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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  JUNK nothing but JUNK - 2011 Ford Escape
  By Found on ROAD DEAD - December 5 - 2:00 am

  Great looking SUV but its NO "Honda". Its just in the shop almost every other week. Engine, transmission, electrical, my stomach just gets in knots every time I drive it. Thank GOD! I have a LOVING DAD thats there for me.

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  Dont get a Fiesta - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By rm - November 28 - 2:00 am

  The car is in the shop right now after putting in only 100 miles.I have an engine light on and a traction control. The technician told me that they have to change the whole engine. They have to order the engine first and it would take probably two weeks to fix it. I bought the car because I read a lot of good reviews from this car. Im very disappointed!!

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  Not the quality I expected - 2010 Ford Fusion
  By charly - November 23 - 2:00 am

  We liked the sync system and the styling, thats why we bought it. Right off we noticed that the 4cylnder engine is under-powered. If I were to do it again I would spring for the v6 but I wont be. I am really disappointed in the build quality. I passed up on a Camry because of the high ratings of the fusion and now I am regretting it. After 8 months of ownership and 6 trips to the service department not including scheduled maintenance, Im taking a loss and getting out as soon as I can. An 8 month old car should not have weather stripping and window seals failing. only 2 reasons for this, poor quality or poor craftsmanship.

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  Dont buy - 2006 Ford Expedition
  By DONT BUY - November 22 - 2:00 am

  This is the worse SUV I have owned, I have to replace a coil every 2-3 months, it stalls sometime when driving. The factory spark plugs breaks off in the head of the motor, costing $300 to $2500 to replace, you have to remove the motor head, sometime the motor to remove the broken plug. Ford should have recalled the cars, trucks, and suvs thats having these problems.

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  50/50 Bar - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By JDAWG - November 21 - 2:00 am

  This car was chosen by my daughter as it was "new" and had great ads etc. It "looked great" I guess like a pair of shoes. I drove it and gently attempted to talk her out of it after I noticed the window sticker. No the mileage is pretty good if not great but its made in Mexico? I nearly had a myocardial infarction on the spot. I dont want a car made in Mexico, sorry folks its not that I dont like Mexico but honestly I just dont see this as a place that has a history of building great cars that last forever. Last I remember VW built their last beetles there? Anyway, yeah it squeaks, rattles and its getting worse not better, who takes it in. Yep its me. But could be worse?

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  Never Again - 2007 Ford F-150
  By sorryiboughtit - November 21 - 2:00 am

  Maybe there are others out there who have had similar problems and you can get back to me? Class action lawsuit?? Ford has continued to refuse to repair my 2007 f-150. The engine makes a raucous clicking noise that the service department from 2 different dealers and a ford "engineer" have not or will not identify. Ford has told me that this is as good as it gets. With the noise my truck makes I will never be able to sell it, even when I get the equity down to where it makes sense to sell it. My engine is a 5.4 liter 3 valve V-8. Dont but one of these trucks, you will be sorry and you will get in your truck every time you turn it on and say, "I hate this truck. We will never buy another ford

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  Do not buy ford - 2010 Ford Expedition
  By backdr10 - November 19 - 2:00 am

  This is the third expedition that I have owned . Fords customer service has not changed since 2003. I spent over 50 k on this vehicle and after 800 miles , 3 dealerships, and 6 visits to the shops I still have a vibration in the front end. The people at Ford try to tell you that its normal and that nothing is wrong , but with each visit tires are rebalanced -taken off of the rims rotated and still a vibration. So one tire is found to be bad and replaced, but nothing is being done about the others that will not keep a balance. Ford completely insults my intelligence and treats me as if I am crazy. This is a damned joke. It does not matter if you are loyal to Ford and it certainly does not mat

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  Worst truck ever - 1999 Ford Ranger
  By j - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Things started going wrong with this truck early--fairly new & with low mileage--joints, springs, bearings, steering, brake lines, electrical, exhaust. Not reliable at all. This vehicle is a joke really.

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  Junk! - 1997 Ford F-150
  By jeff - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Motor had radiator fluid in the vents, Walker Ford completely finished off the motor trying to fix it! I drove it in and had to tow the truck out!

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  No know fix for odd vibrations - 2010 Ford Focus
  By nomoreFord - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Well, 11,000 miles and 7 multi-day trips to the dealer and still no fix for the constant shimmy, shake, odd vibration at 50 mph and above. I feel my families safety in compromised by riding in this vehicle! Dealer focused only on the tires. After the third trip I no longer received any paperwork. No paper trail for Lemon Law. Wow, I buy American for the first time in my life and get junk! So much for Fords supposed incredible quality improvements? I guess I was a fooled.