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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  Best built SUV in America. - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By speedygk - January 24 - 10:58 am

  Other than the fuel mileage, it is by far the best truck/SUV out on the market.

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  Dream come true - 2005 Ford Mustang
  By awmustang - January 24 - 8:50 am

  I have been wanting a Mustang for as long as I can remember. Now I finally have one and its so much more than I imagined.

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  Disapointed with Ford transmission again - 2010 Ford Fusion
  By Nick - January 24 - 8:13 am

  The ride is firm but comfortable,steering is taut without being overly so, vehicle corners well and the interior is a class act, but unfortunately all this is marred by a transmisson that takes all the joy out of the driving experience. I purchased a demo w/16000 miles on odo. Clearly I didnt take the vehicle for a long enough test drive. When going down hill or coasting to a stop when speed drops to about 40 the transmission down shifts & slows the vehicle so quickly you end up having to give it more gas. This vehicle is supposed to have a CVT transmission which is supposed to shift smoothly. Well apparently no one at Ford got that memo. This is my third and last Ford.

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  I Love This Car! - 2008 Ford Focus
  By Marla - January 23 - 4:30 pm

  I love this car. The concern I had about power vanished on the drive home when it easily went up the long steep hills coming into town. Merging into high-speed interstate traffic is a breeze. Its full of pep and handles great. Fun to drive. It shifts quietly. The seats sit high, unlike my previous car where I felt as if I were sitting in a hole. After only 600 miles, Im getting about 29 MPG, and it continues to rise. The interior lights at night are well designed and very attractive. I love the functions on the odometer, such as estimated miles to empty & estimated MPG. The car is very pretty, from the pin stripes on the side to the chrome inserts on front panel. Its a great little car!

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  Quality & Value - 2007 Ford Fusion
  By bpayton63 - January 23 - 3:53 pm

  I have been very disappointed with the quality if this car. I have had to replace a front wheel barring not 2 months after purchase and have had transmission problems this car does not have the power you cant pass unless your going down hill or have plenty of room it does not feel safe on the interstate. The battery terminal went bad and that had to be replaced too. The interior is cheap and the seats are already separating (I weigh only 125 lbs) and the trunk doesnt say open. As far as design and comfort I love it that is why I purchased this model. Unfortunately youd better love it because there is no trade in value my $16,000 car is only worth $7,600 depreciated 1/2 in 8 months.

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  Transmission will kill you - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Tony - January 23 - 2:12 pm

  The redesigned transmission for this model is completely flawed. Been stuck on the freeway and unable to even shift my car into neutral to move it two separate times. The Ford delearships have refused or been unable to permanently fix it. The resale value of the car is now garbage and i will have to eat the cost for trade-in. My car was bought certified pre-owned with 6k miles on it and had transmission problems from the beginning. Ford has lied to its consumers about this car and its going to get people killed. Dont buy and stop considering this car..

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  Waste of money - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By afk - January 23 - 12:53 pm

  I think this vehicle sums up why Amrican auto industry is going down. I have 2008 BMW 335i convertible. I bought this Explorer for cold/snowy winter days. What a mistake! Interior is nothing but dollar store hard plastic which starts peeling after a while. Handling is a nigthmare. Original tires are a joke. This type of handling from $38000 vehicle is unacceptable. After I replaced the tires with Michelins and added 1 inch wheel spacers to front and rear, handling got little better. But nothing drives me more crazy than the wind noise at highway speeds. Once you are over 70mph, it is impossible to have normal conversation. New tires eliminated the road noise but wind noise is redicilious

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  Car with most mileage Ive ever owed! - 2000 Ford Taurus
  By Gloria - January 23 - 12:10 pm

  I drove this car for 1 year as a company car before purchasing it. In a not so stable economy in 2006 I purchased this car with 147,000 miles. I have been literally amazed by the durability and performance. Other than routine oil changes and preventive maintanance I have spent very little. I drive long distance miles with the company I work for and I get 29 miles per gallon. Thats better mileage than most new cars. I had always driven small cars before this purchase and always new. So this car has simply changed my mind about trends. It now has 201,000 miles on it and 9 years old. And so far, so good.

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  Bad/Scary - 2000 Ford Focus
  By Iseolde - January 23 - 11:26 am

  The car was bought used and was only two years old at the time of purchase. After only 5 months of owning the car I discovered a major problem with loss of vehicle power during turning at a normal speed, which later became a recall on this vehicle. (Almost had several collisions due to this problem) The first time I called the Ford Co. about the problem they said their had been no similar reports. Also I had taken the car to the dealership 3 times for repair of this problem, which was finally solved when Ford sent me a recall notice. This was the first of several other recalls I had to have fixed. Every year something major has gone wrong, costing usually around 1K. Please spare yourself!

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  Great Vehicle - 2008 Ford Expedition
  By Tim - January 23 - 11:23 am

  Just puchased an 08 Exp Eddie Bauer 2wd. Looks great, drives great, and good fuel mileage for the size. Only issue is the DRL, there is no option to turn them off. Other than that, no complaints.