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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  96 Windstar - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By Familyman - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Bought the Windstar new and found the minivan to be a real workhorse. The 3.8 eng is strong and peppy and fun to drive. Plows right thru snow while other Front Wheel drive cars are stuck. Its been extremely reliable, have had only the computer and a timing drive (which caused the computer to fail) replaced. Its got 123,000 and still going strong.

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  96 Windstar - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By familyMan - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Bought the Windstar new and found the minivan to be a real workhorse. The 3.8 eng is strong and peppy and fun to drive. Plows right thru snow while other Front Wheel drive cars are stuck. Its been extremely reliable, have had only the computer and a timing drive (which caused the computer to fail) replaced. Its got 123,000 and still going strong.

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  F-150 FX4 - 2005 Ford F-150
  By JLA - October 3 - 9:16 am

  This is a do all type truck. It has the looks of a luxury SUV on the inside and the rugged go anywhere 4WD look on the outside. It serves as a pseudo "mom-mobile" but dad still looks cool towing a boat. And if you need to haul a load of anything it does the job as long as it is not too big.

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  Dont buy it - 2000 Ford Focus
  By Ryan - October 2 - 5:00 pm

  Lets see. At 15,000 miles i had to get new brakes and throttle body. At 45,000 miles I already replaced the oxygen sensor twice. I had to replace the shocks twice. The air conditioner broke, the heat sometimes worked, the wipers sometimes worked. At 73,000 I had to replace the transmission. At 74,000 my brakes failed. (They wouldnt work at all).

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  I love this car. - 1992 Ford Festiva
  By Scott in Alaska - October 2 - 2:00 am

  My first car I bought all by myself. It has been very reliable here in Alaska, I use studs in the winter and the car can go just about any where in the city. Hill, ice no real problems.... if the snow is more than a foot on the ground it does not do that good.... I use it in the summer most of the time, for when friends come up to visit.

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  Old Faithful - 1994 Ford Taurus
  By LoveMyTaurus - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I learned to drive on my parents 1995 Ford Taurus GL and I loved the thing. It would take the abuse and ask for more. I bought my own 1994 LX this past February and Im thrilled with it. I have a car with leather, sunroof, power everything, chrome wheels for a cheap price. I drive my taurus everyday and back and forth between NY and PA. Ive driven it to SC and back loaded with luggage and passengers in 100 degree weather, no troubles. The only thing repaired on this vehicle was a transmission sensor.

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  My 1993 Ford Ranger - 1993 Ford Ranger
  By Frank Valdez - October 1 - 2:00 am

  My 1993 Ford Ranger is red and has an extended cab. It has good tiers. Have recently put a new fan clutch as well as a new fan. Recently I installed a front grill. The paint is good. It also has a good V6 engine. The transmission needs work but it is usesable. It could go for another 10,000 miles if not more depending on the treatment.

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  95 Mustang GT...MODIFIED - 1995 Ford Mustang
  By Nihilation - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 95 GT Coupe with 107,000 miles on it for $4800. It was in dire need of a detail job which I did myself in a day. This is my third Mustang, I previously owned a 85 and a 91, both with the 5.0L v8. Im into performance and for the money a 302 based Mustang can not be beat. Aftermarket is huge, the car will EASILY go 300,000 miles with regular maintanence and a bit of care. Both of my other stangs had over 200,000 miles on the odometer when I sold them. I will never buy another american car other than a 87-95 Mustang!

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  FAULTY THROTTLE BODY - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By Christine - September 30 - 7:19 am

  I got my 2016 Ford Explorer in mid August of last year. Today (Saturday) as I was driving home from errands on a busy street, the Explorer started to shimmy, engine light came on and I was basically without power. I "limped" home, called a tow truck and had it brought in to the dealership. It has 8,200 miles on it and I havent had it for a year yet and the thing crapped out on me!! Thank God this didnt happen to me as I was driving on a busy Los Angeles Freeway like I do during the week!!! I could have been seriously injured or killed due to the vehicle dying on me and someone slamming in to me. The service guy at the dealership told me that hes had a boatload of 2016 Explorers come in with the same problem and that a recall should be coming soon. That tells me right there that Ford is liable. I mean really Ford, youve known about this throttle body problem for a while now. Someone is going to be killed or seriously hurt because of this defect. Is that what youre waiting for?!

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  good car - 2004 Ford F-150
  By dario - September 30 - 2:00 am

  is very good truck. Beatufull, powerfull and confortable