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:

• 

  Cant believe the ride - 2010 Ford F-150
  By ThreeFound - November 7 - 1:00 am

  This truck is quiet, smooth, good MPG, and very roomy. I cant believe it is a truck as it rides like a Cadillac and has more interior room than any car on the road. Love the redesign of the rear seats and I can hold 5 large adults very comfortably with tons of leg rooms. 21 mpg on highway...

• 

  I Love My Truck - 2010 Ford F-150
  By Durwin - November 7 - 1:00 am

  Well I was going to buy a Mercedes E350 but I decided to try out a truck instead. Im so glad I did. I love this truck. It has nav. and sync which I absolutely love. I show it to everyone that will look at it. Its a trill to drive and very comfortable too. A+ Ford

• 

  Great value - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By Venezuelan - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Fiesta in July (I ordered to my specs), so far Ive driven aprox. 2500 miles. Overall Im satisfied with my purchase, I used to drive an 07 Camry with a 2.4 engine. The Fiesta engine is not as powerful but it will not disappoint you, it will get to highway speeds fast, I feel the car begins to feel a little bit heavy going over 70 mph, at that point you will running at about 3000 rpm. Im getting 34 mpg 50% city 50% Hwy, the Fiesta is quiet on the streets, suspension is good I barely use the SYNC (only to send the vehicle health reports to Ford), for the price this will a good purchase, it will save you money on commute and long trips.

• 

  Fun Fiesta - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By Fiestaman - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I have always been an import fan due to higher quality, better design, and increased dependability. This Ford won me over. I really like this car a lot. It feels more like Hondas felt in the eighties than Hondas do now. It is great fun to drive. The few drawbacks thus far: not much rear-seat room, the PowerShift auto transmission hunts for gears and makes strange shifts sometimes, and the fuel economy is not as good as it should be for a car this size with this amount of power. I am hoping Ford will be able to use direct injection in the future to up the power and economy. I have been converted to a Ford fan-something I never thought I would say.

• 

  Love my Fusion - 2010 Ford Fusion
  By Megan - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my fusion for a little over a month now and I love it. I was deciding between it and the Accord. In the end the Fusion won hands down because of all the cool features the car has. It is a nice smooth ride and I love the SYNC system and bluetooth. It is the prefect size sedan where it is not too big. It looks great on the outside and inside. So glad I bought a Ford!

• 

  Wow, Is this a Ford? - 2010 Ford F-150
  By F150 Convert - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Just picked up my F150. Drove a GMC Sierra for many years. Just happened to look at the F150 and immediately fell in love. Awesome truck. Looks great, well built, very quiet at speed. Better gas mileage than my old GMC. Engine power is more than sufficient. Ford has really stepped its game up a notch. Forget any negative things you have ever heard about the F150. Well Done Ford!!

• 

  Takes a lot of abuse - 2000 Ford Focus
  By Joemisseshisfocus - November 3 - 2:00 am

  A lot of people bash the focus for being an unreliable car. When I bought mine as a used car it had 87,000 miles on it, two and a half years later it had 188,000 miles on it, it was my first good car. Its fast, reliable, has a great suspension and a great stereo. I beat the wheels off of this car, I delivered pizza in it and did other things you should not do to a compact car in it, any other car would have not withstood the abuse I gave it. I sold it and it is being enjoyed by someone else today. Only complaint. no armrest! this older model is better than the new ones they have out!

• 

  Great Vehicle to own - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By R. Ferguson - November 3 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive on road. handles like a sport car, and would not change a thing on it.

• 

  What a blast! - 2011 Ford Mustang
  By David - November 2 - 2:00 am

  This is the base v6 convertible. Only option is the 6 speed auto. All the positives in the reviews are spot-on. This car is sensational! The negatives Ive read dont even apply (at least to me). My 6,1" son has sat in the back - with the drivers seat in normal position (I am 6). He said he wouldnt want to sit there all day, but even a couple hours would be fine. That was a surprise - I thought the back seat was just for the insurance companies. I have only 1,000 miles on the car (had it for 2 wks) - and got 30 mpg on a 90 minute trip the other day. And that included an - ahem - acceleration test on the highway. A blast to drive, and thats with the top up. Top down - fantastic!

• 

  Geat car - 2009 Ford Focus
  By Sedan - November 2 - 2:00 am

  I got the new blue color car and I love it. It was the perfect size for us and looks so nice. I am very proud to be an owner of a ford focus.