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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  I love my car! - 2004 Ford Taurus
  By aleger1 - April 13 - 2:00 am

  I just bought my car and I love it. My 2 boys have plenty of room in the back seat. The trunk us huge and with 2 small kids and all the things that go alone with them that is a big plus. Very good car if you have kids.

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  awsom - 2003 Ford Mustang
  By davedave - April 13 - 2:00 am

  very powerful, great car i would never give my car up it is the best mustang i ever had besides my mach 1

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  GREAT PERFORMANCE BUT.... - 2003 Ford Mustang
  By BIG PT - April 13 - 2:00 am

  My mistang is great to drive and a thrill to launch on to a freeway except when there are cops around. very fun to pull up to little riced out hondas and then smoke them with a stock v6 mustang. Very nice suspension and great handling. the engine sounds great but the exaust could be upgraded to sound a little better. THERE IS NO OTHER CAR IN ITS CLASS (in production anymore)

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  Excellent car - 2001 Ford Mustang
  By dvenoregon - April 12 - 2:00 am

  Love the RWD and V-8 power. Dont get the V-6. I like the firm leather seats. Headroom is poor, but expected in a Mustang. Averaged 18-20 MPG over last two years on mixed HWY/city use. Good sound system in the GT. No major problems with the car in the first 36K miles other than the CD player jamming discs. Dealer fixed w/ no problems.

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  GREAT Car - 1996 Ford Contour
  By EXCLNT CAR - April 12 - 2:00 am

  I love my 96 Ford Contour. This car has been nothing but reliable. I have over 108,000 and other than minor repairs I have had to do nothing to keep my car running smoothly. If it were a little bigger I would keep it forever.

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  2004 - 2004 Ford Ranger
  By azazazaz - April 12 - 2:00 am

  great vehicle , would recommend it to anyone

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  Sad Tale of My Windstar - 1995 Ford Windstar
  By the_five_js - April 12 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a 95 Windstar 1 yr old with 15K mi. At first it ran well, great comfort and ride. Then came head gasket failure, resulting in engine rebuild. Ford recalled engines, a year after $4000 bill. Also replaced brake system (2x), trans, speedo head (3x @ $350 a pop). The door ajar chime always turned on/off at random. Towards the end cruise control and FI system failed. I got 140K miles out of this beast, but at WAY too high a cost of ownership. Just donated it to charity since repair estimates were greater than value. To anyone considering Windstars (any year but especially 95), be smart and look elsewhere -- no matter what the price!

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  Not Happy - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By ZEBRA - April 12 - 2:00 am

  This car was o k until I had to have the valve cover gaskets replaced $450.Ford put faulty gaskets on these engines.caused intake manifold to leak air.engine ping unaceptable. This will be my last Ford. now power steering is broken.whats to love about that??gas milege is bad.

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  Dream Car for Bill - 2004 Ford Thunderbird
  By Meek - April 12 - 2:00 am

  What a dream to drive! My wife tells me I drive better now than ever before. But its the ease of handling of the T- Bird not my driving ability. There is plenty of power when you need it and the responce to your needs is so silky smooooth its unbelievable. The ride is excellent and the comfort decent. The controls are not fancy but practical and accessible. It is a looker! Heads turn all the time as Im driving to work--I drive it every chance I get. Try one! I guarentee you love driving it.

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  Buy it! - 2005 Ford Crown Victoria
  By ghost261 - April 11 - 8:39 pm

  I bought this at about 76k miles, I now have almost 83k. It is all black and leather interior, just about all the extras you can add. I drove this from Austin, Texas to Pennsylvania. It was a 1600 miles trip and the car was fully packed, back seat included. I still got 24-25 mpg. City driving is about 18 but for a V8 and how heavy the car is, not bad at all. I love it and wouldnt sell it at all. Great power and actually a head turner, probably cause they think I am undercover ;). People do move out of the way on the highway though. I do plan on adding some extras like intake and exhaust etc for even more of a muscle car.