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:

• 

  Festivas Rule - 1991 Ford Festiva
  By stiva_gal - March 27 - 2:00 am

  I have put more than 65,000 miles on this car -- it now has more than 90,000 -- and I have experienced minimal repairs. Most were routine maintenance. The no-frills design means there are far fewer things to break down. The car is very reliable in this region where temps range from 100 degrees in summer to -40 in the winter. Mileage ranges from 30 MPG in stop-and-got city traffic to slightly more than 50 MPG on the highway. Seats 4 adults comfortably with space for packages in the hatch.

• 

  F150XL - 1999 Ford F-150
  By Skinem - March 27 - 2:00 am

  Good solid truck. Only 3 complaints with it thus far: VERY slow acceleration with the V6 typical Ford "phantom" wipers (electrical short in wiper stalk) and finally, poor gas mileage, but thats what you get with a little engine pulling around a large vehicle. Good all-around useful truck--very varsatile. Good daily friver and good work truck.

• 

  Sweet Sweet - 2001 Ford Focus
  By PerryEllis6813 - March 26 - 10:00 am

  I got this car a month ago and it has been all fun. I have had no problems with it. I love the high rpms and keeping up with my friends and their V6s is no prob. Heck I beat most of them in a race. I would recommend this car for everyone. The ones that complain about this car probably drive it like crap, with their feet out the window and cell phones glued to their head. Respect a car, and it wont go wrong on you, but if you insist on flooring it after every light, and slamming on the brakes at the next light, then yeah, no crap you got problems. But as for me, this car has been nothing but fun, and I dont see any problems in the future with this car.

• 

  Great Car - 1998 Ford Taurus
  By Brad Billmaier - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I currently own a 1995 Taurus SHO. The last of the "true" SHOs. I enjoy the car, but i dont need a manual transaxle in a sports sedan. if i wanted to run the gears myself id buy a SPORTS CAR. Thats why im looking into the 3rd Generation SHO. They look great, perform good, and there is nothing like rolling up on an unsuspecting 5.SLOW and SHOing them the dual oval pipes out back.

• 

  Great van, great value and versatility - 1996 Ford Aerostar
  By Pat Hurley - March 26 - 2:00 am

  This van continues to impress, doing everything we could ask of it and much more. We haul kids, dogs, home improvement supplies, LOADS of groceries, tons of vacation stuff, and all without a complaint, a whimper, or a problem of any kind. It isnt fancy yet its remarkably comfortable. If you change the oil every 3000 miles and change the other fluids and belts on time, the Aerostar will never die. It has few drawbacks and many, many virtues that vans which cost many thousands more cannot compete.

• 

  Started out Great - Not so sure now! - 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
  By hybrid_veteran - March 26 - 12:22 am

  Absolutely loved my C-Max at the beginning. Solid, great handling and lots of power compared to my earlier Prius. Perfectly satisfied with the 39 MPG as well given my lead foot. My only concern from the start was reliability. Now at 15,000 miles and am a bit scared. Clock changes time by itself whenever it wants, but thats no big deal. The real concern is that the doors are starting to creak very badly. Hope its just the weather stripping but may be body flex, which isnt particularly fixable. If all that weight on basically a Focus frame turns out to be a mistake I see big problems ahead for this car.

• 

  Ok car - has a lot of little problems - 1996 Ford Contour
  By RELLA - March 25 - 2:00 am

  I got my contour back in 98, it had 30,000 miles on it. Within the first month I had to take it in for the recall on the heat blower switch. Then I had to have new rotors put on it a couple months after that. It seemed to run good for a while. Now the latest is that I have no dash lights, the right hand blinker doesnt work, the heater switch doesnt work again and it runs loud. But it is pretty reliable as I havent had any major things go on it.

• 

  Suits our needs - 2000 Ford Excursion
  By Farmer - March 25 - 2:00 am

  Nearing 36k miles, the V-10 is an excellent running engine, very smooth and quiet. Average 10-11 mpg city, 13.5 to 15 highway. No problems with oil consumption. Ride needed improvement, added B.F. Goodrich tires, Edelbrock shocks and heavier steering stabilizer. Now much more fun and safer to drive. Fit and finish very good, no rattles to date.

• 

  98 Ford Ranger XLT Stepside 4X2 - 1998 Ford Ranger
  By JasMan1249 - March 25 - 2:00 am

  A great running vehicle. I drive it into the mountians 4 times a week and has not given me any mechanical problems. Dealership repair/service is terrible and overpriced.

• 

  a good buy 4 a small truck - 2000 Ford Ranger
  By paulh - March 25 - 2:00 am

  When I retired I was looking for a small truck to use for house hold errands and light hauling (mulch,hobby equip. etc) I wanted to get good milage and a comfortable cab ride ( I didnt want to feel I was crammed inside a small compartment) and with this truck I got all i wished for. I like the utility the long wheelbase offers me without a big fuel bill. 22mpg avg.