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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  Cobras Rock - 2001 Ford Mustang
  By codeninja - October 13 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Awesome ride. Sure wish the tires would last longer though!

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  20 inches on my midnight package - 2002 Ford Escape
  By Chris Atterberry - October 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought the midnight packege esape. Which is the black on black w/leather. FORD has crazy rates and rebates so affording this bad boy was easy. 0% for 60 months. Anyways I love the room size and fuel economy!! When i have 100k on it with the great market on the ecsape im looking to sell it for 8k! So look me u!

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  Escape Review - 2003 Ford Escape
  By jxk123 - October 13 - 2:00 am

  Best Car I ever leased. I could not be happier. I read other peoples reviews and test drove the escape. It rides even better then I thought it would.

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  Best of the best - 2003 Ford Ranger
  By David Page - October 13 - 2:00 am

  Great truck I love the way it looks and drives

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  Texas Ranger - 2006 Ford Ranger
  By smithdallas3 - October 12 - 11:16 pm

  Great truck for the price. Plenty of power and reasonably well built for the price.

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  Better than a Honda or a Toyota! - 2000 Ford Taurus
  By Andy - October 12 - 7:43 pm

  Okay, if you are looking for a great affordable car this is the one. My wife and I traded in her Element (after numerous problems) for the Taurus and I cannot pry her hands away from the keys. We go everywhere with the Taurus and have never had one issue with it. Right now we have 59K on it and it runs like it rolled off the showroom floor. To compare my in-laws have a 2000 Honda Accord with the same mileage that has had to have the water pump replaced twice and was leaking oil at the seals. And who would want a Camry with the sludge and seizing engine problems that were an issue for 1996-2002?!?! If you are looking for a safe and reliable vehicle look no further!

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  XL E series - 2005 Ford Econoline Wagon
  By scott1973 - October 12 - 6:30 pm

  Big comfortable seats, decent driving position despite engine cover. This thing is big though and I think carefuly where I park it. Scary to drive on icy roads especially if windy. 10,000 miles no problems so far.

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  most expensive scrap metal - 2015 Ford Mustang
  By pete zorria - October 12 - 3:38 am

  Paint not covered by warranty. Homelink does not work Windows do not open. Remote start does not work track apps do not work climate control does not work Has only 400 miles on it and loses $10,000 in value after one month of ownership. terrible piece of junk.

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  One super wagon - 2004 Ford Taurus
  By John Schroeder - October 11 - 6:53 pm

  I bought this certified program car 10 months after manufacture with 8,750 miles for $7,300 less than the Ford dealer paid for it. After 4,600 miles & 3 trips it has run perfectly with not even one little defect & no rattles. It averages about 20 mpg overall even with the super AC & a lot of idling. Very practical for me with all that cargo space, roof rack & 5 cup holders! I see nothing on the road I would trade it for, even though the basic design dates back to the 1996 model year. They sure got it perfected for 2004, & its a shame its being discontinued. May be a classic like the 1971 Torino wagon I bought in 1981 & sold for 33% more to buy this one. However,the Torino had a larger 4x8 cargo space.

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  I love my car, but not the windshield - 2007 Ford Fusion
  By Jenny Stanley - October 11 - 5:56 pm

  I love my new Ford Fusion. I get compliments on it all the time. It rides way smoother than my Mothers Chevy Impala and it is quieter too. I love the 6 disk in-dash CD player. The gas mileage could be improved a lot. I am only getting 25mpg on the highway right now. The biggest problem I have with it is my windshield. I have had my car a month and a half and I am going on my 3rd windshield. The first one splintered the 2nd week I had my car. The second one, within two days of getting it fixed it had splinters twice from small rocks hitting it. I am a highway driver so I expect rocks to do damage. But I have never had a windshield break this easily this often. Its expensive and ridiculous.