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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  Buyers Beware - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By xford - December 7 - 2:00 am

  The "Ford Quality is Job One myth". Our special order 02 Explorer arrived (after 2.5 months)with a failed transmission, it would either slip, slam or not shift. Ford had put 32 miles on it but apparently decided "dont fix it until the customer complains". After 3 days it still isnt fixed and the dealer is still trying to close the deal. Nice try Ford, but NO-SALE. After also having to replace an F150 engine last year at under 4000 miles, this 35 year Ford buyer is now enjoying his first ever Japanese vehicle.

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  Best Full-Size SUV - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By bwyman - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I saw the new Expedition at the auto show and placed my order the next day. I was taken by the fold-flat third row seats and the sliding center seat in the second row. I love the interior styling (reminds me of an Audi). With all the chassis technology, Im expected a great driving experience.

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  Ford - Stick to Trucks - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By nofordvans4meagain - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I have owned 6 Fords now. Never again will I own a non-truck Ford. My Winstar SEL has had major steering and transmission problems. I had a manifold problem too. Also, the interior had several items fall off. Transmission is still horrible. The new 2002 are no better. We tried one. Stay away from these vans. You will be happy you did.

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  Excellent Car - 2002 Ford Taurus
  By Craig - December 7 - 1:36 am

  I puchased by Taurus new with 14 miles on it and I currently have just shy of 150,000 miles on the odometer. The only thing that has went bad was a door lock actuator that was replaced under warranty at about 60k miles (bought extended warranty). Take care of the filters and change the plugs/wires at 100k and these cars will last you a long time as they are very reliable.

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  Built tough - 2005 Ford F-150
  By cds924 - December 6 - 10:00 pm

  Only problem I had was a few weeks ago at 44000 miles my electronic throttle control went bad. Recall replaced bad fuel injectors, funny ever since they did that the truck flies, very noticeable power change. Other than that its great very smooth on road. On trip from Ohio to Texas received 25+ using cruise control on highway.

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  CVT Transmission Failure - 2006 Ford Freestyle
  By Michael From Pennsylvania - December 6 - 9:35 pm

  Purchased new as best mileage for size and style (no one makes a wagon anymore. Never lived up to specs, hiway mileage rarely beat minimums. Comfortable and good looking, drove nicely but under powered, just to darn heavy. Lost the CVT Transmission at 52000 miles with no warning. Now Im stuck. Sorry I bought it.

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  Loved my Windstar - 2001 Ford Windstar
  By Beth - December 6 - 12:09 pm

  We bought our Windstar new off the showroom floor. It did not have lots of bells & whistles but we bought it for the 5 star safety rating. We were just starting our family. It never left us stranded at the side of the road & it always started. We would have driven it til the wheels fell off but a deer had other ideas (it had 73,800 miles on it). I am very sad to see it go.

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  Could not ask for much more! - 2006 Ford Expedition
  By SVT-Rich - December 6 - 11:10 am

  We bought her last January to replace our AWD 1997 Mountaineer (now my winter driver, wife drives the Expy). The Expy is outstanding so so far. She has been super reliable so far, as all of the Fords I have ever owned have been. The 5.4 is really a smooth engine with more than enough power, and the trans is also smooth. We love all the bells & whistles. The power fold rear seats are one of the best options. The air ride suspension is very smooth on highway trips, and a little rough on the not so nice roads. Fuel economy is what it is (average 12mpg winter, and 14mpg summer, and bested 16 mpgs on a highway trip at about 70-75 mph) for a vehicle this size, and I new that going into it.

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  Awesome Truck - 2007 Ford F-150
  By Maurice - December 6 - 10:30 am

  I traded in my 06 Chevy Silverado that was tricked out for my Ford. I wanted the bigger engine because mine was a 4.6. My neighbor talked me into to it. The interior of the Ford is overall sexier than Chevy. The FX2 edition comes with the body kit. Although I would have liked the Titan, Ford gave me more bang for my buck. For the price I paid for my FX2, I would have only gotten a base model Titan. I lost a little bit of towing, but I will never tow that much so in reality I bought a truck that even my wife isnt afraid to drive. Now, I just have to ask her can I drive my truck sometime.

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  94 Mustang GT Conv. - 1994 Ford Mustang
  By 94 Mustang Gt Conv. - December 6 - 9:18 am

  Awesome car! Definitely the funnest car Ive ever owned. Itll put you sideways before you can blink. To some people that sounds horrible, but for those who like speed it sounds great. Ive found that parts are somewhat more expensive than they should be, I think its because alot of people own Mustangs so the prices are jacked up.