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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  Not bad - 2014 Ford Mustang
  By crow_5 - November 27 - 3:06 am

  I just got a 2014 mustang its my first brand new car as Im only 17. I love it. It drives well and handles great. Not to amazed by the interior. Looks cheap. Also had a squealing noise in the the transmission well I think thats where its coming from. It gets louder in reverse and drive. But over all I love the car. Not to happy about the stock wheels Ford hands out the car. I know its a base v6 but cmon its a mustang. Im purchasing new wheels for it soon anyway. Its an automatic, there was no choice for automatc v6.

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  EXCELLENT TRUCK - 1999 Ford Ranger
  By lutorr6 - November 26 - 9:18 pm

  I bought my 1999 Ford Ranger brand new with 13 miles on it. It was the best purchase I have ever made. My truck is extremely reliable. It has never left me stranded. The parts are cheap. It gets descent gas mileage. I LOVED MY TRUCK. My current mileage is 310,000. If you considering buying a truck, I would highly recommend a Ford Ranger. It was the best purchase I ever made.

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  I love my focus - 2014 Ford Focus
  By vw1991 - November 26 - 12:26 am

  I bought my car a few months back and while it may be a bit soon to review I have to say I love this car. I can fit a disturbing amount of shenanigans into my focus. I have 2 children a well over 6 foot husband and our family dog. We all manage to pile in with room to spare. It handles much better than my previous cars on the highway. All my cars have been 4cyl hatchbacks and I have to say that EVERY one of them was miserable at highway speeds. The focus doesnt even sweat at the 75mph limit here in KS. I read the awful reviews of the automatic and I opted for the familiar old 5 speed instead. I would definitely recommend this car to anyone looking for small cheap car with tons to offer.

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  Just an EXCELLENT car!! - 2013 Ford Fusion
  By mc929 - November 23 - 5:28 pm

  I currently have 29100 miles on this car. I am the type of person that cannot stand any types of rattles or body shake when the road becomes uneven. This car even after almost 30,000 miles feels like it is cut from one piece of stone! Just solid!! Brakes are excellent and still have almost 50% left on the pads. Handling is excellent! Ride is smooth with amazingly little road noise, wind noise, or engine noise! Just a quiet ride! The 2.0 ecoboost is excellent and has been averaging 27.7 mpg combined! Car has not been into shop once for anything other than scheduled maintenance. So for me reliability for me has been excellent!

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  Best drivers car under 30k - 2015 Ford Fiesta
  By 12sectruck - November 20 - 7:39 pm

  First a little background. I am 47 yrs old. I have owned and driven many so called performance vehicle, many of which have been Fords. I still own a 2001 F-150 Lightning which I purchased in 2001 and has around 500 rwhp. I was driving a MKV GTI with stage 1 as my daily driver for the last 2 yrs. The warranty was almost up so I started looking. Since I have an hr. Commute each way to work, my main priorities were fun to drive and decent gas mileage. My price range was around 30k. My first choice was the Focus ST. Then got my car & driver mag and see the Fiesta ST received 6th place. Time for another test drive! That was all it took! A little less room but 4k cheaper and more smiles!! SOLD

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  More Dual Clutch Transmission Problems - 2012 Ford Focus
  By thomasln - November 20 - 8:53 am

  An update to my previous post. The TCM ground fault is clearly not the problem as the car continues to slip out of gear. I took it back to the dealer, they kept it for 6 days, then called to say that it "needs a new transmission" that will cost over $5200. Others have posted that they have paid for a new transmission only to have the same problem. Do not buy one of these cars for any reason. I am now stuck with a car that moves only when it wants to, that I cant allow my kids to drive, that my wife refuses to drive, and that I cannot sell because my conscience wont allow it.

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  The only one - 2012 Ford Focus
  By duke2012 - November 17 - 3:34 pm

  We have a 2012 Focus and it has been a great little car. We are averaging 33.5 mpg on a trip from GA to TX & back, interstate and stop & go driving. At 20,000 miles we started having transmission shudder, I called service at our dealer. Decided it carry it in with it was time for a oil change, in a week got a notice from Ford stating to carry it in for service on the transmission. We carried it in the first of September and got it back the same day, no more shudder. We now have a 7 year - 100,000 warranty on the transmission. Dealership and Ford did everything to make us happy. Not sure about the other post but we are happy.

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  Just OK as an SUV - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By mauwii - November 15 - 5:35 pm

  Moved from a Chevrolet Traverse to the new Explorer and quickly found it was not a good move. The car is just OK, the performance has far too much lag in it, acceleration is deceiving, the boot is awkward, the seats are difficult to fold down. The doors are flimsy and really light. The running lights are a pain in that they dont come on when you want them to. The electronics are slow to kick-in, slow to do what you want them to do. The controls are far too small on the steering wheel, if you are a man they are painful to use. The doors dont unlock when you exit, so you have to go inside to unlock the vehicle. The fuel tank is too small and the average mile/gallon just not good enough.

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  Oldie still going strong - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By jenennis06 - November 15 - 11:37 am

  I owe a 1999 Ford Explorer. I love my truck. I live where it snows a lot and it rolls over all of it with no issues. I has enough room for my family and our pets. I can easily say this is the best thing I have owned. Bought with a newer motor (under 20,000 miles on it) and it says it over 224,000 miles on the truck its self. The engine runs smooth. Starts every time. Has some cosmetic rust. But I figure thats normal. Replaced normal wear and tear items. I bought a new radio by choice. With all the bad I find the good and would buy a Ford again.

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  First Ford... - 2013 Ford Taurus
  By gbriank - November 14 - 3:18 am

  Never owned a Ford product before.. and the SHO was an excellent first car. Im ever impressed by the refined engine and AWD system. It provides effortless power all the time. This is a HUGE car and drives like it. In a straight line, no problem...but when you push it in the corners or try to make extreme corrections, the car LOUDLY complains. Build quality is lacking in a few spots (center console, a few attached body pieces that have come loose), but overall has been very good. Discounts abounded when I leased my SHO, along with 0% interest, made getting this car no-brainer.