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:

• 

  Buyer-Beware!!! Terrible Transmission - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Mark - May 21 - 12:33 pm

  We bought our 2012 Ford Focus SEL 4cyl. Automatic w/overdrive, leather heated seats, tech pkg and even tinted the Windows. This car was purchased main reason of saving on fuel expenses. What are we soon found out was that the transmission works on a dual dry clutch system that has proven to be a reoccurring nightmare month-to-month. I would urge buyers to do in-depth research before purchasing this vehicle as it is and will be a vehicle that needs to go to the shop regularly for transmission resets in computer module issues. In the 1 year we owned the car, I lost hours upon hours of my time waiting on a tow truck to come and pick it up and take it down to the dealer. Also had to open two major cases against Ford motor company. They did nothing about it, therefore I will never buy a Ford vehicle again! Sad to say because Im a patriot and love the thought of buying American. Just traded it in and lost $3500 to negative equity. Shame on Ford!

• 

  Check tran. before warranty expires! - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By poshay - May 19 - 2:00 am

  Just put $1500 into trans. Like others was told the rolling and clunk were normal until the warranty expired 6,000 mi. ago. I will never buy another Ford product after this experience.

• 

  The Expensive Economy Car - 2000 Ford Focus
  By Jennifer L. - May 19 - 2:00 am

  This car has a lot of interior space for a compact car, and leg and head room are a feat of engineering genius. I have no complaints about the simple, ergonomic and functional accessories. Fantastic handling and manouverability, a tough little exterior, and great fuel economy. Problem is $500 rotors that cant be turned and need replacing every 10k miles. The brakes never make a sound so you cant tell when the pads are worn. Why build an economy car with BMW rotors? Remember when Ford used MacPherson Struts on the 1980 Ford Fairmont? The logic of this escapes me. Also if you have a chance, look at the FordFocusBrakeProblems.com site.

• 

  2000 Ford Explorer is a POS - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By jack7175 - May 19 - 2:00 am

  I have experience very high maintenance and repair costs with the 2000 Ford Explorer. I am particularly disappointed in the number of electrical problems I started having once my 36/36,000 warranty expired. I have spent more than $1000 in repair costs since August of 2002 on this piece of crap vehicle. I will think twice, if not three time before buying another Ford vehicle.

• 

  The Pink Probe - 1994 Ford Probe
  By Daniel - May 17 - 1:14 am

  I bought this car about 2 months ago and have had nothing but problems. This car has 164,000 miles on it. The engine is very healthy but everything else is falling apart. The transmission is very fickle and can never decide what gear to be in. The anti-lock light is on on the dash. The brakes make weird noises. The sunroof is rusting badly. The interior is absolutely falling apart and makes all sorts of funky clunking and cracking noises. The AC makes horrid noises and barely works. In Florida, this is not good! I will never by a Ford Probe GT again and dont recommend them to anyone. Horrible choice.

• 

  It Stinks - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By WJROCK07 - May 17 - 12:12 am

  The car was ok until it hit 1800 miles. Then a fuel injector problem caused it to shut off while driving at highway speed. A couple of months later, there was a huge puddle of transmission fluid on the garage floor thanks to a faulty rear transmission seal. So I get that fixed only to have the battery go dead a few weeks later. As of this date, the battery has gone dead 5 times and the problem is still not fixed. The dealership has replaced the alternator on one visit. On another visit they replaced the radio and the amplifiers for the MACH 460 sound system. On the 3 other visits they say "cant duplicate concern". Ford = Fix Or Repair Daily.

• 

  WTF wait 1 year - 2002 Ford Mustang
  By Stoplightgasser - May 14 - 10:00 am

  In 2004 the ford mustang will be improved and totaly redisigned. I suggest you wait because this very dated generation is, well garbage. First of all, though 260hp is alot of horsepower, its a joke for a v8! I mean, come on the other night I had a nissan altima 3.5 pull on me. This car is 90 percent plastic on the inside. I got into a fender bender as someone rear ended me and I rolled into a sign. I found out the exterior is made of plastic too!! I got a hole in my rear and front bumper which cost a lot of fix, because both the bumpers needed to be replaced. Hopefully the 2004 will be improved.

• 

  FOCUS on problems - 2000 Ford Focus
  By va1234 - May 12 - 8:59 pm

  I have had my Focus for 2 yrs now and I have actually driven it for 1.5 yrs because the rest of the time it was in the shop. The warranty company has put $5200 in repairs for the engine and suspension. The only thing that I like is the sound system, interior, and the exterior styling is ok. I have had alternator problems, starting problems (6 times for that one), cooling system, suspension, gaskets, and new steering column (1st week owned). The transmission is quirky and the vehicle has no power. THIS CAR WOULD RUN BETTER FLYING OFF A BRIDGE!!!

• 

  full of vibrations - 2005 Ford F-150
  By Larry - May 8 - 4:26 pm

  Truck is all right if you dont mind driveline vibrations that Ford cant fix, oil leaks and rattles which could be caused by the vibrations.

• 

  Garbage - 2001 Ford F-150
  By Bob - May 7 - 5:41 pm

  Rust all along lower front doors found at 2 years old. Dealer has repainted 3 times. Now the hood is bubbling too! Rear drivers wheel locked up at 35mph due to emergency brake shoe coming apart. Then 1 year later the passenger rear emergency brake locked up the same way. The shoe material separates from the metal. We never used the emergency brake and nobody had ever worked on it. Heck this truck has less than 30k on it! Cant believe no recall on brakes that just lock up one tire at speed TWICE! Power mirror switch inoperable.