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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  poor workmanship - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By dissappointed - March 21 - 5:28 pm

  The engine has inferior parts. Most people have problem with the check engine light coming on and it will run anywhere from 500-2,000 dollars to repair this problem, depending on if your dealer knows what they are doing. Ford knows of the inferior parts and flaws but will not step up to the plate and say we messed up, lets fix it. Ford needs to step up and take responsibility for this problem.

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  second time - 2004 Ford Excursion
  By Greg in Georgetown - March 21 - 10:00 am

  This is my second excursion. I owned a 2000 limited and was very happy with it. Since I knew Ford was eliminating the Excursion I wanted a new one. The ride and handling have improved greatly. It is quieter and the additional luxury options make this a dream to drive. I would recommend getting the diesel engine if you drive a lot of miles per year. For me it is not an issue since we only put about 13,000 miles per year on the vehicle. If you have the need, I guarantee you will enjoy driving this on the highway.

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  LOVE this car - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By Kenneth Conrad - March 21 - 10:00 am

  It was either this or the Suburban. But almost all of our friends own a Suburban, and the style is ho-hum. But the Expedition is fantastic -- great bold exterior. We originally selected this car because of the independent rear suspension. Even though its still an SUV, it doesnt feel as much like a truck as the Suburban. The 5.4L is a must. The power-fold and roominess of the 3rd row are excellent. It is missing the power recline, but the memory option is great for 2 drivers. The backup alert is also a must -- already saved my wife from running over 5 people who werent smart enough to wait for her to back out. And best of all, it probably saved my marriage ;)

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  Love It! - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By sanddollar1 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I especially like the larger mirrors- handy when towing our Holiday Rambler or my boat. The 4WD with the advancetrac is surefooted on the way to the slopes, something our autoride-equipped Suburban was not. Much better interior quality than my sisters 2000 EB Expy 4X4

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  Fun for the whole family - 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Hefhay - March 21 - 10:00 am

  What a great all around vehicle. The versatility is unmatched in any other vehicle available. Good room in all seats. 4WD rips through snow and really helps on wet surfaces. Bed is great for family sized hauling (mulch, bikes, weekend get-a-way bags, etc.)

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  Nice Truck - 2004 Ford F-150
  By chris16619 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Great truck a pleasure to drive. A down sides to the design is lack of storage space for things guys like to have in a vehicle like jumper cables, tie downs, first aid kit, flash light, etc... Stoping charteristics are solid. The beef up calipers and brakes give a definite feeling of reliability for the unexpected.

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  very dissatisfied owner - 2001 Ford Focus
  By very unhappy owner - March 21 - 10:00 am

  i have had nothing but problems with the squeaky breaks since the first week of buying this car.i have had several sets of these put in. i have had to have a oxygen sensor put in and just this week have put a new battery and had my alternator redone. i wish i could say it is fixed but no,i find out now that there is a break somewhere that the fire isnt getting back and forth from the alternator to the battery. needless to say the car is now running on the battery only. so now what? help!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Cant be Beat - 2007 Ford Fusion
  By Ched - March 21 - 9:50 am

  I purchased this car after looking at the Camry, Accord, Altima, and G6. This car blows them all out of the water. You cant beat what you get out of this car. Especially considering it cost less them all its comparable counterparts. What can I say, Ford nailed it with this one.

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  A Fun to Drive and Satisfying Ride - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By Matthew - March 20 - 10:00 pm

  I have owned my Explorer for almost two years now and I absolutely love to drive it! My Explorer has the 4.6 liter V-8 and I would definitely say that it is powerful as well as useful for passing slow cars. Some of the reasons why I bought my Explorer were that I liked the plush leather interior, the two tone paint oxford white (body) and silver (trim), and the premium sound system that included a subwoofer. I am very satisfied with my Ford Explorer and would recommend it to anyone looking to buy a midsize SUV.

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  Average as Usual - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By Another Ford Owner - March 20 - 12:50 pm

  Very nice design but I learned never to purchase the first year after a remodel. Have had several things replaced that I would not expect to have replaced on a new vehicle. Dealer is so-so with their support. Would not replace the brake pads, but they replace the rotors once and resurfaced the rotors the second time. The problem was with the pads and after 25,000 miles, I replace the rotors and pads with Brembo rotors and ceramic pads. What a change. The brake dust is gone. Repaired a short in the system, front headlight seal was bad, replaced the steering wheel due to poor leather, the front seat replaced due to the wear of the leather. All in all, will trade in for a new one.