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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  ALL American Truck - 2009 Ford F-150
  By SoldierBoy - November 29 - 5:17 am

  The 2009 F150 is a great looking truck. The truck has a smooth ride with a quiet cab. The issue with the truck though is somewhat cheaply made and needs more horsepower.

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  08 Escape Saved My Life - 2008 Ford Escape
  By alive2talkaboutit - November 29 - 3:13 am

  Too quick to know exactly what happened, but I wrapped my brand new Escape around an electric pole this week and am here to talk about it. 08 handled my 52 MPH head on like a champ! ROLL BAR: In tact. AIRBAGS: Deployed & deflated quickly. NOT TRAPPED: rear glass popped open giving me a quick escape route from the fire. WINDSHIELD: Didnt shatter. Just a little crack in the corner. INTERIOR: Still looked like new! Not even a little mark in the leather, Impact did not send the motor in to the body cavity (or my legs). ME? Didnt have jewelry on, I would not have had a mark on me! This was not only a pleasure to drive and look at, it was a damn good car! I will buy another.

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  tired of the bad 6cyl reviews - 2009 Ford Mustang
  By JohnnyVermin - November 28 - 4:49 pm

  I originally wanted to buy a Dodge Challenger the styling on those are far more superior, but with traction control and an upgraded stereo system yikes almost $25k, the Mustang has all that but was far more affordable at $17k. Ford really gives you more car for the dollar minus less hp, and the fact it has no independent rear suspension like its compettitor. Besides a slight sluggish response in overdrive i find myself only hitting the gas so often and the car smoothly driving itself. The performance is smile worthy and is far better than previous mustang 6 cyls but nothing too extreme, the car thrives on the highway, country roads and dry conditions, kinda fears backroads, rain, and snow

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  Nice Car - 2004 Ford Thunderbird
  By Buddha - November 28 - 10:00 am

  It is a nice car to drive, easy going car to drive....overall a nice ride.

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  40th Birthday Dream Come True - 2004 Ford Thunderbird
  By T-rrific - November 28 - 10:00 am

  I have dreamed of owning this car since I first saw a picture of it in 2000. It is so much fun to drive and be seen in. It is really a head turner and fast, aggressive and commanding even standing still. The down sides are the doors are huge and it makes it difficult to park it and get in and out with out bumpin another car and the low head clearance when entering and exiting the car always makes me bump my head and I am only 6 fet tall. Other then that I totally love the car

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  new thunderbird - 2004 Ford Thunderbird
  By john R - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Great looks,poor room,legs and head.exceptional performance.great suspension.

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  problems after problems - 2000 Ford Focus
  By mok123m - November 28 - 10:00 am

  The thing i had fixed by ford: -Replace Outer CV and Axel ASSY. Transfer Inner Axel. -Replace power steeling pump and bleed air from system -Replace Cargo Cover -Bolt from top rack came off and replace -Replace fuel pump -Replace Right hand inner axle -Replace driver side head light assembly -Replace burn out license plate light -Replace stabilizator bar and lube bushing -Perform 4 wheel alighment -Replace pinch bolt -Replace block heater cord (charge me 22.77CAD for a damn cord) -Replace Right hand mirror

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  Great Little Vehicle - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Mr. Clean - November 28 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Focus about a month now and like it better every day. Handling is great - surprisingly comfortable and more room than might be expected from this sharp looking small vehicle. The mileage hasent gotten up yet but I know it will. Planning on a fairly long trip with this car shortly and really looking forward to it.

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  My Review - 2004 Ford F-150
  By Stupidyou - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Well i first test drove it i was going to be a huge hunk of metal. I was wrong. This creature did almost 0-60 in 5.6 sec. Thats fast for something that weighs almost 3 tons. The torque was just right with enough room to haul a medium baot with that pick-up to pass that granny cadalic.

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  Great since day one! - 1993 Ford Explorer
  By James.Frey - November 27 - 12:30 pm

  Ive owned this car since day one. Bought it in late 1993, and has been great to us. In 1997 we took it to VA from CA and it was great in the snow and rough terrain. Brought it back to CA in 1999, mechanic I took it to messed up the engine at 50k so we had to have it rebuilt. It now has 91k on it and I drive it as a spare car, but it can go for weeks without being driven and it still goes strong, and starts right up! Design is flawless, shows you what a real american car is all about. Interior is perfect, nice, simple, and comfortable. Drive-terrain: I wish it would have had a 4.5L or 5.0L V8, the 4.0L V6 it has is under powered, and the 4spd Pinto transmission is weak.