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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  5.4l Engine Head Blues - 2000 Ford Expedition
  By FordNoMore - January 1 - 4:20 pm

  Have been stranded three times in 82k miles. Once with a ghost problem with the front wheels grinding and stopping the truck while coasting. Pulled over in Nashville and of course the problem went away. Never came back. Second experience was with the transmission getting stuck in Drive and had to be towed. The linkage needed replacing. Third, at 80k, a spark plug blew out of the head. Come to find out this is a known problem at Ford since they engineered and sell a repair kit to add a coil to allow the plug to be reinstalled. Kit only works if minimal head material gets blown out. My problem took too much material so head needs replacing. Dont just do one head because the other has the same flaw.

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  So far so good - 2000 Ford Focus
  By Skreppy - January 1 - 10:00 am

  I was a little sceptical about owning the 2000 Ford Focus SE (5spd Dohc), a debute car, but so far it has proved me wrong. Aside from the pesky recalls and affordable maintenance the car has been a very practical and fun ride.

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  #1 Compact car in the USA, period. - 2000 Ford Focus
  By E. Cory - January 1 - 10:00 am

  I all around enjoy this vehicle. I dont think that after owning this car I will be able to drive anything else like it (cavalier, neon, civic) because the road handling is THAT GOOD. Engine is peppy when it is needed and the car reinforces that feeling with a good sound. It could use some more pep, but Ford fixed that with the 2003/4 PZEV engine. I am truely extatic with this car (purchased used last July for $10.5k). Go to a Ford dealership, test drive the car and take it on a hilly and curvy road and you too will understand why this car is so much fun to drive!

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  Bos Review - 2001 Ford F-150
  By Bo Jangle - January 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck for the price and reliability. I sure havent had any regrets. The gas mileage is, on average, 20mpg. The paint, integrity, hardware, and engine all have held up to their fullest. I definitely would recommend this truck to a friend or family member. I currently have 45000 miles on my truck and it is still going strong as the day I bought it.

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  Explorer sport - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport
  By bmtaurus - January 1 - 10:00 am

  I liked my explorer a lot when I first bought it. However, that began to change over time. The truck inside and outside is great. It looks nice and feels even better when youre sitting inside. The problem comes when you actually have to drive it. Hold on because it is a very bumpy ride. You feel every little obstruction in the road and it gets magnified so a little bump feels like youre driving off a cliff. I still like my explorer now but just not as much as I used to.

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  perfect car - 2003 Ford Focus
  By joephatmamma - January 1 - 10:00 am

  this car is so much fun to drive, i am 16 and of course i love to race, i have raced some bad ass cars out there and one. the ford focus is completely underestimated

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  This thing is a monster! - 2003 Ford Mustang
  By JimmyJohns - January 1 - 9:07 am

  A true beast of a car! With V8 power flowing through dual Flowmasters this is the best sounding and looking car in town! With a top speed thatS too scary to even test (160+) and take off that will just about set you in the trunk, This car is fun to drive and very fun to own. The Mach 1000 sound system is one of the best I ever heard with a six disc in-dash CD changer and 4 watt amps mounted in the trunk. Go test drive this car, its so much fun you will laugh out loud, I did!

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  So Far So Good - 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By Kirk S. - December 31 - 11:30 pm

  I have had my Fusion Hybrid almost a week. So far I really love the car. I loved it the first time I drove it That is a big deal for me. The car is equipped the way I like it, with all the factory options. I only wish the car had HID headlights & keyless start. I question the need for the keypad on the door when you have to use a key to start the car anyway. The car goes pretty good for being a hybrid. The transition for gas to electric is seamless. The CVT trayy works very wekk too. This car just works and I am averaging 43 MPG so far. I lve the inof the car give you at the end of your trip about how much gas you used. Very thoughful. Ala in all I am very happy so far.

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  Top over quality - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Gary - December 31 - 5:16 pm

  Find that the preformance and response could be improved. I found that overall the Escape was reliable and easy to handle on long trips, however I was a bit disappointed with the gas economy and the under sized gas tank required frequent fill ups. The Ford Escape was able to stay with other autos on the highway. I also noticed some road noise that could be a bit distracting I also discovered the rear wiper does not always clean the rear window in cold weather but streaks leaving gaps in the window uncleaned.

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  Very Good Truck - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By Leroy - December 31 - 12:37 pm

  I have owned this truck for a year now. It has been very dependable and I have not had to have any major repairs done. My truck is a swb regular cab, 2WD, but has a V-6 with a 5-speed manual transmission. One of the best trucks I have ever owned. Good gas mileage. Very comfortable interior, but a little cramped. Fun to drive.