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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  2003 bought brand new - 2003 Ford Thunderbird
  By irv silverman - September 16 - 5:10 pm

  Well this is a nice vehicle. I watched the car for a couple of years before purchasing a brand new one. And there is one interesting thing about the vehicle. It has a winter hardtop salon type roof with the opera windows. You store this on a rack/gurney. When we removed the top to go to convertible status in late May, 2004 the paint all around the trunk where the top meets the roof very easily lifted up. Had to repaint. So heres Fords 21st century fix. They send you a kit with plastic strips. You place it down along the outer reaches of the rear deck and than you place the top back on. Just not engineered well.

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  I love my FLEX - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Leisel24 - September 16 - 12:36 pm

  I love it I needed something bigger than our fusion, Our fusion was good for our family just starting out but with us wanting more kids it doesent work for more than two kids. Our FLEX can hold the hole family and keep the kids apart so no fighting on long road trips. we can take one car with our friends instead of everyone taking separate cars. If we need to haul anything we put all the seats down and can haul almost anything.(a good selling point for my husband) I dident want to be the soccer mom with the mini van and bumper stickers all over the back. its just not me.I dident want a huge SUV that I couldent park. Im 25 I want something young stylish and fun, but practical. The FLEX isit

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  My wheels. - 1996 Ford Contour
  By Marqui16 - September 16 - 2:06 am

  My Contour now has 198,000 miles on it. I bought it used with about 34,000 miles(mostly highway) and have owned it for 7 years now. I changed the transmission once, the alternator once, several belt changes, headlight problems, and several other minor changes, but never any engine problems. It is still a fun car to drive but since it was my first car I am ready to move on to foreign cars (less maintenance).

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  ford done good - 2001 Ford Mustang
  By Jim in Mass - September 15 - 8:06 pm

  I like this car, I commute over an hour each way to work and its comfortable without being boring.

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  What a great SUV! - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By Best Car Ive owned - September 15 - 6:56 pm

  This is by far the best SUV I have owned. I am so in love with the way it drives, the fact that I dont feel like I am going to get blown off the road due to it being "too light" and the room for my children is great! My husband is 64" and he has plenty of room in any seat.

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  Hate to admit its this good... - 1994 Ford Ranger
  By Convert - September 15 - 4:05 pm

  Ive owned and been around full size GM trucks for a long time - a true Chevy guy. But I needed a truck (1st house rehab) recently, and couldnt afford a new one. A friend of mine offered me his old 1994 Ranger with 150K on it for cheap money, so I figured "why not?". Well, Im glad I did! This comfortable little truck (2wd Extended Cab 4.0 5-speed) runs beautifully, is great on gas (20/24), has no problem hauling whatever I need, and has no rust after 150K of Rhode Island winters (road salt galore). It does need an Idle Air Valve, and it probably needs a new A/C compressor, but it has been good to its previous (original) owner, and its forced me to change my opinion of Ford.

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  Smart Choice - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By Peavy - September 15 - 10:00 am

  After test driving several Japanese and even German SUVs, I bought my Explorer and never looked back. The styling is beautiful, the ride exceptional and the quality better than I could have hoped for on any SUV. I would, and have, recommend this vehicle to anyone wanting a SUV.

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  Great Vehicle - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By annsabelle - September 15 - 10:00 am

  I had a 2003 Chevy Tahoe and traded for the Ford Expedition. There is no comparison. The Expedition has better features, examples: touch pad entry on drivers door, 3rd row seat fold flat, you dont have to remove it, the middle seats recline, access to 3rd row from both sides, more leg room in rear seats, 3rd row has just as much leg room as the 2nd row, even an adult can sit in the 3rd row without feeling cramped. The Ford Expedition has better braking ability than the Chevy Tahoe. All in all, I think the Expedition is a better choice than the Chevy Tahoe.

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  Police Car in Sheeps Clothing - 2004 Ford Crown Victoria
  By Green52 - September 15 - 10:00 am

  Nice sporty full sized automobile. Love the center console with shifter and the responsive V8 engine. Steering is very responsive with the big 17" tires and wheels. Have noticed that the car begins to get light and floaty in the front end at around 100 MPH. 100 MPH happens with very little effort.

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  Best SUV for the money! - 2005 Ford Expedition
  By Frank Leeper - September 15 - 9:24 am

  We live in Doha, Qatar and needed a large SUV for the wife to drive our two kids and a dog around town and the occasional trip to the desert (and feel safe in verses the very aggressive driving styles encountered here!). After looking at a number of domestic US (Suburban, Durango) and non-US (Nissan, Toyota) SUVs, the Expedition by far offered the greatest value for the money. We love the strong A/C system and room and could not believe you can buy this much SUV for so little money.