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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  I love my Escape - 2003 Ford Escape
  By pammymc - November 23 - 5:46 pm

  I bought this car new. I have had no real issues with it other than brake wear (my driving habbits-not the cars fault. Had to get new rotors twice.) & the starter went out @ 35K. The interior has taken a beating from my kids but a little Folex & it looks like new again. The radio is ok. I love my 6 disc CD changer. It doesnt have Aux plugs so no I-pod in the car. The thing is driving habbits determine alot how your car is going to perform. Flippling from reverse to drive while still moving will screw the transmission on any car. Some drivers migt want to examine their habits before the scrap the car. Overall Id buy another one if my credit wasnt messed up with this economy!

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  Stay away from these cars - 2001 Ford Focus
  By Nathan M. - November 23 - 4:43 pm

  This car was purchased used from a private seller in early 2009 to be used as a commuter vehicle in Canada. The car passed a licenced (3rd party) inspection when I bought it, but has since required ~$3,000 in repairs in the nine months that I have been driving it - about the same amount I spent buying the wretched thing. So far the front shocks & struts have had to be replaced twice (the first OEM replacement parts broke less than a month after being replaced by a licensed shop), the front brake pads, rotors, & calipers, the rear brake cylinders, the heater core, and the OEM 6-CD stereo. Needless to say, I wont be buying another Ford in the foreseeable future.

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  excellent - 2000 Ford F-150
  By doris - November 23 - 1:09 pm

  This truck is beast!! It has pulled a 2wd ford off the beach that was stuck. Its drifted around corners, hit junk, been hit by junk, drove through mud holes and anything else I ask it to do and its done all this without ever even being close to getting stuck or getting damaged cosmetically. I havent had to do anything but change the oil and it keeps destroying every challenge I give it. Try all that with a Ram 1500, you will be stuck spinning wheels in less than an hour.

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  Nice - 2006 Ford Econoline Wagon
  By timmy - November 23 - 4:30 am

  Traded a E-350 for the Chateau. A lot of difference in ride and mileage. Having 4 captain seats is great. I would buy another one.

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  Liked the car Didnt like the repairs - 2006 Ford Focus
  By Holly - November 23 - 2:47 am

  I drove my Focus for just shy of three years when it met a premature death in an accident about a month ago. Honestly, I liked the look of my car and had a lot of fun with it. Unfortunately, my transmission failed at 37,000 miles just beyond the when the factory warrenty expired requiring a rebuild. Two months after the the transmission fiasco, the front drivers side wheel bearing woreout. Also, the CD player was rather tempermental. It only worked when the temperature outside ranged from 60-80 degrees. Im not very sure what that issue pertained to as it seemed to be a luxury concern compared to the other required repairs to a new college grad with student loans!

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  HATE IT!!!!!!! - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By Andy - November 22 - 11:11 pm

  I bought this suv with 20,000 miles on it and it drove good, until the rear window wiper broke, passenger handle droke. Also the radio button is broken and cant turn it off. The windows shake when you roll them down, and it makes a weird sound when you go over rocks and bumps. The lock in the back of the suv broke and now makes a load sound when you lock the doors.

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  Flex/Box - 2010 Ford Flex
  By willbeblood - November 22 - 11:03 pm

  Just purchased, so that being said... Love it at this point. I did not want it, the wife did. I would have loved to have picked up a Sequoia but with all the toys it defeated the purpose of saving some $$ This ride is tight. Somebody gets it at Ford. Not the aesthetic dept. but engineering team did some homework. Things are where they should be and they work. The paddle shifters are a great feature to snap you out those times you see yourself driving by a window. Handles great, breaking you feel that youve got some weight behind you. Coming from an H2 its a little better but close. NAV system and voice rec. is very good, parking assist is really cool. If your a Mac, its a Mac.

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  Room for all & CARGO! - 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Joel - November 22 - 8:13 pm

  Terrific small SUV to drive. I am very surprised of the power (when you need it) with both the batteries and the 4 cylinder gas engine kicking in. It does not take very long at all for the generators to recharge the batteries either. Its not just a small commuter car, there is actually room to take people & luggage to the airport, vacations, etc.

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  Trac Lover - 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By dizazter - November 22 - 6:30 pm

  Ive been searching for a 4x4 for the last month, and kept coming back to the Sport Trac. I got a great deal on this 05 with tons of features that will more than meet my needs. Will be great for work and personal travel and elegant enough for a night out on the town.

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  BAD TRANSMISSION - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By Tina - November 22 - 3:55 pm

  My transmission went out at 50,000 miles without any warning. I was nearly hit as there was no shoulder to pull over to. I was accelerating around a corner then absoultely nothing. Without proof of transmission service at exactly no more than 30999 miles warrantee is void. NO transmission should go out at 50000 miles, yet Ford is not recalling this problem. Shame on you Ford. Never again.