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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  Best Ford Ever - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By Alecat - September 7 - 6:13 pm

  I love the Ford Five Hundred so much that I bought two of them. This car has everything I want and need. My Five Hundreds are fully loaded AWD Limiteds with CVT. It moves off the line not like my old SHOs did but fast enough and gets up to the speed limit right now. At 110 KPM (Canada) auto A/C on the mileage was 9.1 L/100k or about 32 mpg. Around town it is about 11.1 L/100 k. I only have 5879 kilometers on my car now and it has only been back to the dealer once - for its 5000 k oil change. This is a first for me; two brand new cars and not having to go to the dealer for any reason at all. I love taking people for a ride and can not believe the CVT does not shift; it is so smooth.

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  So far, so good - 2000 Ford Focus
  By jcode - September 7 - 2:00 am

  I have 31K miles on it so far, and there have been no major problems. A couple recalls, and a few very minor inconveniences have occurred. The brakes and windows are both a little squeaky. Also, once in a blue moon, my gas gauge decides not to work. I enjoy driving it. It handles very well, and has plenty of power to change lanes and merge in traffic. I get around 31 mpg. Overall a fun car to drive.

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  Things to check - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Golfer - September 7 - 2:00 am

  The experience has been good todate. A few modifications would help this vehicle.

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  Excellent SUV - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Hoeting - September 7 - 2:00 am

  We love our SportTrac and plan to purchase another one this year. Absolutely NO problems at any time. Its a joy to drive and very convienient with the extended bed. Highly recommend!

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  The best damn truck out there - 2003 Ford F-150
  By Damon Rowe - September 7 - 2:00 am

  This is a really fast beast. And it is fun to drive. I out run all kinds of stuff in this bad boy. Corvetts,camaros i even beat a mustang cobra. Buy this if you want 380 horses and 450 foot pounds of torque. Not to mentoin a 5.4 supercharged engine with a eaton blower and supercharger.

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  Forgot to add - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By ponygirl - September 7 - 2:00 am

  This SUV stinks! The LED lights on steering wheel, CD/stereo player crap out and will fade in and out on occasion. The auto door locks will not unlock, even when I try to unlock the doors with the key so must climb thru the back hatch to unlock the truck! Gas mileage sucks..Transmission is starting to go, too (have 55,000 miles on 1998). This SUV stinks, would never buy another one.

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  Explorer Sport - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By qtrhorsegal - September 7 - 2:00 am

  After owning my 1998 Explorer Sport for a year I am looking forward to trading it in. The vehicle handles poorly! Feeling as if youre going to tip at 40mph is not a good feeling. The V-6 engine has good pickup but the gas mileage is awful! As far as design goes, the Explorer Sport is pleasing to look at but lacks in interior design and comfort. It has good storage capacity. To sum it up, the Explorer Sport is nothing more then a Ford Ranger with a topper and I wont miss mine when its gone.

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  Hoping for improvement to future models - 2001 Ford Escape
  By jennych - September 7 - 2:00 am

  A good buy. Very comfortable ride, good acceleration. Built with safety in mind. Better styling in our minds that Honda CRV and Toyota RAV 4.

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  Escape 2002 with V6 FWD - 2003 Ford Escape
  By John4funmf - September 7 - 2:00 am

  Compared to other cars in the subcompact SUV class, the Escapes V6 engine has the power and performance to lead the pack. Although our familys lifestyle including Summer camping trips traveling via unimproved roads and Winter ski trips in Western New York, we did not feel that we need 4wd. The front wheel drive version has been enough to get us where we want to go. An added benefit is better gas mileage with the FWD. On highway, we average 25 mpg and in city 23 mpg.

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  Out of my pocket!! - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By Jeanine - September 7 - 2:00 am

  Wouldnt you know it, at 44,000 miles and less then three years just 8,000 miles after my warranty ended my power steering pump broke internally sending "shrap metal" into the power steering rack thus destorying that also. $1,130 out of my pocket. NEXT at 55,000 miles my transmission "died" on a on ramp. Aamco said oil shaft pump broke which killed torque converter. $2,170 out of my pocket. Calls to ford headheadquaters in detroit yelled no help or sympathy. Wouldnt buy another ford again if they where the last cars on earth!!!