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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  2013 Ford Focus - 2012 Ford Focus
  By trevc - July 13 - 8:26 pm

  Looks great ...very solid feel. Super seats, not sure I liked the BLACK plastic all over everything.....need possible tan options. It was just the right size. The handling is 1st class. The power was a little lacking....I am used to an accord v6 manual. I look forward to driving a high performance model. The car can certainly handle the extra power. Economy.......the read out said 30 mpg ...hopefully that will improve. Ford is onto a GREAT thing here. There was NO manual to be had anywhere to drive...It is only a 5 speed anyway ....only the auto is 6 speed.......WHAT WERE YOU THINKING FORD ???

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  Doesnt get more reliable than this car! - 1998 Ford Contour
  By Ken - July 13 - 7:02 pm

  Bought my SE in 1998 with 15K. Has not let me down once since I bought it. With only regular maintaince it has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. 27MPG in town, and a best of 34MPG on the highway cant be beat. Currently has 112,000 miles and still starts and drives like it did when I bought it. Ride is probably a little stiff to most people, but very well controlled and makes me want to take the curves and turns faster than I really need to. Excellent cornering manners. Very comfortable in town and downright perfect for road trips. Mine has the 2.0 Zetec engine and it delivers more than enough power for commuting, but could use a little more for driving in the mountains.

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  Very Impressed, Stout well built vehicle - 2008 Ford Fusion
  By Ryan R. Z - July 13 - 6:20 pm

  First of all im a former Japanese car buyer. Owned many camrys and accords.. My Fusion has 46,500 miles and it has been very solid. I am in town alot along with some highway.. I can get about 19- 22 depending on how i drive it in town and on the highway close to 29. These numbers are with the ac blowing hard. I accelerate very aggressively also. My accord had tranny issues back in 02, my camry was falling apart with 95k in 05 so hopefully this will be a good ownership experience.

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  Love my Focus! - 2008 Ford Focus
  By Blynn - July 13 - 6:00 pm

  I have grown up on Fords. My first car was a Chevy-had it for 9 months and switched to my Focus no questions asked. This car feels solid. I can take corners like there is nothing to it. Drives easily. Comfortable on the inside, beautiful outside. This is a car I will drive until the day it dies...then Ill go get a new one. I love this car. I have never felt safer while driving. Never been more comfortable about driving it hard. If you dont have one of these-get one!

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  Good Buy, Good SUV - 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By geobf - July 13 - 4:33 pm

  4,000 miles in less than three months, very happy with it. Wanted a replacement for my Explorer with better fuel economy/greener. Made the move just before gas prices went nuts, found that some Houston dealers had them on the lots. Bought one with leather seats; my wife liked the ride despite the leather. Very happy with performance, just short of 30 MPG despite mostly highway miles. The A/C not running under battery is a pain, but the gas engine only stays off for more than a couple miles if you are in very slow traffic. Challenging to get above 20 MPH on the electric motor, requires a subtle touch on the pedal. Safety package/side airbags a pleasant surprise.

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  Great Car - 2006 Ford Freestyle
  By Freestyle Owner - July 13 - 3:00 pm

  Very smooth quiet ride with a lot room for six people. Gas mile is good for big car. Transmission is excellent. Has a very stable feel on the road.

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  Some problems with age - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By Dan Meyers - July 13 - 2:10 pm

  The car is not that bad. I purchased it new. Occassionally the Check engine light flares , due to ethanol fuel. Ethanol is corn,which attracts water. Disconnect the battery, remove the fuel filter, blow out the gas and water,add a bottle of Rubbing alcohol to only 5 gals of gas, reconnect the battery after 5 minutes to reset the ECM.and its good for the next few weeks. If I can retrofit a glass bowl purge type system ,that might eliminate the water. Also, I just replaced that dual speed fan control switch for $38..and saved plenty. Ford said itll cost about $800 . That little fan switch controls the A/C vacum doors, power brake boosters, speed control and other do dads. Running good now.

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  2004 Ford Freestar is unreliable - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By Lisa - July 13 - 1:55 pm

  I bought my Freestar new in 2004 and it has been a good car until the this year. I have 85000 miles on my Freestar and the transmission left me stranded on the side of the interstate with no warning at all. $3000 later I am back running. If you look at the Freestar forum on the Edmunds.com website you will see many others like me who have had transmission problems with all year models of the Freestar beginning at 42000 miles. I was lucky to get 85000 out of mine before it quit.

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  you get what you pay for - 2006 Ford Focus
  By Yoon - July 13 - 1:29 pm

  i bought this car after researching for several months. Car and Driver ranked the 1st generation focus as a "ten best car" and consumer reports gave the focus high marks. after 58,000, the AC went out due to a bad compressor. that was a $1300 bill. up until then, i had no problems except normal wear and tear (im still on original brake pads and rotors). the car is not as refined as a civic, corolla, or mazda3. its more fun to drive than a corolla, but a corolla has better fit and finish. overall, this car is fun, but rough around the edges. wish gas mileage was better. i get 25 mpg with lead foot.

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  Good for 6 years only - 1998 Ford Escort
  By DarthSodomus - July 13 - 12:11 pm

  I purchased this as my first car way back on Halloween 1998. This car was very good to me for the first 6.5 years. I did all the required maintainance. Then the transmission went after 110K miles - expensive repair. After repairing that, the engine went 2 years later - expensive repair. I have had to replace the alternator twice as well replace the water pump and some drive pulleys all expensive repairs. Finally, just now, the AC compressor went and had to install an aftermarket AC delete pulley. Ive gotten 11 years so far out of it but the repairs have been expensive over the last 4 years ~$8000. But (unfortunately) still cheaper than new car payments so I could not justify a new car