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:
Showing 731 through 740 of 30,482.00-
Look elsewhere - 2004 Ford Explorer
By spence - March 26 - 9:46 pmClunks going into reverse, rear bangs when making sharp corners, front end shakes even with brand new premium tires, rotors warped making brakes pulsate, front end squeaks when going over bumps, rear gate low quality....rattles continually, engine feels disconnected from gas pedal, sliding moonroof cover falls off track, CDs get jammed in player every time, factory speakers are junk. I had a 96 Explorer for ten years. It was the best vehicle I ever owned. So I figured Id get another after the other was trouble- free for all those years. What a mistake. Stay clear of these vehicles.
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World Ford Lemon - 2004 Ford Focus
By Fjorda DCheape - March 23 - 2:00 amAfter purchase, I feel abandoned by World Ford. [Although, I did get solicitations for auto insurance] Engine idles roughly -- enough to shake the vehicle. Cuts completely out when coasting with the clutch in. Frankly, I do not trust WF enough to take it back. I can see the $$$ now -- as I opted out of the maintenance trap - - a mistake, I suppose.
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Should have bought a VW Beetle (LOL)! - 2004 Ford Focus
By TheOakdalen - March 23 - 2:00 amWhat is everyone raving about? I dislike everything about it. The only thing good about it was that it was cheap.
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Couldnt Buy a WORSE Car!!!! - 1995 Ford Contour
By wvbabygirlsam - March 21 - 8:48 amI bought my car used first mistake there, it had 60,000 miles on it once it hit 65,000 or 70,000 miles everything started going wrong! My engine needed new parts, my gas gauge doesnt work, my fuel pump went bad, and the headlights fog up really bad. My car also has idling problem, its an automatic and it stalls out at stop lights, stop signs, or even when you hit the brakes a little hard! I will never own another older Ford ever! I paid 3,000 for it, and paid 8 months of repair bills = 6,000 dollars worth. Now Im looking at a trade in value of no more than 1,200 dollars! So if youre thinking about getting this car dont! For your wallets safety.
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mechanical junk - 2003 Ford Explorer
By edsel - March 19 - 8:05 amwe bought this vehicle with 29000 miles, at 42000 the differential started howling, after many phone calls to ford and and a refusal to allow them to charge me $1700.00 to repair this they conceded to repair the differential if i would pay for a wheel bearing that they claimed was bad but that the noise from the differential prevented me from hearing. now at 58000 miles the parking brakes have and i quote "have disentigrated" ford claims this is normal and happens every 2-3 years on this vehicle regardless of mileage but it isnt a quality issue so for $450.00 they repairing it with the same ford quality parts that failed in the first place. cant wait to get it back so i can trade it in.
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piece o junk - 1996 Ford Contour
By Gene P. - March 18 - 8:23 amNo wonder Ford is on the verge of bankruptcy. I have never owned a car so unreliable as this in my life. My daughter got rid of it for a Corolla as she was always having it repaired. Wheel bearings every 50k miles? I only bought it as the body had no rust and have regrets. Transmission torque converter, rear struts, a/c compressor, yellowed headlight lenses, wheel bearings, etc. Back to Honda / Toyota for me.
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Ford Folly - 1997 Ford Contour
By PimpinGT - March 15 - 11:15 pmThis car seems to go through front tires at an unbelievable rate. The damn cup holders are junk, one broke and the other one is extremely hard to get up (cheap plastic interior). The next problem was that its battery light would come on whenever I accelerated. Then it died altogether. Finally, every time that I would stop at a stop sign or stoplight, the car sounded like it was going to stall. I wouldnt recommend a ford to anyone for any reason except to put it in a demo derby (hell, it may come out running better).
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Wanna Trade? - 2004 Ford Taurus
By Wanna trade? - March 13 - 5:34 pmI have had this vehicle for a little over a year now - my Gma bought it new and passed away, so I got it - and I have had to put tons of $ into it. I expected some, but not nearly the expense Ive had. I get ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE gas mileage. 13/14 mpg at most... 15 if I want to spend the $50+ for 93 octane gas, but its obviously not worth it.
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All around bad S.U.V. - 2006 Ford Explorer
By Jake - March 10 - 4:23 amI use this SUV at work and it just plain sucks. My car has more horsepower and it has been in the shop 3 times in little over a year. 1st issue was the tire sensor error would not clear. Next was the rear windshield wiper had a mind of its own. Then the CV joints went out ohh and even after 3 separate attempts by Ford the tire pressure error still wont go away.
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Ford needs to Wake up! - 2006 Ford Explorer
By DickandJane - March 7 - 9:37 pmThis is the worst Ford I have ever owned. 27000 miles and numerous problems. The radiator is leaking and they will now have to replace it. The chrome grill is bubbling, and Ford dealer says its not covered on warranty. (HMMM! Defective part not covered) There was an obnoxious vibration (Rattle) in the steering wheel. The dealer said there was an advisory out on that. They must replace the lower steering rod. The other things I dislike: The gas mileage sucks. I should have kept my 2005 v8 4wd F150. My F150 got about the same MPG and had way more power than this hunk of crap. There is no heated mirrors! Every car has them now. No XM radio. Get with the times already. All in all dont buy a Ford
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