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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  1st Year - 2007 Ford Explorer
  By theledgers - September 24 - 11:19 am

  We just are getting to the one year anniversary of our Explorer. We love it! Plenty of room for our kids and their soccer, baseball, volleyball stuff, etc. We just finished a trip to Houston, about 350 miles round trip and got our best mpg yet, a little over 22 hwy! That was with mid-grade fuel and running 75 mph for the most part with some Houston traffic built in. Heres hoping the 2nd yr report is as positive!

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  Ironman - 2007 Ford Explorer
  By Michael - September 24 - 8:49 am

  Ford really hit a home run with the Ironman package! Not only do I like exterior appearance with the black cladding but the two-tone interior against the metal look dash sets off nicely. The heavy duty rubber floor mats are perfect for an SUV. The only thing Ford could do better is fit and finish. They do such a good job everywhere else I hope that they can get everything to line up better in future models.

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  Unload both barrels - 2006 Ford F-150
  By possum - September 23 - 10:37 pm

  The steering is too light. The rack/pinion-power assisted steering is way overboard. Its almost unsafe to a point where I only drive this truck on out of town trips when I have to go. I drive class 8 trucks about 6000 miles a week, with my wife. Neither her or I choose to drive the Ford to work. It just sits in the garage waiting to be sold when it gets about 2 yrs old, so as we wont loose money on todays market. Our main means of transportation is still my old 2000 model Sonoma 4x4 with 74000 miles on it. Our next pick-up will be another Chevy or GMC.

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  Ford Focus 03 dohc - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Ed Dickinson - September 23 - 6:10 pm

  Drove car off show room, never had a problem, except normal maintenaince. The car needs more power, a min.of 190hp to 210hp. The lack of power is a big draw back wth the Ford Focus.

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  95 V8 - 1995 Ford Thunderbird
  By Ian - September 23 - 2:56 am

  This is the first Thunderbird I have owned and enjoy the car thoroughly. The car was purchased here in Southern California from an elderly lady who barely drove it. It had 25000 miles on it and is in great shape. The only major expenses I have had was a complete fuel injector clean out and new tires. The car has never failed amaze me with the performance and good mileage

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  This isnt a rental car anymore! - 2008 Ford Taurus
  By Paul - September 22 - 11:34 pm

  Wow, what an improvement over the old jellybean style Taurus that lived only at rental car fleets and some taxi fleets! Its beautiful to look at, angular but not like a CTS, rounded but nothing like the old one. It has presence and attracts looks, something other than the 1986 Taurus couldnt do. A VAST improvement over my last Ford, a Mercury Mistake, err, Mystique with the disappearing transmission. Well done Ford!

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  Gotta Get One - 2005 Ford F-150
  By David Murray - September 22 - 4:16 pm

  I purchased this new truck and absolutely love it! Its a great work, family, or whatever the occasion vehicle to drive. I highly reccomend one to all who are in the market

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  Medium Wedgewood Blue Lariat Supercrew - 2004 Ford F-150
  By Uncle Fetzer - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my 04 Screw Lariat 4x4 since September and love it. The truck looks great in the Medium Wedgewood Blue/Arizona Beige two-tone. When I first bought the truck I had the only one in my area (SE Oklahoma) for a couple months and it was like being a celebrity. People stared, wanted to set in/look at my truck and I had very favorable responses. The ride is great, the truck is very quiet and it seems like a Lincoln. The only downside is fuel mileage. I started out getting about 13 mpg (city/hwy) but at 9,800 miles its up to 16 mpg. Basically, its a great truck!

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  Never buy Ford again! - 2004 Ford F-150
  By Repoman - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Truck sucks, never by American made vehicle again! Always buy foreign. Ford cant even fix this one!

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  Creating a convert - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport
  By alkimther - September 22 - 10:00 am

  I have always been a Ford fan, but my husband was a Chevy fan. After my 93 Mustang finally started dying after 120,000 miles and through no fault of its own he was changing his mind. After we got the Explorer Sport he has totally changed his mind and now loves Fords. Its my truck and I hardly even get to drive it. Being chauffered isnt so bad after all. We live in the country so we put ALOT of miles on our vehicles and we have had no major problems yet. Kim