 29,000 miles. It now has 123, something miles and still runs okay. Ive experienced problems time to time. Typical for an older car. My car likes to leak fluids a lot and burns oil in the engine area not the exhaust since I try to keep on top of the oil resovoir. My car has a problem with the door jam sensor. When I get in the car and close the door the car door sensor thinks the door is still open when it actually is closed. To this day it still does it and it drives me nuts but I dont want to spend money on fixing this problem. Its not worth it. Car still has good acceleration. I hate the fuel milage.

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  Not what I expected - 2008 Ford Fusion
  By pnoyes - March 12 - 11:18 pm

  I bought my fusion new, while trading in my 05 F150 for it to obtain better fuel economy. The biggest thing i cant stand about the car is winter driving. The traction isnt as good as any other front wheel drive cars ive drove, and the windshield wipers rest below where the defrost blows on the windshield (causing them to freeze over when not in action). The 2.3L engine is very underpowered, and doesnt really get the gas mileage that it suppose to. The last problem I have with this car is that the whole "best resale value" is a lie. I cant get out of the fusion into a truck again, even after paying on it for 3 years. All that aside, I have racked up 48k with no major problems.

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  I love my escape! - 2003 Ford Escape
  By esmith7 - March 12 - 11:48 am

  My escape has 175,000 and has only needed minor maintenance repairs.

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  LOVED IT FOR FIRST 250 MILES! - 2011 Ford F-150
  By jvttanner716 - March 12 - 12:43 am

  Purchased a 2011 XLT crewcab with 5.0 and 355 rear.At only aprox. 500 miles I loved the truck until I put it in 4 wheel drive. The truck had a thumping noise. With a visit to a Ford service center Im told it needs a" NEW " Front axle assy. With four days gone by and still not repaired Im convinced this purchase was a mistake.Its very hard to complete this review when I was only able to use this vehicle a couple of days before its extended stay in repair.Also this truck had a tag on the dash that stated, "selected by Ford for randome testing" Just not the four wheel drive system?

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  GOOD SOLID CAR - 1998 Ford Taurus
  By ssmarkk - March 11 - 12:12 pm

  I have purchased my car in 2002 with 72,000 miles on it. Now car has 131,000 miles and mechanically sounds perfectly. Had no major problems with the car at all. Since 2002 I had to change battery, the timing belt (at around 110,000 miles which is expected), belt tensioner, braking pads, boots and front rotors, turn signal switch, fuel filter, air filter, spark plugs, stabilizing link bars, 5 times changed expansion tank for cooling liquid, cabin and turning signal light bulbs, and, of course, tires. As you can see the most of the replacements are related to the routine maintenance. No problems with transmission and engine. This car become our family member.