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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  Best Value Truck / SUV - 2003 Ford F-150
  By ddent01 - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Just picked up my 03 F150 SCrew. Overall very pleased with fit & finish. I consider this to be the best overall value truck/SUV on the market. Seating for six and great interior. Really like the sporty look and comfortable ride ! Just couldnt talk myself into a van. Would like to have waited for the new 04, but once I read theyre going to lifetime transmission fluid I knew the 03 was for me.

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  Awesome Truck to Keep for Years - 2001 Ford F-150
  By bcoomer - April 14 - 10:00 am

  This is a truck I will have for years to come. 4WD and offroad capabilities are outstanding on rocks and in mud. The saddle leather is awesome but needs to be cleaned with saddle leather conditioner instead of regular leather seat conditioner, which my dealership doesnt sell. Only problem has been with the ignition tumbler getting jammed. The short bed has met all my needs for a truck with the bed extender.

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  Love that Truck - 2001 Ford F-150
  By bigjeff - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I have loved owning this truck! It gives me the flexability of owing a truck with room for a couple of Children in the back and room to spare. My wife is able to handle it around town and it rides smooth on the open road.

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  Nice Features and Design - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By bcoomer - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Outstanding features and very comfortable leather seats in the XLT Premium. The small bed meets our needs with the bed extender. Great exterior look. Nice innovation to create more room for the back seat which is actually comfortable, compared to the Nissan Frontier CB. There were rumors of being "floaty", though somewhat floaty at 65mph it drives like a sports car compared with the Frontier CB, even at 30mph. Low ground clearance, but we got 2WD anyway. The electric rear window & sunroof create an awesomely nice draft!!

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  ford quality, poor - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By rstignor - April 14 - 10:00 am

  we leased a 2002 xlt in june 01. had it in the shop 7 times thru december. finally got dealership to call ford rep & auth exchange of collateral. we have now had this one since dec 01 & it has been much better than the 1st one, but i am still not happy with the quality of this suv. for a $30,000 vehicle, i thought i was getting something & then to see the resale value plumit on top of it all. i am considering a honda on the next go-round. no more fords.

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  Just got it!! - 2003 Ford Crown Victoria
  By CJin MS - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I have only had it a week and already I am enjoying this vehicle. I have driven suvs since 1996. I was a change to return to a car, but I have yet to regreat the decision to purchase the Crown Victoria.

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  Love it! - 2003 Ford Escape
  By Rai2003 - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I love my Escape! It has a peppy engine that makes driving fun. For a SUV, it gets great gas mileage. It has great cargo space, but it is not a huge SUV, so its easy to drive. Handles like a car! With all the rain and flooding lately, I have tried out the 4WD and I felt secure. It hugs the road!

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  Practical & Comfortable - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By Vince Shevlin - April 14 - 5:13 am

  Took a trip from LA to Phoenix and back one week after purchase. The car is quiet, comfortable with surprising acceleration. Got 27mpg on trip with less than 1000 miles on odometer. Still breaking it in.

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  Second Chorus Even Better - 2005 Ford Expedition
  By TAD - April 14 - 12:25 am

  We bought our first Expedition in 1997. We never had it in the shop except for routine maintenance.Thought it was time to trade for a fresh one. This one has a ride that rivals my Continental (air suspension), gas milage is 17 locally and 19 on highway trips. So many comfort and convenience features are included, I forget it is a truck - until I was off road hunting. It is comfortably at home in that environment too. I am even more pleased than I expected to be and my wife and I rush to be the one to drive it every day. Ford has really refined this vehicle.

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  Very Happy - 2006 Ford F-150
  By SSmith - April 13 - 8:46 pm

  I tested everything in the class and also a Tacoma. The only thing that came close was the Titan. The Tundra was just too feminine and the Chevy was just too plain. They havent changed the styling since at least 2001 when we bought our Tahoe, they look identical inside! The FX4 is a very sporty looking truck with great power. The "Fit and Finish" is very nice. The complete redesign from a couple years ago was very good. Only cheap feeling part of the truck is the shifter knob on the center console. Terrible fuel mileage but thats what you should expect when buying a full size 4-wheel drive vehicle. Definitely happy.