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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  Focus - 2008 Ford Focus
  By mimi - June 5 - 12:13 am

  I am a Ford person. I have owned six and I have to say I love this car. It is fun to drive and great on gas. I have the sync and the Siruis radio. Cant get better than that.

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  Splurge for the GT - 2005 Ford Mustang
  By Jessica Johnson - June 4 - 10:36 pm

  I love my new Mustang, its a wonderfully smooth ride, its beautiful, it turns heads. It definitely goes when you hit the gas, but I think I should have paid for the extra 90 horsepower. The traction control is great when it kicks in and I do like playing with the MyColor feature. I find the Shaker 500 is an adequate stereo system -- I dont think the 1000 pays off. The seats and everything seem a little big at first for a female, but now its hard for me to drive my other car. So far the antitheft hasnt done anything, so I dont know much about that. I do love knowing how many miles per gallon I am getting and that sort of thing. Its a fun car- but get a GT.

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  Ok drive, but not reliable - 1996 Ford Explorer
  By mattathayde - June 4 - 8:54 pm

  Got this car from my sister in 05 for free, just paid to ship, ok not bad at all 900 bucks. Had to put 4- 500 bucks into it for repairs. A/C, alignment, brakes. Nothing huge. Now the Explorer has a little bump and dip if you turn it hard right because inside the front wheel well the cloth material that blocks a lot of dirt from getting up into the engine well is ripped and catches the wheel a little. Drive it for about a year, the coolant system started to leak, had to get that fixed, had to get an O2 sensor replaced. Some other repairs. Now we have about 3-5000 worth of repairs needed on it- electrical issues, ac is broken, driving lights go out some times. I didnt abuse it.

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  Excellent Car - 2007 Ford Focus
  By THE ARB - June 4 - 7:30 pm

  I wanted a car that is small on the outside yet big on the inside. In New York City this is the kind of car you need to drive on narrow 2 way streets, with cars double parked. This is a pretty car that has all the basic features, plus some. I chose this car over a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic, for interior comfort, performance and price. I am leasing this car for 24 months, at low mileage. This exactly the type of lease I prefer. This is the first time I acquired a second car; with my first car always being a luxury car.

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  Could have bought better - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By Kim - June 4 - 4:29 pm

  Overall I guess its an OK van. Have had to do a lot of repairs the first year I had it, thank god for warranties. Mine has 133,000 miles on it now and its still going. But in the last year, Ive replaced: the abs sensor, 2 windshields, 2 sets of brakes, shocks and struts, spark plugs twice in 6 months time, t-clamp, camshaft sensor, belt, 2 water pumps, alternator, intake manifold, timing cover gasket, all the needed oil changes, and a transmission flush and fill. And it still had the vibrating start it has had since I bought it with no answer as to whats causing it. The passenger doors auto locks work when they want to. And the door ajar light is on more than its off. Stinks to tow a pop-up with!.

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  Good Ride - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By Pat Deyo - June 4 - 4:16 pm

  Fun to drive. Fun features. Easy to drive. Good looking car.

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  So Far So Good - 2004 Ford Focus
  By jimstoic - June 4 - 10:00 am

  The only problems Ive experienced in my first month have to do with the paint job: Ive gotten two chips off the paint on the hood. I dropped the car by an independent body shop, where I was told the chipping, while lamentable, was not unusual for any car that had been hit by a pebble on the road.

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  Disappointed - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By teddy - June 4 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the ST for 6 months. In that time Ive had three CD Players, a 4x4 switch and moon roof fail. Ford needs to improve the quality of this truck.

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  Above the crowd - 2004 Ford F-150
  By F150reviewer - June 4 - 10:00 am

  The new design is stunning - friends who see it are surprised at the finishes and styling (Lariat model is at the top end in the F150 line). I like the return to classic square lines characteristic of the older F150s. It handles great - solid on the road, powerfull, great steering and cornering. This truck replaces a Mercedes ML320 and we are much happier with this than the ML. Same gas mileage but much more power and more interior room with the SuperCrew.

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  Looking for something new - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By Megan - June 4 - 9:36 am

  I bought my Explorer in 06 used with 54k. I noticed while test driving there was a sort of howling sound when I went about 55mph, but didnt mind it much compared to my Neon I was trading in for it. Since then, I have had problems with one of the rear windows working only when it wants to, Ive not been able to put the shifter in reverse multiple times, the mechanism to recline the seat has also came off many times.The seal on the rear window has came off and I noticed this when I found water in the back. My a/c is out as I speak, so I will be taking that in, although I had it recharged at the end of last summer. Ive kept up on maintenance and it is not paying off as it should.