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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  Big Money Wasted - 2007 Ford F-150
  By john - May 27 - 9:50 pm

  The 2007 Ford SuperCrew I purchased has already had problems. The signal lights stopped working last month, and the windshield washer stopped working this month. There is also a heat sheild that has been fixed twice that is still fibrating in my ear. Over all the quality of the truck is poor. It is a nice truck to drive when it is working correctly, but it has not worked correctly in since it was new. I would like to trade it in but Ford plays with the pricing so much that it is hard to find what the real value is. They do not hold any value. I will take a $12,000-$15,000 loss on it.

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  Good truck, great old time engineering - 2006 Ford Ranger
  By Shook - May 27 - 6:57 pm

  This is about my 5th Ranger had them from 83 to 06, including a rare Ranger GT. This is by far the best. I have the 4:10 posi rear, with the 4.0 automatic. The truck is very responsive, steering feels great with the rack and pinion, and rides nice with the torsion bar front end. Overall the older engineering to me is just well proven, like the dash borrowed from 95 era explorer, simple, functional, and reliable. The rugged looks of this truck are unbeatable. Ive had it for over a year now and have had zero problems. Sadly I think these Rangers are last of a breed, Ford will be forced to downsize the engines due to emmissions regs, and probably change the body and frame setups.

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  2007 Ranger - 2007 Ford Ranger
  By mac0s9user - May 27 - 5:37 pm

  Overall not a bad truck. Great off-road with the limited slip differential. Manual trans does well with no slippage. Body is okay but a little to much plastic for my personal liking.

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  Problem Solver - 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By SEVEREBEAGLE - May 27 - 11:40 am

  My lease is finally over! I really enjoyed this wanna be truck, too bad the gas mileage was not great. 16 mpg on a good week of city driving. I wish the new 2009 was out but not at the dealer yet. Two things need to improve, the gas mileage and the small compartments in the bed should be waterproof and with locks of some kind. I am really gonna miss this one.

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  2006 Freestyle ... skip the minivan - 2006 Ford Freestyle
  By RealHawker - May 26 - 10:46 pm

  Limited Black leather interior is great looking. Layout and NAV system are nice features. I wouldnt get this car in anything but the Limited style. Get the captains chairs in the 2nd row if you have 2 or more car seats. You can scoot between the rows, if you take out the console, or you can climb over it easier than taking out the car seats to get in the back.

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  Best for the money in every way - 2003 Ford Focus
  By ischober - May 26 - 8:31 pm

  My Focus 4 door wagon is the best car for the money I have ever had. Huge space with back seat down. Has everything a more evpensive car has except dumb things like outside temperature sign ( just lower the window). Only possible drawback is that the back seat does not seperate the same as the back of seat. Air excellent, good mileage. Wish I could buy another new one here in Mexico! If there is a new one anywhere in Mexico I would fly to get it!

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  ZX5 - 2002 Ford Focus
  By Jason23 - May 25 - 11:04 pm

  After purchase from private party I changed out plugs and wires, oil (5-20), replaced damaged side mirror and antenna. The 16" low profiles with alloys corners like a dream. Nice pick up with the 16 valve zetec 130 pony 2.0 liter fuel injected grinder. 6 CD changer and no nonsense dash layout provides a solid experience. Im up to 28 plus mpg driving 11 miles one way to work. Nice quiet ride and tight suspension. Access to oil filter is difficult for oil changes. All in all a great value for the money.

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  GT convertible - 2003 Ford Mustang
  By FEZ - May 25 - 10:14 pm

  Great car at a lower than expected price, lots of power,handles very well,car still a favorite of many onlookers even when compared to new styling [some prefer it to the retro look]. It is also a car well supported by the aftermarket suppliers so custom accessories abound. Happy with mine after three years of ownership!

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  Love my 93 - 1993 Ford Taurus
  By jessiegirl - May 25 - 8:14 pm

  I bought this car with 55,000 miles on it. In 6 years I now have over 135,000 miles on it and other than replacing the valve cover gaskets, I havent had any major problems. I actually get about 20 miles to the gallon in the city. Yea, hard to believe, but I do. I love it because its roomy and big and I feel far safer driving it than one of those little foreign cars.

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  I love my Mustang! - 2002 Ford Mustang
  By Sandra - May 25 - 7:03 pm

  I have had this car for a little over 3 years now, and still love it! Its never had a problem, looks beautiful and handles great. The Mustang is an incredibly fun car to drive, and a great value for the money.