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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  Love it!!! - 2015 Ford F-150
  By Leonard - May 26 - 6:55 am

  Purchased a 2015 XLT Supercrew Sport 2we. This truck exceeds all of my expectations! Ride is smooth. Acceleration is top notch. Seats are comfortable and Sync is great.

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  TIN CAN ALLEY - 2015 Ford F-150
  By Joe - May 26 - 5:13 am

  Bought this in August of 15 only to find out that my brand newly redesigned state of the art aluminium truck s radio was old technology, bad call ford. This was a 43000 dollar truck yet it had a hard plastic dash and the armrest in the front doors were thinly padded while the ones in the back were hard plastic, the seats looked like they were made from potato sacks, this was an SLTmodel. Now lets get to the turbo 3.5L. first 2000 miles this thing was like a speed racer, then it started to have very delayed reactions to input from my foot, I broke it in properly, but after that it was downhill from there, it jerked and when it would finally spool up it would jerk your head back. But I also wanted to include this, when it rains you might as well forget having a conversation with whoever is seated next to you, it sound like a heard of elephants are trampling across that aluminum hood. When you walk in the back of the bed, it pops and cracks. The door alignment and body panels look like my first plastic model car I put together at the age of 6. Ive always been a For, but after 10000 miles in 14 months I just have had enough. I am now driving a 2016 Nissan Titan XD Platinum Reserve, and it has everything on it, leather, navigation, around view cameras led lights and big V8, all for less than 55,000$, ford cant touch that deal at all.

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  XLS - Nice - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By orrink - May 26 - 2:00 am

  Much nicer than expected. I got it for under $17k. Ride is much better than expected. Nothing like my 1999 Sport. Very good radio/CD and very very roomy. Unreal VALUE is the name of this game.

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  My Mustang - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By terryandfloyd - May 26 - 2:00 am

  I have driven new convertibles for eight years now. I love the feel of them and living in sunny Florida is a plus in owning a convertible. I do suggest you make the interior more up to date and classy looking. My friends drive foreign cars and the interior is awesome in them.

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  1999 ExpeLemon Eddie Bauer - Burned By F - 1999 Ford Expedition
  By disgruntled_at_ford - May 26 - 2:00 am

  replaced emissions sensor at 45,000, altenator at 47,000 and transmission at 84,000. never seen such horrible quality.

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  Fun to drive on short trips - 2000 Ford Escort
  By Elderchuck - May 26 - 2:00 am

  This Escort has been typical of the three Escorts we have owned previously. Well built, short on options, reliable, and hard on the back when sitting over an hour. Nagging problem with engine mounts (accelerator slaps foot and clunks on starts and stops and bad tie rods).

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  18year old FEMALE - 2001 Ford Escort
  By BrittL - May 26 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car to start out with! Its cute its fun and who doesnt like to pay $15 to fill up the gas tank. I wouldnt have wanted to learn to drive a stick on any other car. It is very easy to handle, and the ride is smooth.Big hit with the parents because consumer reports rate it well!!!

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  Owner - 1997 Ford Mustang
  By Trinidad Gutierrez - May 26 - 2:00 am

  Lots of fun to drive! A great sports car feel for the customer on a budget. Poor leg and head room for back seat passengers.

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  If your Escape Stalls after 36000 - 2004 Ford Escape
  By MJKZD - May 26 - 2:00 am

  Stalled Once. Good thing it was under warranty. Im friends with the service/finance manager where i purchase my Escape.. Ford has an open TSB about this problem.. They tell me this problem happens with 02,03, Windstars and Tribute.. If your Vehical stalls after 36000, even with fords best extended service plan, YOU will pay for repairs. Ford and Easy Care, if thats whos providing you the warranty, considers the replacement 6 items on your engine a upgrade not a failure, so therefore ford and your warranty company will not cover this. Ford is not taking responsiblity for bad workmanship. Other then that, its a nice SUV.

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  Initial Impressions - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Bulwark102 - May 26 - 2:00 am

  Just purchased a fully loaded 2005 Escape Limited 4x4. The early 2005 was purchased $350 over invoice. My first impression is this is a solid and good looking vehicle. The engine is powerful and responsiveness is acceptable, but I found other vehicles I test drove (such as the Honda CR-V) were a bit more agile. The engine is loud at higher RPMs and the automatic transmission feels sluggish as it searches and engages the next gear. I feel very comfortable with the interior styling, indicators and controls. I will follow-up after my first 10K miles.