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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  Pretty Good So Far - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By explorerowner - April 6 - 2:14 pm

  I bought the Explorer over the Cherokee, even though the Cherokee had more options, at a lower price. My truck drives very well, and has incurred very few problems. The paint job of the vehicle is another issue. My black paint is cracking on the roof and hood of the car. I have always washed and waxed the car thoroughly, and wish this would not happen. The paint on the roof racks is also coming off.

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  Mustang GT - 2005 Ford Mustang
  By Carl Thomas - April 5 - 3:45 pm

  since owning the car I have had many favorable comments on the new design. All my friends that have driven the car are impressed with the handling and performance.

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  Festiva - 1993 Ford Festiva
  By Brian - April 4 - 4:44 pm

  I bought my Festiva new in 1993 for $5600. Today it has 225,000 miles on it and still gets over 40 mpg. I too have gone through mufflers but only had to pay for the first because of the lifetime warranty. Add the brakes to that list of lifetime warranty only had to buy the first set. When the old girl does decide to give up the ghost I wish that I would be able to bye a new one. Sad to think, that I canÂ’t get them here in the states. I think the Festiva or there predecessor can be found in Brazil? Good commuter car and great in the city for parking. The guys at work tease me but hell IÂ’ve watched them buy car after car through the years. What a car.

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  SHES STILL GOING! - 1990 Ford Festiva
  By TEEJAY - April 3 - 9:29 pm

  Well here I am again. Now my little white wonder has almost 268k and is still running. I bought a new Dodge Dakota in 04 and I like the truck, but with gas prices determined to stay $3 a gallon I drive my Festy to work most of the time. I recently retrofitted the a/c to 134a and its nice & cold now. I basically use no oil between my 4k oil changes and just recently changed the timing belt, water pump & transmission fluid. So all in all this little car has far surpassed my expectations. You big suv drivers can laugh all you want, but I get 35mpg and didnt pay $40k for my commuter. My annual insurance costs are probably less than one of your car payments. So whos laughing now ha!ha!

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  Super Stiff Suspension - 2005 Ford F-150
  By dan - April 2 - 3:56 am

  I find it bounces around a lot when driving at slower speeds. I also have the chatter on the floor boards on the driver side. My 95 F150 was a smoother ride!

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  2016 F150 XLT 4x4 3.5L Ecoboost Engine - 2016 Ford F-150
  By Bob - April 1 - 7:46 pm

  I just purchased a new 2016 F150 truck and overall its a good truck. Some of my concerns are as follows. 1.) I wish Ford would put more technology and engineering into the suspension. I know it is a truck, but cant a truck be engineered accommodate different driving conditions? Say two settings; one for hauling and one for general driving. Do I have to get beat up all the time just so I can have a truck for occasional hauling and towing? 2.) The transmission seams to shift too soon most of the time. Ive read where the transmission will adapt to a driver, but overall it drops into second gear too soon, and is a little slow to downshift when necessary. Currently I have 500 miles on the truck and I hope to get 100,000. Time will tell. If you consider getting the 2.7L Ecoboost engine know that it has an auto shut off. In other words the engine will automatically shut off at stops. It can be turned off but you will need to turn it off each time you start the engine. Another thought is to make sure you buy from a knowledgeable sales person. There are so many options when it comes to towing and hauling you better do your homework.

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  A distinctive small car - 2002 Ford Focus
  By Raymond - April 1 - 3:34 pm

  Even 5 years on, when I looked for a small car to buy the Focus stood out. The best aspects are a unique style inside and out, a user friendly interior and seating position, the best handling of any non-sport compact but a comfortable suspension worthy of a larger car. Dont worry, I say this having test driven the Corolla, Civic and Golf. On the downside, the fuel economy is not as good as it should be for a small car, the reliability is acceptable, but not bullet-proof and there are a few annoyances that are easily overshadowed by the good points

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  fun in the stang - 1996 Ford Mustang
  By mustanger96 - March 31 - 1:40 pm

  I bought this car in November 2005 from a wholesale auto store. Was not sure what I was getting but I changed all of the fluids. The check engine light was on when I got it, the students at the local community college-automotive tech program checked it out and I needed a purge solenoid - $10.00 part. I bought two new tires and got it aligned and its been great! 79,000 miles on it and its still turning heads.

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  Cost Effective - 2007 Ford Mustang
  By harperfam - March 27 - 10:00 pm

  I purchased this car as a toy, since it is my second driver. Overall I am pleased with the vehicle but not overwhelmed by it. However, I am a performance junky so now stock car is ever good enough. For the money I feel that it is one of the best, sports car buys out there. But with cheap price some sacrifices must me made. I feel the interior could stand to have some increased quality parts and the back seat needs to be a bit larger. Average MPG is good for a V8 at about 22 MPG, in mixed driving. My last toy was a Mitsu EVO 8. As far as looks the Mustang wins hands down, but in the performance dept. the EVO dominates.

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  First Van - 2001 Ford Windstar
  By Phillip - March 27 - 12:15 am

  Hard to find a van with such great features and an attractive look. We looked for months to catch a great deal and what a deal we got. Bought it 5 years used and still looked brand new. Lots of power and love the easy oil changes compared to my 2001 Ford ZX2 (oil filter almost impossible to remove) that I currently own as well. Have newborn twins and a 3 year old and it fits them all nicely and the strollers and groceries as well. Overall it has impressed this Ford Man!