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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  Best Used SUV Deal, PERIOD! - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By Iowaexplorer - October 30 - 9:54 pm

  Best vehicle I have ever owned. This is a $40,000 dollar truck out of the factory, and I picked it up for tiny fractions of that. My Explorer has more features than anyone could ever need, and the powertrain has been rock solid. Ford may not be on par with some of the imports, but I get twice the amenities for half the price. I recommend the 4.0 SOHC if you are not using the car for consistent towing. The 4.0 has 210 hp, and unfortunately the 5.0 only has 215, and you pay for it in poor mpg. At 70 mph, I consistently get 20+ mpg on the highway. Mach stereo is powerful and crystal clear. Never a single reliability issue.

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  The Best By Far! - 2001 Ford Excursion
  By mike - October 30 - 8:33 pm

  Were a growing family family of 5. We wanted safety, plenty of space, towing capabilities, and a touch of luxury. We love our 2001 7.3 turbo diesel Limited Edition. We have peace of mind knowing that our family would be well protected in an accident. The excursion is very roomy and accommodates our family well, including our Great Dane. Towing a 16x7.5 enclosed trailer with ATVs inside is no problem for this SUV. It rides and drives great! The turbo makes it respond quick and not sluggish. Wed highly recommend the turbo diesel. We get about 17-18 mpg around town and about 22 mpg on the interstate. Finally, the tow package, back up sensors, and leather interior beats our old Tahoe hands down.

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  nice car - 2012 Ford Focus
  By becheurh@yahoo.com - October 30 - 3:11 pm

  Nothing wrong .I hade 64000 miles on it

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  2000 XLT Ranger Is Very Reliable - 2000 Ford Ranger
  By Julie G. - October 30 - 10:47 am

  I drive an average of 45,000 miles per year in my 2000 XLT 2WD Extended Cab Ford Ranger. This truck has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. Regular maintenance and service is all that I have invested in this truck and my Ford Ranger just keeps rambling right along. XLT with all power package makes everything easy to use. Good stereo too. I would certainly recommend a new Ford Ranger to any one looking for a comfortable and durable ride that can put in a good days work and still clean up nice too. A perfect light truck!

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  Its a nice vehicle, But... - 2008 Ford Taurus X
  By A toss up... - October 30 - 2:56 am

  I currently have one for a company vehicle. Almost 70,000 in 2 years. Vehicle has plenty of power to pull out on busy streets, interior is nicely laid out,(I have auto climate control). No SYNC on earlier model. Decent fuel economy for such a larger vehicle. Styling is nice, even after 70000 miles, its still nice to look at. Fiew issues: CHECK YOUR HOOD! Corrosion on the hoods is a MAJOR issue. I have seen over half with corrosion issues. OEM tires are Terrible! I am currently on my third set, went with GoodYear Integrity tires now. Better ride, better wear. Poor manufacturing standards; Doors dont exactly line up, hood offset, etc. Front brakes wear prematurely.

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  Happy with my STX - 2004 Ford F-150
  By STX in North Dakota - October 29 - 1:43 pm

  GM owner all my life. Had a VW Jetta before this truck. In the shop more than a 3rd of the time I owned it. I now have this truck and a GMC Sierra SLT. I would say that between both of the trucks I would rather drive the Ford. More comfortable inside with STX package than GMC with leather and all the goodies. I would rather tow with the GMC, way more power. Both get equal MPG when not towing. Styling is better on the Ford. For an extended cab the Ford has more room for my sons car seat in the back. The 4.6 motor is definitely underpowered for serious hauling but works great for commuting and hunting/fishing. Pulls a small boat/camper with no problem. Would not tow more than that.

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  great vacation auto - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By vanwyk5 - October 29 - 1:10 pm

  We just completed a family vacation with our new 500 - what a great car! We averaged 28.5 mpg and the kids (3) were comfortable considering we were in the car for 38 hours. The seats were very comfortable; I drove for eleven hours one day and did not have any aches and pains. We had three large suit cases and a full size cooler in the trunk and room to spare. The only complaint was driving in the mountains - the lack of lower gears was a problem because I was riding the brakes a lot. Otherwise this would make an excellent replacement for a minivan.

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  Ford fun for family - 2007 Ford Edge
  By Tammie - October 29 - 11:53 am

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  Thanks Ford! - 2010 Ford Fusion
  By Darin - October 29 - 11:20 am

  When we set-out to replace my reliable old Camry (170,000 mi), our first thought was an Accord since we already own and love our Honda Odyssey van. After a number of test drives (Accord, Subaru and Ford), we just couldnt get over how much we liked the Fusion. The car has been so well thought-out from the ground-up, that there is no question why it secured the MT COTY award for 2010! After 3 Hondas and 2 Toyotas, were sold on the Fusion. Hoping for years of reliable service (the true test).

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  Small, but cost effective - 2012 Ford Transit Connect
  By endeavine - October 29 - 1:47 am

  I was surprised to see the scathing reviews for the ford transit connect. My experiences were quite different from those mentioned before. I am a subcontractor with dish, and so far, I have nothing to complain about! On average, I get 25 miles to the gallon fully loaded (and I mean LOADED) with some very heavy equipment. This saves me $10,000 on gas a year versus most other chevy express vans in my fleet. Yes, it may not be the best to drive or accelerate, but if youve bought a work van for comfort or acceleration, you might want to pick a desk job instead. Overall, great little reliable and efficient van, as long as you dont overload it of course. Going strong at 95,000 miles.