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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  Trouble Free - 2002 Ford Windstar
  By Kern - May 22 - 2:00 am

  We have had 46000 trouble free miles with our Windstar Limited. Wish the third seat folded flat and worry like others about whether the doors will stop before crushing a childs arm. Otherwise we find it comfortable, easy to drive and great for long trips. It is more comfortable but less powerful than my daughters Honda O. Will buy the Freestar this year.

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  1997 F150 4.2L Ext. Cab - 1997 Ford F-150
  By Cranky - May 21 - 2:00 am

  Lots of interior room, good instrument layout and enjoyable to drive. Mech. probs. incl. torque converter failed at 60k ($1200), head gasket leak at 93k ($2000) fast brake wear (changed to ceramic pads ($75 pair) reduced freq.of pad replacement), ball joints replaced ($400 cost), gas city ~11 mpg, highway ~16 mpg, oxygen sensor failure at 65K ($40). I have mixed feelings about the vehicle overall but still like the comfort of driving it. New body design on the 2004 is too boxy looking so I probably would not buy a newer model F150 anyway. Too bad, I liked the styling of the previous models.

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  Eddie - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By bbitter - May 21 - 2:00 am

  Nice car for the size.

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  GOOD CHEAP PERFORMANCE CAR - 1999 Ford Escort
  By jkk1 - May 20 - 2:00 am

  Great car. NO warranty or mechanical problems at all.

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  Three Years Later - 2001 Ford Windstar
  By GeorgeB - May 20 - 2:00 am

  Overall this Van performed pretty much as expected. There was a rating ding about the side pannel blocking sight which is my only safety complaint. For a van the vehicle did quite well. However, it took three years to fix the right rear sliding door. Even though the warranty was up the company honored the repair work (labor and parts) because they never were able to fix the thing until this month. (My lease is up next month) Traction control system went bad about thwo months ago and it took $600 dollars and a long time to fix.

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  The Lone Ranger - 2004 Ford Ranger
  By Den - May 20 - 2:00 am

  Nice truck. Convient, solid, good on gas and fun to drive.

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  this is my second ranger there great - 2004 Ford Ranger
  By james cramer - May 20 - 2:00 am

  great truck i use it for work

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  Wont Stop Running - 1993 Ford Tempo
  By MPJM - May 20 - 2:00 am

  I really like the car. It has a lot of get up and go still left in it. I really having V6 engine and I like having the 5-speed manual. The engine has never ever broken down on the first owners or on me. The only thing that is wrong with the car is that the right- rear doors lock will not come up and the window motor died. And I only have one power door lock left. The A/C is ice cold. Very good car to drive and reliable car.

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  My Mail Car Taurus Wagon - 1995 Ford Taurus
  By twodeuces - May 20 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 1995 Taurus GL wagon in late 2000. The car was a fleet car and had 80K miles on it. Looking at having a vehicle that can hold all my mail and packages, I took one look at the Taurus wagon and knew it would haul anything. This car has been through it all. The car now has 137K miles on it and is coming to its end. The 3.0 engine is still fairly strong, but the transmission is slipping and the front end (axle, bearings) is having alot of problems. But I paid $4,000 for it and put tons of mail route miles on it. If this car was never used on a mail route, I would suspect it lasting well into 200K miles.

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  Big Blue - 1999 Ford F-250
  By sdscott - May 20 - 2:00 am

  The F250 has performed as a child- hauler and car-hauler. It has gotten us through the snow in winter and the air conditioning blows cold in the summer. The 7.3L diesel has had few mechanical problems.