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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  Disappointing - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Discouraged - August 12 - 4:18 pm

  Im very upset with this car and the way Ive been treated since buying it! Ive had the car in the shop 4 times since purchased (but could have taken it in many more times). I purchase new cars for the safety and reliability that comes with it. Unfortunately, the car has neither! Ive had it in for brakes, transmission, radio, sync system & various other issues. I dont have the time to continuously take a brand new car in weekly. Now they are saying that my problems are not reproducible and oh well. I had a Honda(no problems) previously and bought American to support our Country just for the dealer to say oh well deal with it! I dont understand what happened to quality & customer service?

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  Crazy to buy this! - 2003 Ford Taurus
  By Crazywoman - August 6 - 12:08 pm

  I was desperate to get a car while having bad credit. I had been unemployed for almost a year, had to turn in my previous vehicle. The dealer could smell my fear a mile away & took advantage of me .I thought I would have reliable transport. Oh, no. Ive put $2000+ in repairs on this piece of crap in 2.5 years. Brakes squeal and 2 brake shops say they are very good. Something wrong with a rod and the radiator cracked sitting at home for 2 days. Windshield washers are disintegrated. I use a spray bottle. I hate the car. I shouldve taken more time to look around. No Fords OR Chevys for me EVER again. 21 mpg is NOT good mileage, either. Its another Edsel.

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  Piece of Junk - 2003 Ford Taurus
  By eltorodriver - August 5 - 9:33 pm

  Love ford, and I have had other Taurus models. This one is not reliable, always in the shop. Very little pick up for a 6V engine. Brakes stink. Parts are of poor quality. Things break easily. Would not buy this year and model. For Ford, this is very POOR quality, redundant design, and low performance. Sadly, this is one of my worst cars.

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  Paint literally dissolving off of hood! - 2005 Ford Taurus
  By Paula Odom - August 1 - 10:11 pm

  Within the last six months, the paint on my hood is literally dissolving away to bare metal. The vehicle drinks gas, the floor board leaks water into the car when it rains, the carpeting is terrible and the transmission is going out. This is probably the worse vehicle I have ever owned. Ill never buy another Ford again!

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  Money Pit - 2003 Ford Focus
  By u2 - August 1 - 10:01 pm

  Been towed to repair shops about a dozen times over the past 6 years. I would not buy a ford focus again.

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  Ford Taurus, Bad decision - 2002 Ford Taurus
  By INDYLAC - July 29 - 1:03 pm

  Every Ford Taurus I have ever owned, ( Ive owned three unfortunately) have emission system failure. It is extremely costly. Although you can drive the car until its last legs, it will continue to deteriorate without any hopes of getting it fixed. Every diagnostics is different went attempting to repair it. Sensors, intake valves, exhaust. You name it. The car hesitates and will not go. Not even Ford is able to completely fix this defect and when I Google it nobody else does. If you buy one it might be great for about a year, sell it fast!

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  Terrible car. - 2001 Ford Focus
  By Tman - July 24 - 1:25 am

  We bought this car with around 30,000 miles on it. And ever since its been one problem after another! Weve had to replace all 4 tires nearly every 16 months! The upper engine mount has needed to be replaced twice. The passengers side strut needed to be replaced 3 times. The radio goes off intermittently and you need to push the faceplate back in. the ignition wasnt working right. The car sputters sporadically. It doesnt like to start on rainy days. has bad gas mileage for a 4 cyl. Its poor in the snow. the a/c stopped working and wont stay charged. The list goes on and on. The car was designed by monkeys. Its a piece of junk, we will NEVER buy a ford again

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  oh hum - 2009 Ford F-150
  By cretisan - July 20 - 8:21 pm

  Havent had this truck a month yet and am trying to get out of it. The interior is beautiful but it is so uncomfortable. Ford just threw everything in with no thought to actual placement, height etc. It shifts so erratically that its annoying and dont try to use the passing gear in a hurry because there could literally be a 3-5 sec delay before the truck figures out what to do.

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  Buyers Beware - 2005 Ford Mustang
  By Pamela - July 20 - 10:42 am

  Growing up with many Fords, even going back to the Model - Ts, I have to say this is the worst car to purchase and has ruined my relationship with Ford and its products. The car was ordered to gain all features desired the dealership had to order it twice to get it right! As of buying it Jan of 2005 I have had: two dead batteries, all sensors replaced twice for doors and trunk, when filling gas tank the pump clicks out and/or then the tank will over fill and spill about a gallon of gas, windows stuck in the down position when closing the doors, fuel emission issues, same tail light burning out, paint separation from body in spots, constant rattling noise, CONT BELOW

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  Not so good for intense driving - 2001 Ford Escort
  By kevin - July 18 - 12:50 am

  I have to drive a lot between places, and this car I bought in 06 with 70,000 miles for only $4,000. The first two years were good, up until 110,000 miles. Transmission needs work now, things keep braking on this car (leaks) unfortunately at this point, the upkeep is getting high I might as well buy a car. A/C blows weak, and my compressor wont make cold air now. I dont know how anyone gets 30 MPG on this. I usually get 350 Miles on a tank, and the tank is 13 gallons, so its 26 MPG for me. Good first car, rides a bit low for me, and dents easily.