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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  Wish we could love the Freestyle! - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By Gin4 - July 7 - 7:10 am

  We love the look of the Freestyle and are quite pleased with the handling in snow and rain. However, our Freestyle will go in the shop for the second time this year. First time we took it in for repairs the transmission went out at 5000 miles. We were assured that the flaw was corrected when a faulty valve was replaced. We drove it another 20,000 miles and now IF it starts it wont stay running. This problem began about 200 miles ago and is only intermittent which makes it difficult to diagnose. I am hoping against hope that the problem is related to the fuel filter or injectors. I really want to love this vehicle but it has to be more reliable. We are in the market for an extended warranty!

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  misbuilt truck, shipped back to factory - 2002 Ford F-150
  By vince - July 7 - 7:00 am

  My ford dealership rejected the truck from the factory. Misbuilt. Factory workers must have fallen asleep on the job the day my truck was made. A running board was missing, sunroof was misaligned, not to mention a couple other cockeyed trim pieces. Dealer said problem with the sunroof was the roof not the mechanism. The roof wasnt square! So the truck is being returned to the factory in Kansas City. Give the factory workers some coffee!

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  Reliability - 1998 Ford F-150
  By K. Medlin - July 7 - 2:00 am

  119000 miles with no problems except for alternator replaced at 60,000. Goodyear AT tires were original equipment. I got 64K on first set of tires and still riding on 2nd set.

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  Like it but dont love it! - 2002 Ford Mustang
  By RotoMustang - July 7 - 2:00 am

  This car needs more power! I feel like I have to work way too hard to blow some very ordinary cars away! It took me until 3rd gear to finally pull away from a Toyota Avalon the other day...Thats Embarrassing! It also needs more room. Im 63" and the seat needs to go back another 2" and down another 1". Ford definitely has the best looking muscle car on the market, but it needs more power, err muscle!

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  Built Ford Tough - 1992 Ford Ranger
  By milbyz - July 7 - 2:00 am

  This little truck has been one tough cookie. I have abused this vehicle in everyway possible yet it continues to run like a new one. A/C still works like new. Gas mileage poor. Body looking a little rough. All in all I love this truck and it will be hard to part with it when it finally goes to the ford graveyard.

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  Great in its day - 1990 Ford Taurus
  By Adam0331 - July 7 - 2:00 am

  Back in 1990 the Taurus was perhaps the best in the "family car" class. I ran the car over 200,000 miles with surprisingly few problems. Nothing flashy but it was a runner. Only recurring problem was a TFI module Ford would not recall. Skipped to Honda Accord in 1998. Sorry Ford, while you were ahead in 1990, by 98 you were not.

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  O.K. JOSE - 1999 Ford Taurus
  By BIG T. - July 6 - 2:00 am

  BOUGHT NEW IN 99.GOOD PERFORMANCE 24V. V6-THE ONLY WAS WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON AUTOMATICLY PERIODICALLY. COVERER UNDER 3YR 36000MI WARR.A GOOD BUY SO FAR,BUT THEN ONLY 29000 PUT ON CAR SINCE NEW. STILL A BABY.

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  2003 Edge - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By 151 - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Great truck so far, but I have had it less than a week. Unknown gas millage, but it appears to be in the low 20s. Great power for a little 3.0, 5speed. The ride is great, and the looks sold me. Not a bad bargain considering the sticker was $17,700 and I paid $10,700 out the door with tax and title. Try to beat that deal when looking at the competition.

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  my ford truck - 1997 Ford F-150
  By raisen - July 6 - 2:00 am

  simple good truck for price.reliable.

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  Hybrid Honey - 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By Mike Hammer - July 5 - 6:51 am

  A roomy and stylish car; comfortable to ride in and drive. Quiet, with great gas mileage. Not flashy, but a family car you can take to a ritzy restaurant or on a long road trip. A really sweet value for the money. Kudos to Ford Motor Co.