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 truck - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By gunnar - May 16 - 2:00 am

  A well built vehicle thats fun and adventures

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  Ford is doing it right! - 2001 Ford Focus
  By Jerry McGee - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Great daily driver that I use in sales in So. Calif. area. Has been exceptionally reliable and 95% problem free. 80,000 miles on it now; never has used any oil. I change my own oil regularily at 5M intervals. Very adequate interior room compared to my last 2 Tempos. I am a happy camper!

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  Starfire Escape - 2004 Ford Escape
  By mmnats - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Exceptionally easy to drive. A lot of get up and go. Easy to maneuver and park. 1st SUV I bought but not the last. I keep a car for many years and I know this will outlast my previous car. SUVs are easier to get into and out of that standard cars for anyone with a handicap. I just feel wonderful when driving my starfire red Escape. I really feel like Im escaping from the doldrums of everyday living.

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  Best Vehicle Ive Owned - 1997 Ford F-150
  By jrg - May 15 - 2:38 pm

  My ten year old F-150 extended, short bed has paid for itself time and again. It has 133,000 miles, and have only had to replace tires and brake pads. The greatest expense was wire damage thanks to a local rodent. Ford wires must taste good. I get a constant 19 miles per gallon with the 4.6 V-8.

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  2005 XLT FWD V6 - 2005 Ford Escape
  By mec1974 - May 15 - 12:32 pm

  I first saw the Escape in 2000 when they first came out and was amazed with how peppy they are. Bought a used 05 with 18K miles. The dealer had several Limited editions on the lot with better options but I opted for one with the No Boundaries package with cloth. I like the more aggressive look of the roof rack and the black fender flares. It does drive somewhat like a truck, but I like that. You sit a little higher in traffic, which I like, and makes me feel safer. I did not want the AWD because my wife had an AWD SUV and the gas mileage was horrible. Plus, here in Texas 4x4 and AWD really are not necessary.

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  My Escort - 1997 Ford Escort
  By fubar1 - May 15 - 11:36 am

  I really like my 1997 Escort. It has lots of power and I really like the handling on dirt and asphalt roads. My only complaint is that the back of the car is too light and it likes to slide when going through curves on dirt roads at high speeds. But I added weight and it is great now.

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  Transmission Surge Update - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By Ed - May 15 - 10:46 am

  This is a follow up to a previous problem report. The CVT engine/transmission was rough especially during moderate acceleration during warm-up. The shop foreman was very proactive by contacting the engineering rep even though no error codes appeared in the computer. Coincidentally a technical service bulletin [TSB 05-17-05] appeared within a week of my problem. The shop foreman contacted me! The PCM and TCM were reprogrammed per the TSB and ALL IS WELL! Now, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Ford Five Hundred. Roomy, comfortable on a trip, good mileage and fun to drive. Dont pay any attention to some car mag reports about inadequate acceleration. Test drive the CVT and be surprised.

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  Still Happy With It - 2002 Ford F-150
  By CT - May 15 - 4:24 am

  Bought new in November 2002. Generally still like the vehicle and like the styling better than the new F-150 except for the front end. Absolutely love how comfortable the vehicle is front and back, and the quality of the leather seats are very good and easy to maintain. Have had few problems except with the drivers side heated seat and the keyless entry system, both of which were repaired under warranty. The paint quality is excellent and there are still no rattles and squeaks after 4 1/2 years. The dash is starting to look dated now, especially when compared to the new models. Undercarriage has some rust which in my view is premature. Great power with the 5.4, but fuel economy is only OK.

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  The Ford Focus Electric doesnt get enough credit - 2014 Ford Focus
  By Tim - May 15 - 3:36 am

  I have had a lot of cars in my time (VW, Honda, Mazda), and this car is definitely the best value for my money that I could ever imagine having. There is one caveat... you have to be able to drive the car within its range. This probably isnt the car for you if you live in a cold climate, and you need to keep it plugged in if you live in a hot climate. However, I would call this car a luxury car, and to drive a car of this quality every day I would easily spend 3 times as much in overall costs. Range... If you drive this like any other car, then your range will probably be 70 miles on an average day, but only around 45 miles at 32 degrees. The great thing is that traffic actually increases your range. I couldnt imagine a better car in traffic. It is comfortable, quiet, and using the low range mode means you rarely have to touch the brake pedal. Battery... I just tested the battery, and after 2 years I have not had any loss. The car has a cooling system on the battery. Maintenance/Repairs/Warranty... I have had no maintenance costs. The car has been in the shop for 21 days in 2 years for work on the charging system. However, I have a backup car so that has not been an issue. The great thing is that the charging system/battery is warranted for 8 years/100k miles. As long as you can deal with the car being in the shop periodically, then this isnt a problem. Again, I look forward to 8 years of very low maintenance costs. Exterior... I love the exterior. I have the white pearl paint, and the paint quality is very good. I love Mazdas and Hondas, but their paint is notoriously bad and cheap. Its nice to have good paint for a change. Interior... This is one of the nicest cars I have ever had. The leather seats are of high quality, and it feels like a luxury car. It is very quiet, and there is no emissions to breathe in. Cargo space is very small due to the battery placement, but i love the fact that i can put items in the back without them sliding around. Ride... The ride and handling is very good. The car is heavy, so it rides well, and the handling is very good. Performance... The car is very slow off the line up to 5 miles an hour. However, in real world driving most people to take off quickly from the line. The car has a very smooth start. The rest of the time the performance is very good. Acceleration is great once you have started, as the electric motor provides instant torque. It is most impressive while going up a hill. If I need to pass going up a hill, I am around the car in front of me before they have a chance to react (too many people like to speed up when you pass them :) ). Value... I got an amazing deal, as Georgia had the $5000 tax credit. So, my effective price was only around $17500 with all the incentives. I have had no costs at all for the car over two years (no oil changes), and with electricity so inexpensive my only significant cost is depreciation. Depreciation has been steep with gas prices so low now, but the cars depreciation will be negligible over the next 3-4 years. Most people dont realize that the true cost to a car is not its purchase price, but its depreciation and repair costs. We had a 2007 Acura TL type S and a 2003 VW Passat. The Passat actually cost us twice as much as the Acura TL due to the poor depreciation of the VW and very high repair costs. The Focus Electric has a high depreciation hit when you first buy it, but it is very low after that. Features... I love the auto start. On a hot day I start it before we get in and it is so much cooler than any of the rest of our cars. The heated seats keep me warm on the days that are 60 degrees, so I dont use the heater that much. I love the low range. I use it often in traffic, coming down hills, or going through traffic lights. It slows you down without having to use the brakes, and the power is reclaimed through regeneration. Things you have to learn how to do... Keep it charged. We have a backup car, so if we forget to charge it, it is not a big deal for us. If you dont have a backup car that could be an issue. Keep it cool. During the hot summer months, heat degrades the battery. So keep it inside or plugged in. You probably will need a level 2 charger installed.

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  Best Car Ive Ever Driven! - 2007 Ford Expedition
  By Amy Duvio - May 14 - 2:35 pm

  I love this truck! I previously leased a Toyota 4-Runner which was much smaller than this and had my mind set on the Tahoe, until my husband wanted me to test drive the Expedition and I immediately fell in love. We added the power liftgate and it has made it so easy to load and unload items. It has a lot of leg room and very comfortable seats. The seats are easy folding especially the third row seat which is powerfold and also very comfortable for adults. especially love the 2 different setting for the seats and gas pedals. I would definitly recommed the reverse sensor if you arent used to driving something this big. I will definitely buy another one in the future!