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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  thunderbird fun - 2004 Ford Thunderbird
  By jason fell - February 27 - 2:00 am

  I have owned many fun cars from AH sprite to Vets and even a Shelby 350GT the new Thunderbird is by far the most fun to drive and most bang for the buck. This is the first car that ever made me want the work week to end so I can take what my wife and I call "Getting the bird out of its cage for a flight" Congrads Ford you did it right!!!

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  Great work truck - 1992 Ford F-150
  By couleeman - February 27 - 2:00 am

  This is a great work truck. You cannot kill it. I have the 300-6 with the 5 speed, and put on alot of miles on a year with no problems yet.

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  2001 Escpe Power Steering Problems - 2001 Ford Escape
  By jc of the north - February 27 - 2:00 am

  Overall I have enjoyed this vehicle. It rides well and handles very well on snow and ice. Lots of power with the six and great passenger room. I dont like the amount of wind noise . I have also had some problems with the power steering system. Had a hose come off and covered the engine compartment with fluid. Was told this is a common problem with this model. Presently the vehicle is sitting in the shop waiting for a power steering pump. We are at two weeks and counting. Were told that the dealership has a couple more Escapes with the same problem sitting and waiting as well. This does not insire confidence in the maintainability of this vehicle.

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  2nd new car - 2005 Ford Focus
  By Mike - February 26 - 8:06 pm

  I told myself after buying a brand new 1984 Dodge Caravan and having someone wreck it in my driveway I would never buy a new car again...well here I am and I did buy a new 2005 Focus SES. The car handles like a European car, extremely well, sure of itself and very responsive. It lacks power but makes up for that in the handling. Stopping seems OK and the car makes the driver feel in total control. I am still unsure of the mpg which I will carefully scrutinize. Overall I am pleased with the car so far.

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  Love My Escape Hybrid - 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Richard Devitt - February 26 - 1:50 pm

  We needed the all wheel drive feature since we live in the Sierra Nevada mountains where the roads are rough and the weather unpredictable. Since AWD is considered a premium feature the dealer told us virtually all AWD models were factory built with the full premium package. So we ended up with a car/truck that had a lot more luxuries than we wanted. Though not necessary, they make life more pleasant. As a result of the AWD, and our rough environment, we dont get anywhere near the stated mileage, but thats ok. We get about 24 hwy and 27 city mpg. Its a great car excellently put together. The biggest pleasures are the onboard NAV and the continuous acceleration transmission.

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  Fun & Peppy Ride @ a nice $ - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Marjorie Constantino - February 26 - 10:00 am

  I have the sport model. I found the Sport package to be a great buy for the money. You get great all-terrain tires, cool sport rims, roof rack, trailer hitch, and side step bars. Its good on gas. I love the smooth ride and handeling, unlike some other SUVs with a more bumpy ride. The back seats are quite roomey with a good size cargo area.The exterior is pleasing to the eye. It is stylish and sporty. It is a nice size, not too big and not too small. There are also alot of nice Escape accessories available from the Ford dealerships like: bike rack, roof storage bin, bug & rock shield, and more. I highly reccomend the Ford Escape.

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  love my car - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By clintsuper - February 26 - 10:00 am

  i love my vehical, i got nav, dvd, stability control and roll over protection. inside i have climate controlled seats that keep me cool in the hot sun. i have bought 7 vehicals in the last 9 years and i would not change anything about this one . ps maybe better milage .

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  Will Buy Another One - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By rbladl - February 26 - 10:00 am

  I enjoy the comfort and ease of driving this vehicle in all types of weather and driving conditions. By far this is one of the best SUVs I have owned.

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  Good truck - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By T Alan - February 26 - 10:00 am

  Oveall this is a great truck.

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  Chilton - 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By chilton - February 26 - 2:26 am

  Drives fine except for accelerating onto highway. I drove Explorers for years, so Im getting used to a lighter-weight vehicle, but love the improved mileage. Still think the higher price in comparison to an Explorer makes the improved gas costs overrated. I have a problem with paying more (we also bought another Explorer) and receiving a lesser quality vehicle. My Hybrid payment is $100.00 more per month than our new Explorer. So its give and take.