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 Vehicle - 2002 Ford Escape
  By JC - December 5 - 9:27 pm

  This is really great SUV. My mom has 2002 Ford Escape that already has over 273,000 miles. Her friend drove a lot for work and vacation. Then she brought it from her friend because they got new car. We take a good care of this vehicle and thanks god its working very good. We rode/drove it A LOT. Ford Escape goes very well on winter, I remember we made it on the hill with 2WD which is awesome. This SUV is better gas than Jeep and Chevy blazer. Her vehicle is a little bit bad shape now but as long its run like reliable and were keeping until the car break down but this SUV never die.

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  Ford Escape Hybrid - 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Steven - December 5 - 1:46 pm

  Car is a little less than advertised. Mileage is only in the 29-30 range. Comfort is the same as Mustang in the earliest years; I owned one. Quality is the same. As the car ages in months, the windows sag, the dealer will not return calls for repairs even within the warranty period. Compared to Toyota, U.S. needs help.

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  Good car, some improvements needed. - 2017 Ford Explorer
  By Od723 - December 5 - 11:47 am

  I have only owned this car a few weeks. It drives very nice, very much like a car. It has a bold look on the exterior which I like. The seats are very comfortable. The negatives are the rear seats, very hard to fold seats, takes a good hard yank and the rear seat is hard to access. The remote to start the car and unlock doors is very sensitive. I wish they would recess the panic button, it goes off very easy when Im my pocket and my horn starts going crazy. I had a GMC Sierra 5.3 V8 crew cab truck before this car, My GMC averaged better gas mileage than the V6 in the explorer.

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  2002 FORD Focus Wagon - 2002 Ford Focus
  By REDRANGER55418 - December 4 - 10:00 am

  Car handles really well. Sometimes the speed gets away from you when you are trying to merge onto the freeway.

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  a little disappointed - 2003 Ford Escape
  By MarkfromLA - December 4 - 10:00 am

  The first week I had to return it because the radiator had a hole in it from the factory. Nine months later, at 12,000 miles, a wheel bearing went out. A little later, someone ran a redlight and wrecked the vehicle. It took 3 weeks to fix because Ford was VERY slow in getting replacement parts to the body shop. This vehicle has cost me a huge loss of time because of problems Ford could easily solve. Based on my experience with this vehicle, I wont buy another Ford.

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  2013 Escape Titanium - Tops competition - 2013 Ford Escape
  By raghureddy2013 - December 3 - 11:30 pm

  * Overall recommended buy * Driven 5,000Kms mostly on highway ( 3500Kms) * Escape 2013 - Made for this decade. * Fully functional Tech. - Rivals Luxury Models * Chinks will be corrected with factory recalls * This shouldnt stop you from buying * Smoothest power delivery and handling in class * Great safety features * An American car with European heart * Small, Quick & Very Functional * 19 inch wheels has its advantages & dis-advantages

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  My tank kept me safe - 2006 Ford Expedition
  By Dawn - December 3 - 2:16 pm

  I am on my second Expedition (first was a 2000 with 144,000 miles on it) and couldnt be happier with it. I was recently in an accident in it. I was going 60 in the slow lane of a 4 lane freeway in San Diego. I hydroplaned in the rain and lost control spinning from the slow lane and hit the center divide going 60 mph. I walked away with whiplash and my car has $13,654 in damages HOWEVER there is NO structural damage whatsoever. The bulk of the expenses is body work, paint, and I really did a number on the front suspension. Anyways, I am so glad my car kept me safe and is so structurally sound that it was not totaled. Now I have to wait about 4 weeks to get it back.

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  Euro Van for the 2010s - 2010 Ford Transit Connect
  By BW - December 3 - 6:13 am

  I was wanting a Transit Connect since Debut. Ford does plenty of commercial business with these and as of now the dealer discounts to consumers are not huge. The different Window configurations intrigued me, but I chose windows and Silver Metallic, because I think upwards of 75 percent of the cargo vans are white. Windows are a good thing in todays busy driving world but for those who opt windowless the customizing options inside are even more endless. The extras in the XLT do not grab me and the CD radio is still half garbage, so I went with an XL and up fitting the van to taste. A Better aftermarket Stereo is mandatory. Alloy wheels merit consideration; basic steel wheels come on all.

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  its growing on me - 2007 Ford Focus
  By jarrod - December 3 - 12:40 am

  As far as driving goes, its kinda "spunky". Im getting over my loss on a nice 95 Mustang GT. But, this little car has surprised me. Its a base model 5-speed. So far the only thing Im complaining about is a slight engine tapping/knocking. Which Im still yet to get checked out. But overall, she looks very promising for future modifications.

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  1999 Ford Explorer - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By nazechad_3050 - December 2 - 12:22 pm

  Bought it in May with 120,000 miles on it. Drives great. Love the truck. Had three small problems with it and one huge one. The rear wiper has stopped working, the drivers door handle broke off, and the drivers lock keeps getting stuck. The huge problem was at 130,000 miles the transmission started to go. Wouldnt shift into 3rd gear smoothly anymore. Currently replacing the Transmission as I type this. Even with these problems i love the truck. does everything i ask it to do.