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:

• 

  Excellent - 2009 Ford Escape
  By pete162 - April 8 - 8:49 pm

  Had since new, very reliable , cheap to maintain, fuel sipper with plenty of power with the I4 2.5 liter engine. Always hand washed and waxed,it looks almost as good as the day we drove it off the lot.

• 

  Great Car - 2013 Ford Fusion
  By allanj60 - April 8 - 2:40 pm

  We bought our 1.6 Fusion exactly 2 years ago and have only 6,000 miles on it. We are in our mid-seventies and do mostly local driving and very little highway diving. We get just over 18 mpg. The car is very comfortable and quiet with great handing.

• 

  MANUAL ROCKS - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By festiod - April 8 - 1:08 pm

  research told me the automatics had some issues so I chose stick not living in city automatic is crucial and kinda like shifting...to quote another review it is go-cart fun turn and handles you cant take 40 mph at 60 no problem no "drifting" just driving...fastest speed 106 I drove, oops it was accidently no where near red line....it not powerful just geared well ...off the line it is competent but after shifting into fifth if you arent careful it keeps creeping up. if large adult male there is little room in back seats knew that going in .

• 

  Dont EVER buy a Ford vehicle - 2012 Ford Focus
  By noo2 - April 7 - 5:56 pm

  This is by far the worst ford Ive owned. Im not a new customer to Ford and I will NEVER buy another Ford again. The focus sounds like its about to break down constantly. I would rather drive a used beat up 1996 POS than this BRAND NEW focus. Ive brought it in for multiple issues, not just the transmission, and Im so tired of dealing with them and the same response. Ford may be saving money by not fixing any of their mistakes, but they sure as hell are losing a lot of customers and future clients for it. Word of mouth spreads faster and more efficiently than any deal they can create to help fix this.

• 

  The Best compact car in reasonable price - 2014 Ford Focus
  By ssoeun - April 7 - 1:02 pm

  My first time to own Ford, most Asian people scared American cars for less reliability but not like the 1990s, now American cars even better than the Japanese cars in both quality and comfort. The Focus beats the famous nameplates of Civic and Corola in both power and comfort and much cheaper price. I love my Focus my wife and my son also love to drive it than my Altima. Small but when I drive, I feel like big car-- quiet, smooth, and quick to turn the corner or on the free way and great fuel economy. And I paid the lowest price for the year end 2014 clearance. I will buy the other one for my son when he go to college next year.

• 

  Pony up for fun - 2013 Ford Mustang
  By Chris Walls - April 6 - 4:54 pm

  As a past Trans AM owner I decided to come over to the Ford Mustang. The car is a kick to drive, quick and responsive thanks to the stability computers. The seats are comfortable even on long drives. The ride is a little bouncier than I would like due to the stiff suspension but it is certainly not rough. I like to play with this Pony a lot, love the feel of that 302 getting it done. The MPG avg. stays right around 22, so you have a range of about 340 miles.

• 

  Over 102,000 miles and still doing well! - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By mhs48128 - April 5 - 11:41 am

  Never towed a thing with it and thats probably why I have no trany or radiator issues. Also, garaged in winter. Yeah, a minor radiator leak and Im watching it! Always had a slightly rough truck "ride". Comfortable front buckets. 2nd seat o.k. but 3rd seat is a "pop-up" rumble seat! Only two complaints: A "glass chin" front grille with no real bumper--not front "crashworthy". Stupid orange dashboard idiot messages. Currently lit: tire pressure sensor and gas cap leak & engine light (for same reason), and no way to turn them off permanently. (Must use reset button.) Both useless "errors" and not major. Otherwise, quite reliable. AC still works. Over 102,000 is a good life span, so far!

• 

  Love Our Ford Flex - 2015 Ford Flex
  By Marian Pozgay - April 2 - 5:01 pm

  Roomy, comfortable, quiet...no road noise while driving in comparison to other cars we have owned. Easy to drive and love the ease of getting in and out of it and the styling. Stands out from any other car on the road and get a lot of compliments on it! Exceptional family car!

• 

  I will NEVER buy another Ford - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Karen Ross - April 1 - 10:07 am

  In 2011 I bought a Ford Fiesta - within a few weeks after it started jerking and shuddering on acceleration. Long story short - after 3 repairs I was going to have it declared a lemon. The dealership wanted to put me in a Ford Focus and give me a good "deal" after all my headaches. I bought the 2012 Focus and started having the same issues - shaking, jerking and shuddering. The transmission control was replaced last year and now having the same issues. Took the car in and they said they need to replace the transmission control unit again but it will be 12-16 weeks before the part comes in because there is a huge waiting list - duh. Fix it right the first time. I am done with Ford.

• 

  Should I buy a Ford again - 2015 Ford Flex
  By Scott Mueller - March 31 - 10:46 am

  Last year a trim piece flew off of my Ford Flex. Let me say that again. A trim piece flew off of my Ford Flex.(its a little plastic piece that goes from the body to the roof of the car by the window) I went to 32 Ford and they said it was the manufactures fault so they would fix it for free. Then 5 days ago the same piece from the other side flew off. (WOW really pieces of cars just come flying off?) Since 32 ford closed down I went to Beechmont Ford and they charged me $269.29 to get it fixed. Im confused. Should I ever buy another Ford, Should I ever go back to that dealership, or should I just go back to Toyota where car parts never flew off of my car before?