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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  Good job, Ford! - 2010 Ford Taurus
  By JeanC - January 8 - 1:07 am

  This is a very nice car, inside and out. Excellent exterior styling, very close to perfect interior. Trim on the console sides shouldnt be plastic. Ride quality is superb... firm but not harsh. Plenty of power, and very smooth through the gears. After 1000 miles, highway fuel economy is well below estimates (not typical for me).

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  Luxury Truck - 2010 Ford F-150
  By Golfingg - January 7 - 10:56 pm

  I purchased this truck after a driver ran a red light and damaged my 2009 Chevy Avalanche LTZ which was 4 months old. This truck is more comfortable, has a lot more room and the interior has a better design, materials and finish. The ride is great and the performance seems superior. The navigation system display is great, the Sonyaudio system with factory subwoofer sounds awesome. Bluetooth is much more functional than in the previous truck. The exhaust system has just enough volume to recognize it has power but not to be an annoyance. The Tuxedo Black exterior with metal flakes makes a very nice presentation in sunlight. Gas mileage is expected for a truck with this power and size.

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  95 Aspire with 245K miles! - 1995 Ford Aspire
  By Jermnc77 - January 6 - 9:44 pm

  I purchased my Aspire from a cousin. I had long bugged him to sell it to me, and finally he relented! The motor has been replaced at 193K. I found a motor with 22K on it. I have practically rebuilt the car. But its been a work of love. I like the styling. The gas mileage is great! (averages 32mpg). It is a 5 spd with AC. I have achieved 41 MPG with the Aspire by not running the AC and keeping speed to 55mph. The mechanics of this car are simple and its easy to work on when necessary. With that said, it has been an extremely reliable car! I dont know what I would have done w/out it during the "gas rush" of Katrina! I wish Ford would bring this back! Just the way it is!

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  2006 Ford Freestyle SE in NC - 2006 Ford Freestyle
  By Jermnc77 - January 6 - 9:22 pm

  I purchased the Freestyle new in 2006. I love the Freestyle! I love the styling cues of an SUV mixed with a stationwagon. I would have loved to seen a "wood" panel addition. This car is an excellent traveler! We drove it from NC to OK and enjoyed every mile. I cant believe Im actually thinking of keeping this car and paying it off! That has NEVER happened to me! My average mpg is 23 miles per gallon. I have never achieved the advertised "500 miles per tank". Still it gets better gas mileage than any other SUVs or vans this size! I got the CVT trans model. I wish I had gotten a regular trans instead. The CVT has a towing capacity of 2k, while the reg trans had a 3k

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  Homerun - 2010 Ford Taurus
  By Gary - January 6 - 5:56 pm

  Traded in my 2005 Cadillac CTS for my new Taurus Limited and everything about the Taurus tells I made right decision. The ride and handling are superb. The Taurus has more features than the CTS and cost thousands less. Ive had more people stop and complement the looks of the car. I love the way the interior is laided out, gives you the feel of a true luxury sedan. Ford hit one out of the ballpark with this one.

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  Great Little Truck! - 2000 Ford Ranger
  By Satisfied Driver - January 6 - 2:45 pm

  I recieved this car brand new when I was sixteen in exchange for getting a full ride to college (I was pretty spoiled). I drove it until Christmas 2009 when I got t-boned and they totalled it out. One weird thing: after four wrecks (never give a teenager a new car people!) the air bags have still not deployed. I have never had a head-on collision, which may be the key. The good things: great gas mileage (~20mpg), the bed holds all my junk when I moved in and out of college, and Ive never had to make any major repairs in ten years of owning it. There were two small things, both under $150. Two-seater truck isnt great for a family but it was perfect for me and Ill sure miss it!

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  THE MOST AMAZING CAR<(^,,^)> - 1994 Ford Thunderbird
  By darklycan6432 - January 6 - 11:22 am

  I got my 94 thunderbird lx when i was a senior in high school. When i first drove it i loved it everything is great. I ran into one small problem i had to change the transmission it costed me $500. But after that it runs great and it still does. I didnt have any problems with it on a 800 mile drive home. I drive it everywhere and i wouldnt trade it for anything. I love everything about it. It has over 180000 miles on it and it runs great.

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  THE MOST AMAZING CAR<(^,,^)> - 1994 Ford Thunderbird
  By darklycan6432 - January 6 - 10:32 am

  I love my 94 thunderbird lx with its 4.6l V8 engine. I got it when i was a senior in high school. I love to drive it everywhere i go. The only trouble i have had out of it was the transmission cause the owner before me didnt take care of it. I got it replaced for $500. I still driving it everywhere. It ran great from Tulsa OK to Madisonville TN great i had no problems with it over the 800 mile trip. I have people always wanting to race me. But i love it all together.

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  nice change from .G.M - 2010 Ford Edge
  By larson22 - January 6 - 7:37 am

  I looked at all the crossovers,I had an Envoy, OK , but not really,I checked on the EXUINOX, the dealers I dealt with didnt seem interested in selling . I tried to look at a Terrain. could not find one (in real time) I have always been a G M person. But the attitude that had left me wondering if the service would be the same way,,, The ford dealer ,welcomed me ,curiously and seemed to be interested in what I was looking for,I drove the EDGE ,,and that was it for me ,,,I had a winner.

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  Much better than a car - 2009 Ford Escape
  By hammer - January 6 - 1:36 am

  My wife and I drove the Escape locally and short highway rides for the first 1000 miles to break it in. Then we took a driving vacation from Chicago to Denver and back. What a dream vehicle to travel in. Four adults rode in this vehicle comfortably for 2800 miles. We really love this suv. We bought the XLT with leather and the sirius satelite system. Nice ride.