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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  great so far....just got it a month ago - 2005 Ford Escape
  By lotekgirl - December 14 - 12:59 pm

  I just traded in my 01 Intrepid for this 05 Escape. So far my husband and I are very pleased with it. This vehicle is great if you are looking to step up to your first SUV from a car. The Escape is very responsive it drives and handles great. I agree with other reviewers about filling the gas tank: it is annoying because you cant just put the nozzle in, lock it in place and walk away. It always clicks off a few seconds later so I have to stand there and hold it, which I never had to do with my car. The gas mileage on the v6 isnt that great. Im constantly filling my gas tank (city driving about 90% of the time). the ignition could have been more well placed (odd spot, have to search).

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  Great concept, poor execution! - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By MA - December 13 - 9:46 pm

  I was delighted to see Ford come up with a car that is roomy, comfortable and versatile. The first day of delivery I spotted 4 defects, 3 trims and 1 paint. The first year, I noticed that the climate control is performing erratically then the front brakes had to be replaced because the hardware fell off! Also, the instrument panel blistered from the sun. The second year, the rear doors weather stripping fell off, both sides. The front doors dont lock below 20 deg F (recall) and the starter mechanism started acting up. Also, the front drive bearings are noisy. As they say, never buy a first year car. Wait until they work the bugs out!

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  As good as you could get - 1997 Ford Expedition
  By Jerry - December 13 - 7:56 pm

  Couldnt ask for more. Purchased in 1997 and felt like it helped raise the kids. The vehicle had heavy use. I used it plenty in 4 wheel drive in the snow in New Mexico. I pulled a boat for tens of thousands of miles in Texas and Oklahoma. I hauled kids daily and recently took to long distance weekly travel. It only failed to take me to my destination one time over 12.5 years and that was after it had 200,000 miles (the alternator failed.) At the risk of mixing metaphors, the truck ran "like a rock". Over 200k miles and major repairs were rare and related to "wear and tear" items - front-end, shocks, compressor. Going on 204,000 miles

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  FALLING APART - 2008 Ford Escape
  By FALLING APART - December 13 - 7:33 pm

  I purchased this car with 14000 miles on it. It had been a dealer demo. Great fun car to drive, cruises right along but.... now at 29000 miles the power steering pump is going out, the upholstery looks like kids have been in having a picnic ( I have no children) in the car, paint on the rear bumper is spidering, and there are ignition problems, I was told the tumblers were bad. Fading dome light works intermittently, wont come out of park, ignition wont accept the key almost leaving you stranded. Rubber seals on the doors fall off in the winter. Now the back window on the hatch has decided to open a random. The back seat wont stay latched so you cant have rear seat passengers safely. yuk

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  windsheild glare - 2007 Ford Edge
  By jason - December 13 - 7:53 am

  I did not buy this car my wife did before I met her. I like the edge alot it is a roomy fun to drive crossover the gas could be better and my main complaint is while driving sometimes the glare from the front wind shield is really bad it seems like ford didnt really test it all that well before production. I have thought of buying a dash mat to cut the glare. I can deal with the not so great mpg we dont drive a real lot.

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  Focus owner - 2003 Ford Focus
  By dreed - December 12 - 1:47 am

  I bought this affordable car brand new and put 86k miles on it. It really is a great, efficient vehicle but I started encountering problems around 60k. miles. Great car but not extremely reliable after 80k miles.

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  So close - 2010 Ford Taurus
  By Road Warrior - December 11 - 11:27 pm

  59K miles on a‘08, 1000 miles on my ’10 this week. ‘10 Taurus is structurally a ‘08 with lipstick. ‘08Taurus was commodious. 63" & I was comfortable in rear of the 08, no way in the ‘10. The Fusion only has one inch less rear leg room than the new Taurus! Ford chopped the roof for zoom zoom” design. Small outside mirrors and large headrests create a bad visibility problem. Outward vision is akin to a machine gun bunker. If we cut you off on the highway it’s not intentional we just can’t see you. The old Taurus had lots of storage for CDs, GPS, chargers, PC power supply, snacks, etc. Not the ‘10. Why delete the overhead sunglass receptacle?! Nice car, could have been great.

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  2009 Ford Fusion SEL v6 - 2009 Ford Fusion
  By J - December 11 - 1:16 pm

  First off I love this car! The leather interior is very comfortable and soft. Seat warmers work great and the radio control with and without the sync system are easy to use. The ride of the car is fantastic. Its powerful yet nice and quiet on the inside. The engine can run a bit high on start up so allow some time for the car to warm up and settle down a bit. Gas mileage is ok, but I honestly expected a little more out of the car. The only bad thing I can say about this car is the 18" wheels. The wheels are extremely soft and trust me I have dented them already and not on a memorable pot hole either. The Goodyear tires have a soft sidewall and bubble pretty easily.

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  98 Ranger XLT 2.5L 5 spd - 1998 Ford Ranger
  By M.E. Meyers - December 10 - 4:49 pm

  Bought truck new in 1998 for $10k. It has been - by far- the best vehicle I have ever owned. Extremely reliable. Power is adequate with the 5spd manual and fuel economy is never below 23 mpg and can be 28 with care. Light rear end means no traction in wet/snow. But it does great donuts in the snow!! A/C still blows cold after 11 years and my original clutch still feels fine with 180k miles. Considering what I paid, I cannot ask for anything more. Great little truck. Last of the "light weights" Its peers have grown to be bloated and thirsty - hope that does not happen to the next-gen Ranger, but it probably will

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  Ford Tough - 1996 Ford F-150
  By Darrell - December 10 - 2:31 pm

  Bought this truck with 100,011 miles on it. It now has 254,433 miles on it and all i have had to do is replace the battery, torque converter, alternator, shifter inner guts and thats it. Still runs like new, uses no oil, leaks nothing. Not so fond of fuel mileage but hey its a 96 model. Looks like new when cleaned up. Drives better than my sons 05 Dodge ram. I will drive it until the wheels fall off, and even then may put them back on and keep driving it.