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:
Showing 1621 through 1630 of 30,482.00-
The 2010 Ford Edge - 2010 Ford Edge
By Bullneck852 - June 18 - 9:04 amI previously owned a Nissan Murano and I loved that car except for the CTV transmission. I purchased my new Edge after seriously considering and testing the Toyotas, Mercedes, and GMC Acadia. I have loved the Edge except for the Transmission shifting and performing in traffic. You have to stomp it to the floor to get it to down shift in traffic. I also seems to wonder in and out of gears at highway speeds. I love all other features and unlike others I like the interior and overall looks. The Ford Sync is very nice and the car rides very nice. Be sure to get the 20" tires for ride. I drove Fords over 20 years ago and didnt like the transmission then. No little has changed.
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Im Impressed. - 2010 Ford Focus
By Island Hopper - June 18 - 1:22 amWe needed a 3rd car for business & it had to be under 15 long. Test drove at least 11 cars, foreign & domestic. The Focus was by far the best & most car for the bucks. A $2,500 rebate didnt hurt either. My other cars are a Challenger SRT & a Chrysler 300C, so I wasnt expecting too much from this little Focus. But I gotta tell ya Im impressed. This car is really solid, giving you a feeling of driving a much more substantial car & it handles surprisingly well. Its used mostly in town & is getting an all around 26 mpg. Im sure it would do 35 mpg at a steady highway speed. The engine handles the load, but a 6 speed auto would greatly improve its performance.
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Love My Mustang - 2009 Ford Mustang
By Dennis - June 17 - 10:42 pmJust bought the car in March of this year and it was a NEW 2009 left over vehicle and got a great deal. I was so impressed with the overall car and how fun it is to drive and it is a real road machine! It handles great and is just a kick to be in. The seats are super comfortable and I rate this car a 10.
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Unfairly maligned? - 2010 Ford Escape
By brikwil - June 17 - 10:28 pmI have owned 2 Explorers and now this Escape, and I simply dont understand any complaints about rear seat comfort. In particular, these vehicles have rear seats that are designed to create CARGO areas when they are not in use as seats. As such, I appreciate the fact that they dont recline or move fore/aft, etc. When I fold them flat, I want them to "disappear" and become cargo space, and thats exactly what they do. If my main purpose were to haul people around in my back seats, then I would buy a different vehicle, not an SUV. In the Equinox, the back seats fold down to an angle and do not create a sturdy, flat CARGO surface. Thats not my idea of a "sport UTILITY vehicle."
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Most dependable car Ive ever owned - 1998 Ford Explorer
By Mark - June 16 - 2:43 pmI will keep this short. I have owned this vehicle since 1999 with about 20K miles on it. It now has 225K miles on it. Other than common perishable parts like tires and brakes, I have had to replace the 02 sensor, the alternator, the exhaust (because it rusted through the cats), and the gas filler fuel neck (because I broke it getting too rough with the gas hose). Most all of these went near the 200K mile mark. That is IT. You wanna talk about a reliable vehicle worth the money? I either got a really good one, or Ford built these right.
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My dream convertible at last! - 2007 Ford Mustang
By Neal - June 16 - 10:09 amBought this for a steal as Ford was trying to get rid of all the 2007s for the 2008s, MSRP 36k and bought it for 27k. I have been VERY happy with it from day one. Not a single issue with the vehicle itself. The Tires did wear out VERY quickly at about 20k miles but I replaced them with some high quality aquatreads from Discount Tire. Awesome Shaker 1000 sound system, SO much fun to drive, just wish the kids & wife would let me keep the top down more! Of note, I average 23 MPG on the computer in the car. I live in a rural area so most of my driving is 70- 75 mph on back roads and in town I keep it in 5th gear when going 35-40 mph. love my stick shift!
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What a deal! - 2011 Ford Mustang
By Dan - June 15 - 5:43 pmThis is the second Mustang I have owned but the first one was about 20 years ago. The car is as good as every review had written land more. I actually got stopped by the police in rural Wisconsin to check on the missing license permit which was in the front window as the car is a CV. What they really wanted to do is ask questions about the vehicle which they did.
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7.3 l 4 dr. Crew shortbed - 1996 Ford F-250
By lakeman88 - June 15 - 5:04 pmThis truck has 240,000 miles, I change oil every 3000 mi. Had to replace 4 wheel drive system (auto) with warn hubs, this is a must, and a transmission at 70k. Placed seat covers, interior is 95% like new, dry Ariz climate, no rust, garaged its entire life. I receive offers at intersections to purchase at 12,000 dollars! I would not part with this truck, and when engine goes away, at what I estimate about 400k, I will place a crated 7.3 for approx 6, k, as a replacement truck is well over 38k, and give it to my son. Ive pulled my 4000 lb. Boat up and down the mountains, pass other pickups without a trailer in tow. Its a bulldog of reliability. I love it. Lakeman88. Tucson az
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Like it a lot! - 2008 Ford Edge
By tt - June 15 - 3:00 pmAfter driving & owning 3 New Explorers (which I really like) I traded my last Explorer in on a new Escape. BIG mistake, did not like the Escape as it was too small and had cheaply made interior, traded it in after owning it 2 years onto an EDGE SEL AWD, am very happy with it. Gets about the same gas mileage as the Escape but rides SO much nicer.
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I love it! - 2010 Ford Edge
By Kathy - June 15 - 12:29 pmI cant say enough good things about my new Edge. My trade was a 2005 Durango I bought new 5 years ago. The Edge is greatly superior. Test drove the Terrain and it is crap compared to the Edge. I love it, love it, love it! I drive more than 800 miles a week and am glad to have made this purchase. With all of the cash incentives this was a no brainer :)
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