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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  Fun car! - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By alliemn - February 26 - 2:39 pm

  I have a 5-door automatic SES with the yellow paint, and I love it! Its zippy and fun to drive. I get lots of compliments on my car. Its been winter in MN for the whole time Ive owned my Fiesta so far, and the car heats up quickly and starts just fine in the cold, though it helps to let it run for couple minutes before driving. I havent had any trouble driving in the snow.

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  Throw away the Bow tie - 2010 Ford F-150
  By butch0630 - February 25 - 3:25 pm

  Bought this dark blue beauty at the end of the year and got a super buy. Rock solid performance and comfort features galore. I pull a trailer and truck has hard time adjusting to steep downhill grades at low speed. Engine want to rev real load and first time is scary. Went to dealer and they told me this was normal. Biggest suggestion is you spend as much time selecting a dealer as yo do the vehicle. I drove 3 hours and bought a vehicle from a ealer who did not offer best price but there service and the way they treated me was well worth the cost. Had proplem with a flat tire and local dealer did not want to honor the nitrogen warantee. My dealer took care of it over the phone.

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  What a Great Car - 2011 Ford Focus
  By hanksranger - February 22 - 9:37 pm

  I have had this car since December 2010, First off I never saw myself buying a car, as I have always driven and liked trucks more but I needed something good on gas as I have put 5000 miles on it since I bought it. I have not had a single mechanical issue with it. It handles great, looks good and fit my budget perfectly (the extra features I did not plan on getting where a huge plus). Ford has done really well with their quality the past few years as I have noticed. This thing is built very well and the interior is very well put together, with quality material. I cant stress enough how happy I have been with it. Only thing I could say is its not that comfy on long trips.

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  Ford did their homework and deserve a chance! - 2011 Ford Edge
  By gunnardad - February 18 - 8:44 pm

  A lifelong foreign car owner-except for 2 suburbans- and a Range Rover lover, I was looking for safe, economical car that would protect my wife,be comfortable for long trips, room for sports equip. (I am spoiled by my 30 yr old!!MB diesel giving 30mpg hwy) and decided to give domestic cars a chance, after looking at MB MLs, BMW x and Toureg. We liked the older Edge styling and saw new beautiful silver/black one at dealer. Wow. Quiet, comfortable, smooth, corners flat, and moves like a big V8! Shocked. Bought it. Simple 2wd SE, no touch system(I like dials and hate gimicry) Cloth seat material is surprisingly comfortable, practical and cool(Florida) Powerful, roomy, and avg. 20/28 GO FORD!

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  I LOVE this truck! - 2006 Ford F-150
  By lilweebugs - February 18 - 11:18 am

  this is my first full size truck and everything about it is amazing. It handles better than my 00 escort zx2,04 ranger, and husbands 10 civic si and 04 trailblazer! It is solid, smooth, and quiet. It easily pulls a 20 boat, & 3 horse trailer. the bed is a little small but Able to fit a 2010 rancher in the bed with extender and tie downs, can also haul 15 hay bales or a 5 round bale easily. Cab is very roomy, 63 hubby has no complaints, able to fit 2 adults, 2 kids, 2 80 lb dogs, 2 carseats and snacks easily! Handles great on every type of surface, or grade. Never needed any type of work, everything runs perfectly.

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  Very happy with New Edge - 2011 Ford Edge
  By jbrtp - February 14 - 8:01 pm

  Traded 07 Suburban for 09 Mariner. Mercury too small and slow - got a good deal and traded for 2011 Edge. No leather - no sync - no Ford touch - result - good car. Looked at Chevy Equinox, Honda CRV- Acura - Toyota Rav 4 and Highlander - Mazda CX7. Ford seemed better made and more solid. Mazda, even though same underpinings, seemed cheaper and required premium gas. Hit gas in Edge and car goes. Brakes are good and steering feedback are just fine considering its a CX. Wish it had blue tooth as an option. Hard to see right front end at times. Agree about headrests, but we are used to them now with a little bit of recline in the seat. Biggers wheels improve mileage by 1-3 MP

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  The Jury is still out - 2011 Ford Explorer
  By 1rodnoib - February 14 - 6:52 pm

  Looks great inside and out, build quality top notch - no rattles or squeaks! MPG is 20 Avg (less than 1k), hopefully better after break-in. No Sync crashes, but it is not the most user friendly system. Will get better with use Im sure, does more than most people will ever need.

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  SO FAR SO GOOD! - 2011 Ford Taurus
  By saintjr - February 11 - 11:25 pm

  Enjoying riding in my 2011 Taurus Limited. Just turned over 800 miles and thus far I am a happy camper! Got it near the end of 2010. I love its size and comfortable ride. The cargo volume is huge. Every where I go I get thumbs up. The over all remark is well the Taurus has really come into its own.

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  2011 Mustang GT is Best Ford has built - 2011 Ford Mustang
  By mustangman308 - February 8 - 4:10 am

  I just bought my 2011 Mustang GT Premium (5.0 6M) - with Brembo Package & 3.55 gears and its by far the best stock Mustang GT ever built. The new 5.0 engine does not stop pulling and the 6 M transmission is smooth and the Brembo brakes & suspension make the car handle like its on rails. TEST DRIVE ONE and you will buy it *** its that good.

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  Very nice car for the $$$ - 2011 Ford Fusion
  By dghott - February 5 - 9:21 pm

  This is my second Fusion having "crossed over" from my Honda Accords. I upgraded to and AWD version because of the winter we have been having in MN this year. The AWD system is seamless and makes driving in snow a snap. No buttons or anything to screw around with. As with my last Fusion, I cannot recommend highly enough the sync system. I upgraded to the Nav system to get the touch screen and marvel at how high tech it is all the time. The 3.5l V6 in the sport has a lot of grunt and it is nice to have the power at your disposal, but the combination of a smaller gas tank and worse MPG is a bit of a bummer. Especially since I was getting 32-34 MPG in my 2.5l 4 cyl. It is a trade-off I guess.