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:

• 

  God I Miss This Car - 1997 Ford Thunderbird
  By Dr. Brett Schmitz - June 13 - 3:52 pm

  I purchased this car in 2000 before I went off to college. It had 107,000 miles on it when I purchased it. Drove it back and forth 90 miles each way for 5 years of college. Awesome fuel mileage (just a tick under 30mpg) the entire time I owned it. Handled excellent and in the 6 years and 60,000 miles that I owned it I had to replace a mass airflow sensor, tires, and a ball joint. This car was phoenomenally reliable and fun to drive! My only gripe with the car the entire time I owned it was that the driverside window never like to roll up properly and eventually came out of the track. I wish I still owned this car but I unfortunately sold it to my neice and she crashed it 3 days later:

• 

  Focus Follow-up - 2006 Ford Focus
  By Focus follow-up - June 13 - 1:36 pm

  After having the car a little over 1 1/2 months, 3000 miles and in the Texas heat of 95 deg here are my observations: 1) the A/C interuption during accellerations is annoying, especially if you just got in the car and it is not already pre cooled. 2) gas mileage averages 28-29.5 mpg with 50/50 driving type. More if A/C not used. 3) all else Im pretty happy with so far. The A/C deal was not a make or break for me when I was deciding whether to buy or not. The many other advantages out weigh this flaw.

• 

  Very Satisfying Purchase - 2008 Ford Fusion
  By TheDuck - June 13 - 10:37 am

  I was planning to buy a Pontiac Vibe. I only test drove the Fords so that I could tell my auto worker friend that I gave it a chance. The Pontiac was a great car but the Fusion was just more comfortable and much quieter on these rough Detroit area roads. I tried the Focus too. But when I tried the V6 Fusion I was in love. Driven thoughtfully and with luck with traffic, I can get upt to 22.7 miles while 20.5 is what I get being my agressive self on city streets. On the highway with no air I have gotten just short of 31. I have SYNC and it is a great feature since the local laws forbid driving and using a cell. The Sirius is another unexpected delight but a bit pricey.

• 

  My first "family car" - 2006 Ford Fusion
  By Evan Loiterman - June 13 - 3:50 am

  I missed my 2001 ZX3 after it was totaled (I bought when I was single).I needed a 4-door sedan with a first rate crash test rating with some power and NOT boring, Oh and affordable. Bought it used - great deal! The imports were expensive, I did not want to settle foe a 4 cylinder. I was thinking about the Impala and the G6.

• 

  Dad passed away and I kept his car - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By TREE - June 13 - 1:15 am

  The radio definitely should have been fixed by Ford! Spark plugs shorted out. The drivers side door would not open from the inside so I could not get out of the car. It cost me $390 the other day to fix which hit me hard being a single mom of three children. The antenna also needed to be fixed because it wouldn"t go up and down. It got stuck in the middle. The windshield wipers did not work and the whole thing inside had to be replaced a few months ago and that ran about $280. The back one does not work now, but it is not important to get that fix nlike the front ones. I keep this car because it was my fathers and it has sentimental value or I would have gotten rid of it.

• 

  Review - 2005 Ford Freestar
  By Louise - June 13 - 12:14 am

  We have had our van a month and love it! It is actually fun to drive! We have plenty of room and there is a DVD player for our grandkids!! If youre looking for a sporty reliable van this is the one to get!

• 

  Great Value - 2008 Ford Ranger
  By Felix - June 12 - 9:36 pm

  I was planning to buy a Tacoma but after driving both vehicles and with the rebates and sales incentives from Ford, I got the Ranger and I dont regret it. I got it with the automatic, cruise control, & a sliding rear window. After 2000 miles I am getting 27 mpg on the highway with two passengers and camping gear & I expect the mpg to improve when I put a lid on the bed and as I put more mileage. I like the ride but it rides like a truck. The performance is good but it takes patience driving up mountains. It runs well to excellent on most roads & highways. I get the best mileage when I tach between 2000-3000. I added a Sony FM/AM mp3 CD player with an aux i-pod input & the music sound great

• 

  Why did I buy this car? - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Jason - June 12 - 8:26 pm

  I have owned the car since new and have been battling problems ever since. The problems range from mechanical to customer service. The first winter I owned the car it would not start several times. I called the dealership and was told that this was "normal". The entire exhaust system needed replaced at 10,000 miles. The drivers side window developed several large scratches that the cause could not be explained by the dealership. Ford is unwilling to replace. The scratches continue to get worse. Lots of squeaks and rattles after only 34K miles. I wish I would have shopped around more. For the same $22K I could have bought an RSX Type S and had much better resale value.

• 

  Another bad Ford - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By odd-job - June 12 - 4:55 pm

  I have a 2002 Eddie Bauer V8 Explorer, my second Explorer. Previous one was a 1997, and that one was much better. Ford came out with a new Explorer in 2002 that was much larger, more steady, but in my opinion, much more problematic. My transmission was replaced at 95k miles, the radiator was replaced at 90k miles, the car has overheated multiple times and left me stranded on the side of the road, the 6 disc in dash CD player sticks all the time and gets jammed, the transmission still slips, the rear seatbelts flap really loudly when the front windows are down, the drivers window motor has slowed down, the air conditioning is spotty, and the heater takes about 10 minutes to warm.

• 

  Good car - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By good car - June 12 - 12:33 pm

  Loved the car. Im 6,5" 260 bodybuider frame and never felt crowded, lots of legroom. Usually got around 22 mpg per fiilup. No problems. Just got the fever for the new Jeep unlimited Sahara 4dr, but will probably regret the trade