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:

• 

  Debs Yello Stang - 2003 Ford Mustang
  By Debs Stang - January 6 - 2:00 am

  My second Mustang. Better than my first one. Great looks and reliability. Comfortable seats.It handles great and decent power even with the V6.

• 

  Awesome - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By Jayson2178 - January 6 - 2:00 am

  The best car Ive ever owned

• 

  freestar - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By BOBR - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Nice vehicle for a first time buyer of van and ford product

• 

  My Highway Cruiser - 2004 Ford Crown Victoria
  By ob1 - January 6 - 2:00 am

  SMOOTH COMFORTABLE FAST A pleasure to drive on a long trip. Get lots of looks, on the road Thanks SPEED DEMON

• 

  Crown Vic lx sport - 2004 Ford Crown Victoria
  By chip Gladding - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Fast car, very good at handling in tight spaces. Not the best mpg but knew this when I purchased it. All in all, I love it

• 

  Excellant - 2004 Ford Escape
  By TBro - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Love the way it handles, has great pickup for a 6 cyl. Nice ride!

• 

  Dont buy this car - 2004 Ford Escape
  By Teena - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Escape in the shop 6 times in the first two months that Ive owned it! Ive had problems with the starter on 3 occasions. The radio, after 6 service visits, loses channels. The service dept found the radio defective, the antennae defective and a loose wire in the starter. Fuel economy is horrible. Even with driving it conservatively, It only gets 15 mpg.

• 

  MY NEW TRUCK - 2004 Ford F-150
  By DMoleski - January 6 - 2:00 am

  tHE TRUCJ IS VERY COMFORTABLE AND SPACE INSIDE BOTH FRONT AND REAR IS QUITE ADEQUATE. tHE RIDE IS VERY SMOOTH AND ENGINE POWER IS VERY SATISFACTORY FOR MY USE. tHE TRUCK BED HAS AMBLE ROOM AND THE STORAGE SPACE IS MORE THAN SUFFICENT. i PREVIOUSLY OWNED AND EXPLORER XLT 1995 AND THE F-150 ACTUALLY RIDES AND DRIVES BETTER THAN THE OLD EXPLORER.

• 

  Ford Eddie Bauer Explorer - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By JPR - January 6 - 2:00 am

  This is a great SUV. I have owned several explorers over the years and use this vehicle for both commuting and significant off road driving during hunting trips. This vehicle has been tested in some very muddy, slippery and uneven terrain off road and comes through like a shining star. Its by far the best SUV for people who want to utilize the "utility" in sport utility vehicles. I have the V8 powered eddie bauer version. It wont win any drag races but delivers smooth, powerful accelleration and has more than enough power and low end torque for driving around town, on the highway, off road and towing a trailer.

• 

  Ford explorer-3rd one - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By Pambrob - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Ahhh the 2003 is way smoother then my 1997 model. Gas mileage is way better too. I feel so safe in this suv. Picky-heat comes out on the leg...hmmm they need to move it back to the floor. But it came out on the foot of the 1997 model which was no better. My 1993 model has the heat right-over the brake foot! Which is better since your foot is not always there. Do not like the shuffle button on the radio-it messes up the order of the cd playing. AND where was the power seat for the passenger in a 30,000 car! I had not idea this was not there! ugh. But I would not buy anything else....