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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  Perfect - 2006 Ford Freestyle
  By Yesenia - January 5 - 9:33 am

  I enjoy this vehicle, however, I dare not to drive it with the rear windows down alone. You might find your ears hurt A LOT!

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  My GT - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By semaj281 - January 4 - 8:20 pm

  If youre looking for a cheap, reliable, fun-to-drive performance car thats not too hard on gas, then this is your car. This car looks good from the inside and out and the exhaust note I hear everytime I start it is like therapy. Everything is set up perfectly for the young enthusiast.

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  2000 SE Windstar - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By jjrwang - January 4 - 3:22 am

  Good basic people & everyday cargo hauler. Do not log too much miles annually, thus havent experienced all the problems that other owners have posted on discussion. But very leery about long term ownership. Will send it to truck heaven in the sky at the first sign of major problem. Have a series of little electrical and recall items since new. Currenty have check engine code P0171 & P0174 still to be resolved. Out of warranty, and very reluctant to send back to dealer. Knowledge and willingness to help you daunts me. Dealers themselves need to update themselves. The last time I need the Windstar to be reflashed, the had to "order" the flash cable!

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  Dont Laugh Its Paid For - 1991 Ford Taurus
  By singnchef - January 4 - 12:53 am

  We bought this car with 76,000 miles on it. I have had no trouble at all. She runs like a dream. We average about 27 mpg on the road. The only thing I have had to do is change the plugs and oil. It only uses 1/3rd quart oil per 1000 miles.

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  Love our little Red Escort - 1998 Ford Escort
  By rail81 - January 3 - 8:55 pm

  Bought this car used as a replacement for a Nissan Sentra. Other than being a little noisy, its been a great car. It now has 110K on the odometer and still going strong. Weve had to replace motor mounts and the drive axles in the past few months but at 100K those are wear items anyway. This car has been flawless otherwise. Car has never had to go in for service except for routine maintenance items. For those who are shopping, stay away from the dual cam engine unless you just gotta have the power. Routine maintenance for the twin cammer is far more expensive than the single cammer, or so Ive read.

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  My Green Babys The Best! - 1994 Ford Ranger
  By Allwomenneedpickups - January 3 - 7:04 pm

  If someone had told me Id be driving a pickup truck 10 years ago I would have thought they were crazy. This baby has moved my friends, transported refrigerators & freezers, helped me transport all that Home Depot stuff to renovate my house, picked up those finds along the curb on garbage day, and much more with just regular oil changes and tune-ups. Only problem has been a need for fuel pumps every 2 years! Everything else is regular maintenance. I hate to sell it, but now I need an extended cab.

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  Ford makes a good mustang? - 2017 Ford Mustang
  By Jeremiah Thompson - January 3 - 7:33 am

  Yes, They do! finally a mustang for modern America. With the new suspension in the rear this car drives! Instead of the old mustangs where going into a corner meant ending up at the coroners, this mustang lets you power through in control. Fun to drive with a stiff but yet forgiving ride. Cant wait to take this to the track, both the drag and the road track. This does not however mean its all roses for the new mustang. The interior leaves you wanting and thinking why? For example there are very few fake aluminum-plastic lookalike pieces, 5 switches 2 accents and the cowling around each primary air vents. With so few of these items why not use real aluminum? It would have increased the cost by 60 bucks so it leaves me saying why? Secondly the GT coyote engine suffers from a lack of tech. Ford makes the all amazing ford GT which has an engine that has the capability to turn off cylinders, and has the red light "stop start" function, these or at the very lest the "stop start" should be a must for this engine and would help massively with fuel eco. That being said the noise the cayote engine makes and the power it produces is something that must be experienced to believe!

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  Nice truck but - 2005 Ford Expedition
  By Arthur Daly - January 2 - 3:43 pm

  We owned a 1997 model which I liked better overall. Some good improvements are, the power third row seat which is a great improvement. The rear door is lighter and the power lock on the rear window is handy. The middle storage between the front seats is huge compared to my 97 model. I had a problem with poor quality leather front seats which the dealer replaced. The air conditioner freezes up on the highway and stops blowing cold air. A little slow on the start for such a big engine but move along nice once you get going.

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  Live in my car - 2004 Ford Escape
  By VISTING NURSE - January 2 - 2:37 pm

  The pick-up is great in a go situation- It handles great, is perfect for my type of job--IÂ’m in it 5 days a week, in and out-stop and go-I practically live in my Escape 45 hrs a week.

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  Bad Engine - 2002 Ford Escape
  By Ed Monk - January 2 - 11:28 am

  I was a fan of this vehicle until the engine self-destructed at 47,000 miles, by throwing a rod and tearing apart the engine. And this after buying it new and changing the oil every 3,000 miles, like clockwork. When I pay over $20k for a new car, I expect over 50,000 miles and 3 years out of the car.