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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  Great deal, but rife with rust! - 2005 Ford Focus
  By Krakenbound - May 21 - 7:30 am

  For the price, this car cant be beat, if you value the same things I value, which are 5 speed performance, hatch back functionality, clean and modern interior, low maintenance, and reasonable gas mileage. The 5 speed is very quick. The handling is very good. The tires stick well, work great in the rain, and arent too noisy. The interior has clean lines, functional controls, and good shades of grey. The seats are well designed, firm, and very comfortable for my 510", 240lb body. (my 52", 110lb girlfriend likes them too!)

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  SUV Comfort - 2006 Ford Expedition
  By No. Cali - May 21 - 2:20 am

  This is my second Ford SUV. My first Ford Explorer was such a joy, I couldnt wait to afford an Expedition. Its spacious and very comfortable in seating and routine road handling. The interior is welcoming and functional. The seats are just the perfect height with just the right amount of support. The Expeditions are the better priced SUVs when considering functional useage, size, and family accommodations. Three of my family members bought Tahoes, but enjoy road trips in my Expedition better (rear seat entry/exit and seat comfort) as well as the configurations for cargo capacity over their Tahoes. Also Expedition standard features (XLT) result in a better cost.

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  My ZX3 is a workhorse! Im sad to sell! - 2000 Ford Focus
  By Chenago - May 20 - 12:06 pm

  Ive been driving my little ZX3 for seven years now. It has been a wonderful little car. Yes, its true that I it had some recalls, but thats all over with. I can haul almost anything that I want. The purchase price and the cost of gas still dont add up to the cost of a hybrid. It will carve Highway 55 with the best of them and Ill pass them at the pump, because Im getting 35 mpg. It has spunk in the city and cruises easily on the highway. The stereo rocks. In seven years Ive replaced the battery, window crank and the ignition switch. Im very sad that Ford isnt bringing back the ZX3 in 08, so Im selling and purchasing a new 07. Heres to another seven years!

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  Best Car - 1995 Ford Thunderbird
  By thunder8 - May 20 - 8:09 am

  When I need to cruise its my joyride. The smooth ride down the road makes it very comfortable and when I want to race somebody the power is there.

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  2005 F-150 - 2005 Ford F-150
  By John - May 20 - 6:42 am

  Drives and rides well. More than adequate power and torque for pulling a full size bass boat (my primary reason for purchasing).

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  Very peppy car - 2005 Ford Focus
  By Slimm - May 19 - 8:27 pm

  I love my car. I have no regrets of buying this car since day one. It has a great amount of power for such a little car. I love everything about this car. I would recommend the Focus ST to anyone that still needs a sedan but also wants a little power

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  Fun little hot rod from SVT - 2004 Ford Focus
  By Chris - May 19 - 1:59 pm

  What a great car! Having owned SVT products in the past, I have always been impressed with the performance, handling and all around fun factor of these cars. This Focus was no exception. That being said, it does have its "quirkiness", mainly that the engine has an emissions-control function that makes the revs hang in-between shifts and that the dual-stage flywheel takes some getting used to. However, these are easily corrected by a "tune" for the ECU. It also adds 10 HP to wheels and allows you to scan for DTCs. The car handles extremely well for a front driver. You can actually get it to four wheel drift!! I have the EAP package-a must have!

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  Luv My Bird - 2003 Ford Thunderbird
  By David R. Adinolfi - May 19 - 9:38 am

  I bought this 2003 TBird primarily for my wife. We started our special car life with an MGA 40 odd years ago. It was fun, but now in our older years we appreciate the amenities in our Bird. It has good power, special looks and its fun to drive. It is really comfortable for a car this size and we appreciate that since neither of us is small. And it will accommodate 2 full sets of golf clubs. We couldnt ask for a better, and for us, practical fun car.

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  Muscle - 2005 Ford Mustang
  By Bryan - May 18 - 4:30 pm

  The vehicle is everything Ford designers intended it to be. This automobile is sleek in every aspect; the exterior and the old body design to the sporty look, not so much the European look on the interior.

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  At 209,000+ Miles, Still a Great Car - 1993 Ford Explorer
  By explorereb98 - May 18 - 2:58 pm

  My parents gave me this car as a graduation gift in 2004 and it had 146,000 miles at the time. It was a great car for me and it took everything I threw at it. It never left me stranded and other than the usual mechanical issues that come with a car with around 150,000 miles, it was all in all a great car. I just traded it in for a 1998 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer and hope that this one is as good as the other.