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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  Base Hit Â… No Home Run - 2013 Ford Fusion
  By g0west - April 17 - 7:42 pm

  The redesigned Fusion is a well-executed sedan with a few shortcomings that cant be ignored. It does the most important things well: a supremely comfortable ride, an invigorating drivetrain, and looks that strangers still comment on. The shopping was over when I drove the Fusion. I still like it after one year of ownership, but it has some annoyances (see below) that buyers should be aware of.

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  2012 Ford Focus SEL - 2012 Ford Focus
  By carbrokedad - April 15 - 12:02 pm

  I bought this car for my 18 year old daughter to take to college. It had 42,000 when purchased. She has driven it 6,000 miles so far and is very happy with the car. The car has the peculiar shifting issues due to the automatic/manual transmission, but does not have any oil leaks or other problems that have been mentioned in previous reviews. I just went to visit a college with her that was 700 mile trip and car got 34 mpg. Im very happy with that as her previous vehicle best was 24 mpg. The passenger seat was rather uncomfortable for me but Im an old man. The stereo/sound system (sync) seemed me to sound very good. The back shelf has dry rotted around vent holes as others said.

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  Okay... but disappointed - 2012 Ford Focus
  By kann993 - April 15 - 11:54 am

  I purchased this car seven months ago. Its okay, but I definitely regret buying this car. I did not know the automatic transmission was not your usual automatic its a dual-clutch auto manual, which causes it to be jerky in stop and go traffic (which for me is every day). This is so annoying and there is nothing Ford can do. Ive already had the clutch replaced. I guess its just how this car is. The audios dial isnt true to what it actually sounds like. A "6" sounds like what should be a "15". I also dont like how theres no interior storage. The little storage they have on the door handles are so tiny I dont know what could fit in it. I am trading this car in for sure.

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  Really cant complain... - 2010 Ford Fusion
  By ffusion2010 - April 14 - 7:36 pm

  I drove my brand new 2010 fusion right off the dealership lot and today....4yrs and 118K miles later really and truly cannot complain about it - from the perspective of what I paid and what I got. I have had some of the issues other mentioned: ie throttle body (still waiting on reimbursement from Ford) and now the transmission is starting to slip a little. Ive been lucky with the dealership (afterall I am back there almost every 3 months to get the "works" service done) - thankfully havent had to do more than the regular service.

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  Bad Clutch - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By mellojenni - April 9 - 8:46 am

  I have had my car for about 8 months and it is already in the shop getting a new clutch put it. It only has 15,600 miles on it. I took it to the shop twice before, the third time was the charm apparently. I wouldnt buy this car until they fix the clutch/transmission issues.

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  I "was" so happy - 2012 Ford Focus
  By daisyp - April 8 - 2:17 am

  I was so happy when I first bought this car but like another reviewer said, I soon regretted ever buying it. I have been to Fords service department so many times, people joke and say "Hi, you again?" The transmission in this car is a disaster, The car jerks and rattles so much, Im in constant fear its going to shut off. It took over 4 times of me taking the car in to Ford for them to finally admit there was something wrong with the transmission, before that they kept saying "Oh thats normal". The air conditioning gets hot and cold on its own and they also say they cant find the problem. So Im done with this car and in the process of the Lemon Law.

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  Unacceptable sounds - 2012 Ford Fusion
  By snowwhite1964 - April 7 - 7:35 pm

  I am getting very tired of the high pitched whistling sound that I have been told is from the fuel pump. I have complained about this but the dealership says its normal for a fusion. Additionally, at 1500 rpms, it makes what I would describe as the sound of a small motor boat. This sound is most notable while turning the car or on non-level ground. The dealership and my husband both say, this is normal. Also, there have been issues with the gas cap housing and filler pipe that have had to be fixed.

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  Depends on hwo you evaluate things - 2000 Ford Expedition
  By cajunflipper - March 31 - 1:11 pm

  200,650 miles, mpg-avg 14 in city,17 hwy Improper original windshield install caused water to leak through dask and into fuse box causing lose of underhood lite, courtsey overhead maps lites, and rear wiper motor quit. Ford wouldnt cover it. Overhead map reading courtesy lites, just changing the bulbs major ordeal, micro thin electrical film circuitry under the bulb tore (1/8" wide). Unless you are an electrical engineer or know someone who is, you either get a new (whole overhead unit),used $50 if you pulled it from scrape yard, new approx $350 if you can get one. Extreme poor design, this and many other areas.

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  Great Car - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By sethjg - March 31 - 10:51 am

  i have a 05 Limited Freestyle has 79,000 miles, bought it from my aunt and its been a great car since just dont drive it hard simple as that its a heavy car if you put the peddle to the floor constintly expect problems.. and keep it maintained the car will last for a long time and check for recalls before fixing anything.

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  02 Ford f-150 2wd 2door XL - 2002 Ford F-150
  By jacob19 - March 26 - 5:25 pm

  I have had this truck for 6 years and have no problems with it, great truck, I use it all day for my job and the 4.6 triton v8 is good on gas mileage on the highway but crappy around daily neighborhood driving, and occasionally every now and then its good at going on the trails. One problem Ive had was with a vacume hose that was pinched because it was dry rotted, so it made the truck lose power and die at stop lights, but once I found the problem, everything is all good... great truck, very dependable and reliable