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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  my Taurus - 1991 Ford Taurus
  By ann - July 19 - 2:00 am

  this car has been a gift from my sister.the car has been repaired alot of times since ive had it. The motor and trans. are great, the susp. parts wear out alot,power stearing,and electical.It has been very reliable other than this.All this I think a lot is the fact that its an older veh.

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  The sports car thats built like a truck - 1997 Ford Mustang
  By DaveSolt - July 18 - 2:00 am

  180,000 miles and never had it worked on! Its the car thats built like a truck! We do have an AC problem that developed around 2001, but other than that it has been rock solid with no maintenance other than oil changes and air filter.

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  Good car - 2002 Ford Mustang
  By pat01demcrt - July 18 - 2:00 am

  No real problems so far.

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  love/hate relationship - 2003 Ford Escort
  By bebop - July 18 - 2:00 am

  This cars my first car ever, used but was in good condition. Driving it was fun. However theres a flaw to my right front wheel that drives me insane. This loud *SQUEEK-SQUEEK- EEEEEE* sound that comes from it everytime I step on the break.This noise makes people around me turn their heads. Im stuck with this horrible noise prolly till I get rid of my ZX2, and thats all thanks to wonderful mechanics everywhere, including Ford dealership mechanics who wont fix it because they dont know what it is/or they say its nothing. Trust me you can hear me coming from miles away, its that bad. Other than that the cars alright.

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  nice commuter - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By Mark - July 17 - 2:36 am

  I needed a comfy commuter with auto transmission, decent mileage, fairly quiet ride that was around $26k. This Limited does what I need without the big price tag. The looks are fine (silver with black interior) and visibility from cabin is excellent. At 500 miles on engine, I get around 30 mpg cruising 55-70. Heavy pedal lowers mpg to low 20s. Engine is smooth and quiet and six speed auto works well. Highway passing is adequate but I usually drive alone. This cars handling feels like a smaller car with a good turning radius.

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  2 New Thunderbirds bad paint finish - 2003 Ford Thunderbird
  By W. P. Stephenson - July 17 - 2:00 am

  We have purchased 2 new T=Birds both 2002s They are the Blue and yellow colors that were both discountinued after the 2002 build year. The yellow car has the worst paint job I have ever seen on a new car. Im talking about in the small places like where the gas tank nozzel is, mostly over spray with very little paint, paint on the rubber parts under the hood where you would not expect paint for a car that cost this much. The Blue car has more mechanical problems, window track breaking, top making a thud when retracking. little felt things coming out of sun visors, bottoming out-struts were replaced, still bottoms out

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  BIG RIG - 2003 Ford Excursion
  By SLINGBLADE - July 17 - 2:00 am

  IT HAD A STICKER OF 53500 BUT I BOUGHT IT FOR 44000 GOT THE 6.0 LOTS OF POWER THE 560LBS OF TORQUE CAN BE A LITTLE SCARY GET ABOUT 14 AROUND TOWN AND 22 ON THE ROAD AT 70 WITH NO TRAILER BOUGHT IT TO TOW MY 11000LB TRAILER I HOPE MY MILAGE WILL BE AROUND 15 HAD A 3500 GMC AND WAS GETTING ABOUT 7 WITH A GAS ENGINE MY OTHER CARS ARE GERMAN AND THE FORD HAS REAL INTERIOR QUALITY ISSUES COMPARED TO THE AUDI ITS A JOKE BUT I BOUGHT IT TO HAUL SO WE WILL SEE. AFTER 4 WEEKS I HAVE A CD PROBLEM AND A COUPLE OF SQUEEKS BUT THE THING MOVES FOR A 4 TON TRUCK MY FIRST SERVICE IS COMING UP JUST CAUSE I WANT TO CHANGE MY FIRST OIL AT 2000 MILES

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  do it again - 1999 Ford Expedition
  By offrdal - July 17 - 2:00 am

  this has been a joy to own. does everything thats been asked. towing, haulin, & good off road capability.

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  I miss my contour - 1996 Ford Contour
  By ButterCup41 - July 17 - 2:00 am

  This is a fun car to drive. I have not really had any major problems with it, just a few recalls that had to be taken care of (headlight connector and heating switch or something like that.) I have the 4 cyl engine and it still has kick after 7 years, just make sure you keep up the maintanance. It is in the shop now getting the timing belt replaced, cant wait to get it back :-)

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  Good for the long haul - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By happy driver - July 16 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle since May of 1996. It was the first vehicle I found that could pack all my kids stuff for college and still ride well enough that my wife did not get carsick during the 4 hour drive to college. During all the time we have owned it, it has always been available for duty and has only needed the routine maintenance. I did finally this spring put new brakes on the vehicle. I look forward to buying a Ford again.