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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  Typical Poor workmanship - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By Kipiew - April 24 - 10:00 am

  My Ford is the reason why my mechanic can afford to buy a house in this real estate market.

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  ford taurus station wagon - 1995 Ford Taurus
  By andymcclung - April 17 - 2:00 am

  the ford Taurus Wagon was a bad purchase the 3.8 liter V6 was taken under extended warranty to a ford dealership for repair of a bad head gasket. The repaired engine lasted less the 30,000 miles before the same problem again. Ford Motor company refuses to do amythng about this recurring problem. They cannont even give a educated answer as to why they cannot fix a head gasket problem on this engine with any sort of resonable relibility to follow. If you own or are contemplating purchasing a ford vehicle with the 3.8 Liter V6 stop. This motor is unreliable.

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  If this isnt crap, I dont know what is - 2002 Ford Windstar
  By CoolpersonNot - April 11 - 2:00 am

  The worst van on the market? Definitely. After having this pos in the shop 4 times for the same problem and now suing the dealer under the lemon law, I am totally fed up. Im taking the money from the settlement and do what I should have done to begin with - buy an Odyssey.

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  The Card Tower of Cars? - 1995 Ford Probe
  By josh82257 - April 9 - 2:00 am

  From the moment you drive off the lot, the car decreases in value. True. This thing was worth about as much as a sixteenth of a gallon of gas once I drove onto the highway and the transmission started clunking. Since, parts have been falling out and breaking, and the car smells like dead fish in late August. It looks like an 80s box-mobile too. Please, no matter how little cash you have, do not get a Probe

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  Fix Or Repair Daily Focus - 2007 Ford Focus
  By Zal - April 5 - 10:21 am

  This car has been nothing but problems since new. It eats tires fast no cam camber adjustment on the rear wheels. The A/C quit working at 50k. The alternator has been replaced twice. The transmission had to be replaced. Need to remove bumper cover to replace headlamps. The cable for the hvac blend door had to be replaced. The A/C compressor had to be replaced. The center arm rest is caving in. The trunk wont close properly. Rear main seal leak. This car is horrible for winter driving even with blizzack snow tires. This will be my first and last ford.

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  Dont buy a 2016 FORD EXPLORER..... - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By A - March 19 - 7:16 pm

  My 2016 Ford Explorer was purchased in March. It has about 6,000 miles on it and it completely stopped in the middle of the road. Im so disappointed.... A 50,000 dollar car should be made a whole lot better than this. This is happening to all of the 2016 explorers as I just so happened to drive a rented one while on a business trip and the same exact thing happened. I guess I have bad luck!!! we need to complain this is absolutely not right!!!!!!!

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  Ford Explorer - 1994 Ford Explorer
  By - March 11 - 11:24 am

  Front shakes, transmission replaced and now going out again. Poor gas mileage. CD Player non-working.

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  Explorer - 1992 Ford Explorer
  By LeftGuard2003 - March 3 - 5:26 pm

  When I purchesd my exploer with 63,000 miles, I thought I wouldnt have any problems for a while. About 3 weeks after I bought it, The head gaskets went. And on top of that, that raditor went too. I have had it break down about 15 times. I get 10 to 12 miles per galon in the city and only 15 on the highway. Over all I think ford could have built a better car.

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  lemons n more lemons - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By Mr Howard - January 18 - 9:26 pm

  Never go to a used car dealer right after dropping off a rental with your kids in tow needing a vehicle immediately, the dealers take advantage therein knowing youre already in a squeeze, these vehicles are plagued with rear end vibrations, obviously during design some technician didnt do his mathematical grams/ounces/lbs correctly nor did he/s calibrate centrifugal force correctly, centrifugal is right, vibration is 55+ mph, Im not buying any ford explorers again.

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  Worst Mistake I ever made - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Jamie - December 10 - 7:20 am

  I bought my focus brand 2014 new and have had nothing but problems with it, 4 times in the shop over the shutter issue the last time I was waiting over 3 months for the clutch to be replaced due to back order part. I was scared driving this car the way it jerked when trying to take off. I finally got FMC on the phone and told them i do not feel safe at all driving this car. With in 2 weeks my part was sent to the dealer and the new clutch was installed. I am not holding my breath that it will not happen again from what I have been seeing from other owners.