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:

• 

  My Prim is growing up! - 1997 Ford Aspire
  By kkandprim - July 10 - 5:42 pm

  I received my 97 Aspire about six months ago as a gift from my fantastic grandparents, and immediately named her Primrose. Prim had 38,000 miles when I got her, and the previous owner kept detailed records of all maintanence. Shes been a fantastic little car with amazing gas milage and small, inexpensive repairs. I certainly plan to keep her for as long as shell hold up to my busy lifestyle!

• 

  Amazed - 2013 Ford Mustang
  By phreaks115 - July 8 - 7:47 pm

  I got my 2013 GT Premium Convertible and have been surprised at how much I really like it. I have never really been a fan of the newer (1980 forward) Mustang designs until I saw this one. The new front and rear design is great. The car turns and handles well, even with the solid rear axle but not as well as the Mazda MX-5 which I upgraded from. The 5.0 V-8 is powerful and responsive with the 6 speed manual and when you stomp on the pedal, it always brings a smile. The upgraded Brembo brakes help a bunch and although you can feel that the car is heavy, it still is a load of fun to drive. Plus the car turns a lot of heads

• 

  Loved this car until now - 2006 Ford Fusion
  By amumm1384 - July 5 - 10:45 am

  I do not even have 70k miles on my 2006 Fusion and my transmission went out as well. Drove fine unless you needed to get on the interstate or get into Overdrive gear - would then jolt, rpms up to 5 and 6 without accelerating one bit. Now Im having to pay over $2400 to replace it. With as many reviews as Ive read since this happened to me (more than I thought with this same issue!) this definitely needs to be a Recall from Ford or at least some kind of compensation when they are aware there is an issue with these models!! Before this happened I absolutely LOVED this car, now I am a little leary about the Fusion models in general.

• 

  Good,basic work truck! - 2011 Ford F-150
  By hurren - June 30 - 7:56 pm

  #1. Bought this truck for my property services business and never looked back.Great gas mileage,good size,always starts,air blows cold.I had to beef up the rear springs to carry the loads.

• 

  First day and issues - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By greenshield - June 28 - 11:27 pm

  We traded in our 09 Odyssey that was starting to have Tranny issues at 31,000 miles. Honda stone walled us so we went looking. Almost got the Highlander limited but tested the Explorer, liked it more, and got a good deal. About an hour after getting home I couldnt get the Navigation the Salesman said was on the vehicle to load up (like on a different explorer we test drove to get the feel, got a different color one). I called the dealer and they said I didnt have the voice touch screen Navi, just the Sync one. POd is all I have to say, Sync is horrible and my now "deal" looked normal to overpriced.There is also a high pitched chirp/whistle from the engine 3.5 V6 Returning it tomorrow!!!

• 

  Its an economy car - 2006 Ford Focus
  By pyzik - June 27 - 2:31 pm

  I bought this car back in 2009, it had 60k on it at the time. I jumped into this car from a 2002 Mercury Sable Premier that had an engine electrical problem I didnt want to pay to fix. Going from a Premier with all the bells and whistles to this is really what made this car seem less than it is. I am at 120k miles now with the only issue being shocks. All four are bad. Other than that brakes were the only other things that have needed changing. MPG for me has been 25 city and 34 highway. The car has road noise and isnt very comfortable but as I said its an economy car. Its a little slow but handles great.

• 

  Loved it - 2000 Ford Focus
  By travis25 - June 27 - 11:22 am

  I just want to start by saying i love my Ford Focus. Ive had the car for about a week, bought it used. I only have replaced very minor things such as the sway bar links, needs tires. But really the car is great, fun and easy to drive. I have heard all the "ohh its Ford" comments but really its a great little car, and great gas mileage!

• 

  Good ride, Bad seat design - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By ford_man2 - June 26 - 12:13 pm

  Great driving SUV. Handles nice. BUT be Aware that in the "base" model that the passenger seat height is very low and non adjustible. Too low for anyone under 5-6" to see out of easily. Also too low for anyone over 5-8" as your legs are way up at chest level due to the badly designed "low rider" seat. Not supposed to happen in a $30,000 vehicle. Dealer suggest we get a "booster seat", what kind of answer is that?

• 

  Good looking car, A/C and entertainment system not good - 2011 Ford Edge
  By togden - June 23 - 8:22 pm

  Great design, nice leather, great panaramic sunroof. Negatives: entertainment system lacking, radio volume either very low or too loud, no setting for in between. A/C lacking, either at full blast or too low, and blowing right on your or off. A/C resets to Low 60 degrees every time we start a new trip. What happened to resuming my desired settings?

• 

  This is a fun car! - 2009 Ford Focus
  By thebrickyard - June 22 - 8:43 am

  I recently purchased a 2009 Ford Focus SES. It has 28k miles and is decked out - Sun roof, Sync system w/ bass speaker in the trunk, etc. Most of all, this car is FUN to drive! My previous used car was a 06 Mazda 3 Sport (not the turbo charged Speed, but the one just below it). That car had everything, I loved that car, but I can honestly say that my focus, even though its an automatic (my 3 was a manual b/c I like that), is more fun to drive. The transmission is quick to react, the engine is more powerful (even though its a 2.0, and my 3 was a 2.3 liter), and it takes turns better. I wasnt in the market for a Focus, but I am SOLD!