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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  Expedition convert. - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By Ivy Griffith - March 15 - 11:08 am

  As a family with four kids, expecting our fifth, we needed to upgrade from our cramped Toyota Sienna minivan, and I am SO GLAD we went with the expedition. Its roomy, comfortable, practical, and stylish. Our van felt like driving a boat it drifted in the road with typical minivan steering and got battered in the wind. Even though the Expedition is much bigger, the steering is WONDERFUL and we feel only the windiest days, barely. I feel safe driving my family around in this, and it handles like a dream in the rain. We bought it with 101k miles on it and will drive it until it dies. And then buy another! This family will never buy minivans again.

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  Love it! - 2013 Ford Escape
  By Carol Franks - March 14 - 1:46 pm

  I love my Escape! Its quick and fast. It doesnt get the fuel mileage they advertise though, nearly 25mpg on the highway, I travel 1100 miles, one way, twice a year. On level ground, I am getting 23.5 mpg, when Im at my home in the mountains, I get about 22. My only real disappointment is that I didnt get the Ford My Touch! The young salesman never mentioned it to me but it does add about $5000 to the total cost. Yes, its had several recalls but to me that means that Ford is on the ball and not ignoring my safety.

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  Great on gas, but improvements needed - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Adam Holly - March 14 - 10:09 am

  Decent power, but Ford needs to put a 6 speed manual in it! 3000 RPM cruising at 115 km/h is absolutely absurd. The MTX-75 needs to be retired. Fun facts about the S: No low washer fluid indicator, and you cannot turn the traction control off on the S, short of pulling the fuses for it under the hood. Phenomenal on gas, however. Even with winter tires, its not great in the snow, partially due to the low ground clearance. Tuxedo black metallic paint is gorgeous when clean! The build quality is good, save for the stupid mud flaps Ive lost both front ones because the clips dont hold, and the rear ones are barely hanging on. Only been in the shop once for a wheel bearing when new (warranty)

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  dont trust ford - 2014 Ford Fiesta
  By Christine Marsden - March 13 - 9:03 am

  new fiesta 12.5 worst car ever owned and every part of ford customer relations ,service,finance,and every department in ford I have had the unpleasant pleasure of dealing with .After purchasing car from new to transport foster children and my own relatives children safely to school and there various activities safely.After 3weeks of owning the car it had a intermediate fault, loss of power stalling at junctions and de acceleration it as been returned nearly every month for 15 months and still not rectified .I have been accused of being a liar because a computer says there is no fault showing and I can not drive after 30 years. Child safety is paramount to me. Trust ford they dont care

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  AC STINKS AND FORD KNOWS IT!!!!! NICE BUT PLASTICY INTERIOR - 2009 Ford Edge
  By Dorothy Burns - March 12 - 6:59 pm

  Have had Our 09 EDGE SEL WITH VISTA ROOF for 2+ years and love most of it. This car has been great except for the air conditioning. If the temp outside is over 75 degrees...FORGET ABOUT IT! AC STINKS ARSE. Have had it recharged and tested.Have cleaned filter screen behind glove box.Weak as water!IthinkFORDshould be ashamed of themselves they know this AC system sucks and should be responsible and RECALL all EDGES 2007-2010. Have heard they know it is a manufacture defect that causes some of the refrigerant to bypass the condenser! Everyone I know who has an EDGE says the same thing...The AC STINKS!!!!!!!!!! IF you are looking to buy one test drive it on a very hot day with salesman.

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  Wind noise - 2015 Ford Escape
  By james chatterton - March 11 - 2:57 pm

  Purchased an Escape SE a few weeks ago and have had problem with wind noise. The dealer states the problem is with outside mirror and A Pillar which is a Ford design flaw and is not correctable.

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  Transmission is dangerous - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By Erin Grey - March 11 - 10:46 am

  The transmission just slipped out of the blue while I was on the highway! We had had some problems before - weird things like the battery died when it was just a couple years old (we didnt leave a light on or anything, it just died). Then the car would sometimes stall when coming to a stop. But nobody could tell us what was wrong, and they all thought I was crazy. This latest highway fiasco is the end for me though. So dangerous! Plus now the clutch is shot. Neither the dealership nor Ford will cover the clutch. This is crazy! This car is dangerous.

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  My Explorer after 30,000km - 2011 Ford Explorer
  By musicman12456 - March 10 - 2:32 pm

  Ive now had my Ex for 7 months and put 30,000km on the car so I figured it was time for a proper review after driving it for more than a few weeks. 2011 Ex Limited AWD bought used with 69,000km on it. Both key fobs stopped working when more than a foot away from the car. Ford is unable to fix the issue. Shaking from front end when accelerating from a stop. Ford cant find the issue. Rust on the inside door panels (car is always spotless). Knocking from suspension when going over speed bumps. Ford cant find the issue. Stereo gets very muddy at higher than normal volume. Hazard light button started ejecting the CD $1300 to replace the complete head unit.

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  Ford appears to have a winner - 2014 Ford F-150
  By ohioengineer - March 10 - 11:27 am

  This is my third F-150 in seven years, as I lease. I use my truck as a combination farm vehicle and general transportation everything from towing a livestock trailer to picking up groceries to hauling my grandsons. I was pleased with my previous two F-150s and so far this one seems even better. It looks sharp (plenty of compliments), has plenty of power (2.7L turbo), rides like a car and handles very well. I am particularly impressed with the engine (see below)and the interior finish. So far the gas mileage has been disappointing - especially after all the hype - but I am hopeful it will get better over time. Overall a very good truck and one I would highly recommend.

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  5 Speed Manual is a champ!! - 2013 Ford Focus
  By John Walton - March 6 - 11:07 am

  Hearing a lot of bad reviews about the automatic not being a good choice. Duh, its a 4 cylinder! What were you expecting the automatic version to be like? When has a four cylinder with an automatic ever been a good, reliable, engaging choice? [non-permissible content removed]. I leased this car with 90 miles, it now has 21,000 trouble free miles on it and Im seriously considering buying out when the lease is up. The My Touch sucks and has been the only glaring deficiency. When an aftermarket system is available best believe the annoying Ford voice is gone. Drove this 1,600 miles across the country with out a hiccup. It was a very comfortable ride too.