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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  Love the Taurus X and our 06 FreeStyle - 2008 Ford Taurus X
  By Navycpowif - March 3 - 1:56 am

  We have owned this car for 3 weeks now and love it just as much as our 2006 Ford FreeStyle. We have owned an Explorer,Windstar and traded our 2005 F150 extra crew Lariet for this Taurus and now have the Freestyle and the Taurus X in the driveway. These cars hold a $400 to 500 shopping spree to Sams club and still the 2 kids. with a breeze. We just have to decide which one to take. Gas mileage has been great. Pickup is wonderful can really tell the difference on the Taurus X. Love my push button back lid opening. And my husband loves the Freestyle as much as his truck- Loves the gas mileage even better. You have to get the Taurus X. Will tow and packs a lot!

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  Great Truck - 2008 Ford F-150
  By Greg - March 2 - 10:24 pm

  Wonderful ride. King Ranch leather is sharp. Great ride on the highway. Handles easy in the city. Reverse sensors are a big help.

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  Nice! - 2008 Ford F-150
  By Fishraiser - March 2 - 9:44 pm

  Well I only owned this truck for 2 wks but it is the nicest one yet. Great handling, good pick up, interior awesome, exterior Mahogany color is sharp .Ive been driving Ford for 25 years & this is the nicest package yet! The real test will be coming up when I tow my 10K # boat.

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  Fun car but expensive car - 1995 Ford Thunderbird
  By patova5500 - March 2 - 10:55 am

  Ive had my Thunderbird for four years now. I think I spent $1400 for it. In these four short years, I have put almost $4000 dollars into it. Ill done had problems from torch converter cracking to the doors to heavy for the hinges, making the doors start to fall down to all kind of other problems and trying to firgure whats making my knock when I do regular service on my car (thinking pushrods or valves). I mean, dont get me wrong, T-birds are good, fun cars. If it wasnt, I woundnt put so much into it. On the bright side, theyre very good on gas. They have alot of power, very fast. They handle curves good amongst other things. Overall I love the 95t-bird, it just cost alot to keep up.

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  02/08 Ford Focus SE - 2008 Ford Focus
  By kenn33 - March 2 - 9:40 am

  Im getting 38.8 ave mpg! Wow this is more than I had hoped for. The car is quiet and has a nice ride but its not a town car by no means. All the features are easy to use. Cruise works better going up hill than down on my 5 speed, it let it get about 5 mph faster down hill. We got a small amount of snow yesterday but it wasnt enough to test the traction control. The heater heats up quickly and has it very hot inside the car in about 20 minutes. The ABS stops the car quickly.

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  c-max - 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
  By puremichigan - March 2 - 9:25 am

  We now have 3746 miles on the car on our 12 day road trip - we averaged 37.1 mpg. Not bad considering all the thing that can degrade mileage; load ( passengers; usualy 2, sometimes 5, plus cooler, luggage, gifts and so forth) temperature (cold - 19 to 49 degrees farenheit) terrain ( Ozarks & Texas hill country) speed (mostly highway 65 to 75 mph) I took multiple 100 mile - mpg samples by resetting the trip data at different speeds 75 mph = 35mpg 65 mph = 39 mpg 55 mph = 44 mpg 45 mph = 56 mpg I assume that the engine is now broke in and that we will get noticably better mileage on local surface streets.

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  Nice, but.... - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Mike Johnson - March 2 - 2:00 am

  Sport Trac is a OK. It looks really good on the outside, BUT... on the inside its lacking. Climate control (no air recycle function), door handle seem flemsy and too damn close to the edge of the driver seat. And...where is the power seat control? I know its down there somewhere, but I cant see it. Also, the seats dont recline all the away, whats up with that??? My dealer ship sells the bed top separately...whats up with that??? Overall it looks good, but the gas mileage is just so so. Its only got a V6 and the F-150 has about the same gas mileage with more towing capacity.

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  I Love My Ford - 2003 Ford F-150
  By CALINATIVE - March 2 - 2:00 am

  This is my third F-150, and I wouldnt have it any other way. Im completly satisfied with the quality of Fords product and services and wouldnt even consider anything else. Wonderful to drive and a pleasure to own!

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  defect - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport
  By David P Brown - March 2 - 2:00 am

  air comes in from front speakers... in the winter its bad.... Ford will do nothing to correct problem.... just walked away... its just to bad.... Dealer spent a lot of time but cant fix... Its a design problem.... I have owned Fords for 25 years NO MORE...

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  Very Disappointed! - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By Happy Driver 4U2C - March 2 - 2:00 am

  I commonly refer to this vehicle as my "Exploder"--Ive had to have the engine and power steering replaced, the power window motor on the drivers side stopped working, when I put on the blinker, my windshield wipers start going, and now the transmission is falling apart to the tune of over $1000! When will it end?! Is this what "Ford Tough" is? I would personally like to push this truck off of a very tall cliff!