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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  solid suv - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By dannylv - January 3 - 10:00 am

  after about a year of researching used mid-sized suv trucks i decided on the explorer and i couldnt be happier. it has everything we need, having a newborn and a 6 year old, with the optional 3rd row seat and 2nd and 3rd row air. the 210 hp engine provides plenty of power and doesnt lag even with the a/c pumping full blast out here in the desert heat.

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  WHAT A SURPRISE - 2004 Ford Focus
  By SEARAYMAN - January 3 - 10:00 am

  I have not owned a compact car in 25 years because I like performance and a little more comfort. I recently rented a Ford Focus and was really impressed. So impressed that I visited a Ford dealer and drove a ZX5. It was even better than the low end rental car. I bought it that day. The acceleration, comfort, smoothness , quiet ride and features were a genuine surprise. It is also fun to drive. Its more like a little sports car than a compact sedan. It has more features than expected for the price.

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  1992 LX 5.0 HO - 1992 Ford Thunderbird
  By SCOTTY - January 3 - 6:44 am

  I am the 2nd owner of this car,and I am very happy with it. It had 306,000 miles on it when I bought it now has 348,000 miles, and can still roast the tires. I have had no major problems with this car. Still rides smooth. I put in a blue oval chip [computer] and a larger MAF, and the car accelerates even better. I plan on keeping this car for as long as I can. And I get 18-22 in city, 25-30 hwy, depending how much pedal I put into it. I plan on a few more upgrades for this car. I cant believe the mileage on this car and the way it runs. I almost believe I can double the mileage [if I live that long]. The original owner had all the maintenance done on time. I am keeping up the tradition.

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  Ford, is it the best in Texas? - 2005 Ford F-150
  By kevin cosby - January 2 - 4:43 pm

  I believe Ford has come a long way in the re-engineering department. I love the quiet ride. I own a 2002 Ford Explorer also, and the new F150 is a much quieter ride. I do believe they all need running bars for short people.This should be standard on all of the Ford pickups. As always there is still room for improvement.

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  Poor durability of door weather strip. - 2006 Ford Freestyle
  By Gallen - January 2 - 4:07 pm

  Since buying my Freestyle in June 06, I am now taking it in to have the door weather stripping replaced on the passenger side for the second time. I bought this vehicle to accommodate my three kids. They get in and out of the passenger side daily. It has been two months since the first replacement of the weather stripping. Now were back again. The stripping cracks and then pulls away from the frame. If this vehicle is supposed to be durable for kids, Ford needs to go back to the drawing board to address this issue.

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  2006 Premium GT - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By David Denson - January 2 - 2:26 pm

  This redesigned Mustang is the most enjoyable car Ive ever driven. It is responsive and handles very well while providing a much improved ride. A joy to own and drive.

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  2004 Ford F-150 - 2004 Ford F-150
  By jmartinez - January 2 - 9:07 am

  The only bad problem I have had is a light lagging at 20 mph in the transmission when changing gears. Ford says it is normal and I have talked to other F-150 owners and they have had the same problem.

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  Finally got one right - 2007 Ford Edge
  By pudley - January 2 - 12:56 am

  We drove the Murano before deciding on the Egde. Murano CVT simply could not decide what to do with itself - very annoying. The Edge does everything very well and it is screwed together like nothing else we drove. Good vision, comfortable for driver and passengers, fully featured and it gets a lot of admiring looks. Maybe there is hope for the American car industry after all.

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  GreatCar - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By Fordfan - January 1 - 11:14 pm

  One of the best vehicles Ive ever owned. Very reliable, only two failures in 95,000 miles the radio display and a $100 EGR part.

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  Slick, quick, and legit - 2017 Ford Explorer
  By mminitti - January 1 - 10:01 pm

  This SUV has it all. A punchy V6 that acts quickly and behaves as billed. It is fast and responsive! The torque is great. Its MPG is a bit underwhelming, but what it lacks in efficiency, it makes up in performance and agility. Ive never been disappointed in the engines performance when I have needed it. The ride is amazing as well. There is virtually no cabin noise, even at speed in excess of 70 mph on the highway. Parking this beast is a bit tedious. It does feel larger than it actually is, but the external sensors and radar gadgets make parking and maneuvering easy over time. The comfort and luxury of the cabin rivals that of much higher end SUVs. This cabin has it all; heating, cooling, massage, dual zone, memory seating, etc... The ride and driving experience is great. One big downer.. SYNC 3. It still misses on seamless integration and reliable operation. It seems clunky and at times, unresponsive. It also seems to affect the quick response of the vehicles radar sensors. Its not horrible, but it is an annoyance. All in all, this SUV is insane! Our family cannot be more happy with it.