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:

• 

  99 Ford Contour se comfort sport - 1999 Ford Contour
  By Snowman - September 25 - 10:31 pm

  Well for what I can say is that its only a good car for a few years but after 100,000 miles you better just hang it up problem after problems and it drives and performs at a milaseconds and havent drove any other ford better but the enignes fail badley after 100,000 miles and the transmission begins to have major problems only after 80,000 miles and that in my book is very poorly and I think ford should replace the engines and transmission including the malfunctioning computer systems at fords cost because why should we pay 15 to 20000 dollars for a car that wont last for more than 115000 miles when the car has always been worked on by a pro and then having to another 8 grand to fix it.

• 

  Bad start with Ford - 2009 Ford Escape
  By YB - September 25 - 5:23 pm

  This is the first Ford vehicle I buy and I am very disappointed with the build quality. First 2 weeks and there is already a welding spot inside the left rear end that causing a constant ratlle sound upon departure. The dealer fixed it but it left me with a very sour taste about Ford quality. Especially because I had driven only in city roads and not off-road. Now I noticed the sound that many forums people have experienced. I really wonder what is next...

• 

  Great Car - 2007 Ford Edge
  By Jaje38 - September 25 - 4:46 pm

  Got 1400 miles so far, took on 800 mile trip, great ride,very quiet on the road. A little disappointed in the fuel mileage, 21 tops on road.

• 

  This cant be a FORD! - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By John Mood - September 25 - 4:06 pm

  We have owned our 500 LTD AWD for a month. Absolutely LOVE it. Went to N.H. last weekend and averaged 26.6 mpg highway. Had a "glitch" with the Nav system the first morning. Temp was in the mid 30s. Its been OK since. Also a squeak developed in the right rear tire area while we were up north. Other than these two things , the car runs great, looks great, and most people CANT believe its a Ford.

• 

  222,000 miles and still going! - 1998 Ford Contour
  By newbie - September 25 - 2:45 pm

  Yes, can you believe it! 222,000 miles on this thing, and I am still driving it! I bought this car in 2000 with about 30,000 miles on it, and have had to replace NOTHING under the hood except spark plugs, spark wires, filters - just regular tune-up stuff! I had also purchased a 2005 Focus - but I like my Contour much better. Comfort and interior style were lacking in my Focus. Love this car - I would definitely buy another if they were only still made...

• 

  I go far in my ford aspire! - 1997 Ford Aspire
  By Levantera - September 25 - 1:47 pm

  I lived in ks, ar, and now ia. I make frquent trips back and forth to those places. It costs me $35 to get to Ar from Ia.This car has amazing gas milage. I have put over ten thousand miles on mine in the last 4 months and it only has 85k on it as of now. My dad got it for him self and then upgraded to a 2007 crown vic. So he gave it to me he payed $900 cach for the aspire. Bad things about this car: My trim around the wind shield is coming off. The to trim that seals the car comes off. And its sorta fast but not really. i think its acceleration is descent for a ford aspire (mainly cause its a stick) So yeah its a great starter car good for long trips on gas not comfort.

• 

  Read before you buy - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By Dimattei5 - September 25 - 9:54 am

  I have owned a 2005 Ford Fresstyle since last year and now it has been in the shop for a Throttle body issues. The car revs up and shuts down. This part is on Backorder and will not be available until Jan 2010. I have been withour my car for 70 days now. Ford is not helpful an supporting the customer. No one will call me back. BUYER BEWARE....

• 

  "Simply the Best" - 2007 Ford Expedition
  By Matt&Sara - September 25 - 7:54 am

  We test drove every full size SUV out there and it came down to the Expedition and the Tahoe. The interior and over all features the Expedition offered was far superior to the Tahoe. We love this SUV and it fits perfectly into our Family and have no regrets. I highly recommend driving this vehicle and comparing. Get it loaded with everything.

• 

  Piece of junk! - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By Matt - September 24 - 9:50 pm

  Well if your looking for a gas sucker this is your kinda car! Ive had it for almost a year myself. My father knew the ppl who bought it brand new. They took good care of it but no matter how well you treat a Ford, they always fail on you. It sucks gas, looks ugly and is louder then a mack truck! And make sure your ready for the expressway because if you want to speed up to pass your going to have to floor it otherwise the tranny stays in the same gear and you dont go anywhere! Whatever you do dont buy this thing, and i thought my sebring was bad!

• 

  39 Thousand miles today 1.5 years - 2008 Ford Focus
  By sparkman7x7 - September 24 - 4:13 pm

  Little red jewel leather seating love it 32 to 39 MPG never below 32 Im 6 ft 300lbs it rides great been on 5 1000 mile trips 2500 miles a week to work and back lots of room for me the wife and our poodle second set of tires no problems at all better than Honda or Toyotas we have had drive one before decide on a small car did I mention it has more leg room than any other small car we looked at, and that is pretty much all of them...