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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  GT not as great as it should be!!! - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By Brandyswa - December 30 - 10:00 am

  The car is great but ford will not take care of the product when something does go wrong with the car. I have some molding issues as well as interior issues and they will not fix the problem because they say it is cosmetic problems. Be sure this is the car you really want because when something goes wrong it takes an act of congress to get it fixed.

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  Good Family Vehicle - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By lyons - December 30 - 6:06 am

  Weve had our Freestyle for about 6 months now and love it. It is exactly what we wanted and my wife loves to drive it. We have used it as a daily driver around town and on trips into the mountains, always with great enjoyment. The all wheel drive worked great during our last storm that went through. As for the engine, we knew when we bought it that it wasnt a sports car, but once you get used to the transmission its great.

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  5.0 BAD LUCK - 1990 Ford Mustang
  By HOLLYWOOD HOGAN FAN - December 30 - 2:00 am

  i like my car alot. This car has been the biggest pain. Transmission went out at 120,000.Water pump went out at 121,000. The alternator went out at 122,000. I still have this car. Im hoping that eventually everything will be alright.

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  Happy with this one - 1999 Ford Expedition
  By handball - December 30 - 2:00 am

  No real problems with this unit bot it new, drive it skiing over ice/snow and handles well good cruiser on freeway and about town.

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  I got my Ford - 1997 Ford F-150
  By Ben_H - December 30 - 2:00 am

  97 F150 Lariat...what a great truck. I needed to sell my 95 F150 and I knew what I wanted and I found it in this truck. Theres no way you would think this truck is 6 years old- it looks good and drives great. My mechanic gave it a clean bill of health when I bought it and it has yet to give me any major problems. Some brake work (replace rear axle seals) and routine maintenance, general TLC, is all I have done for it. Fuel mileage...well, youre driving a truck, not a Honda (a car I could roll over and not even know :-)

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  Ugly but works really well! - 1998 Ford F-150
  By Andy E. - December 29 - 2:00 am

  I hate the body style, but they dumped the beautiful truck style I liked in 1996. This has been an excellent vehicle. One time in the shop in 88,000 miles (because I forgot to tighten the gas cap and the check engine light came on). It goes up hills without downshifting and has really reasonable accelleration for a six cylinder.

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  luxury with practicality - 1992 Ford Mustang
  By tom walsh - December 29 - 2:00 am

  Very inexpensive to own, especially for a performance oriented car. Always starts in Wiconsin weather. Lots of favorable comments.

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  a good good car - 1995 Ford Taurus
  By Azaleosis13 - December 29 - 2:00 am

  I have driven this car(3.8 L) for 8 years. After the head gasket recall mess (took 3 tries)a fuel injector replacement (due to leaking head gasket) and new motor mounts, it has been a commuter (30 mi/day). Given the mechanical history, I was test-driving replacements for this car, but 500 miles of highway driving have changed my opinion. This cars back seat exceeds the comfort of anything I have test-driven so far. I will keep this car for at least two more years, and if theres a new transmission required during that time, so be it. My only regret is that I dont have the station wagon.

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  Ole Faithful - 1990 Ford Tempo
  By Prof6 - December 29 - 2:00 am

  I love this car!!! With just routine maintenance (although it does use more than average front suspension parts), this car is unbeatable. It is an absolute "bear" in the snow. It now has over 173,000 miles and is beginning to show some surface rust, so Im looking for a replacement vehicle. If it were economically feasible to replace the body and keep the car, Id do it!

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  2007 Sport Trac - 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Good truck; BUT - December 28 - 10:56 pm

  I owned a 2003 Sport Trac for 5 years, love the truck. Cant think of one bad thing. In 2007 when Ford came out with the V-8 engine, I though wow that will be great. So I purchase one with the V-8 engine, and I love everything about the V-8, love that power. But on my Sport Trac V-8 engine, if you let is sit for a day or two, when you start the engine, it will burn oil and blue smoke like a dog. Had it in the shop a few times, of course the computer has everything good. I believe it is valve guild seals, and of course Ford do not want to open the engine, as I dont want a new truck that someone had to do engine work on it.