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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  exellent - 1998 Ford F-150
  By Marcos Meza - February 16 - 2:00 am

  The pickup is good on the highway we usually make road trips every year of about 4000 miles going and coming. Performance is decent but thats because it has 170,000 miles on the odometer. The pickup has only had minor problems, the biggest problem it has faced was the starter and the flywheel going bad but thats about it it Has been a very realiable and bad ass truck too drive.

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  My F-150 named Judy - 1998 Ford F-150
  By fordguy81 - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this truck since it was a year and a half old, it had 30,500 miles on it when i bought it and have had only 2 occasions to ever have it in the shop for mechanical reasons other than routine maint. Im exceptionally pleased with this truck and would only hope that my next is as reliable and as good a truck.

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  Love it - 2005 Ford Escape
  By mcjones - February 15 - 4:53 pm

  This is the first truck I have ever owned so it is hard for me to compare a non-HEV truck to this one. I have been very impressed with the gas mileage and performance. I am averaging 33 mpg combined driving in the summer and 26 mpg combined driving in the winter. The mechanism that switches from full electric to hybrid when accelerating from a stop is very impressive. It is as seamless as could possibly be expected. I am not a very fast driver but I can report that this vehicle accelerates very slowly compared with previous cars that I have owned. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone who is looking to use less gasoline and can afford the extra cost of the hybrid vs. standard Escape.

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  New Ford F 150 4.6L v8 4x4 LB - 2000 Ford F-150
  By tntkrug - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought this trck new. 4.6L engine 4x4. I love this truck. 4 years now with very minor problems. Coil pak went out at 45000 miles $200 repair. Cat. converter inside ceramic stuff broke apart and clogged muffler $100 repair at (90000 miles) thats all the problems Ive had. Trck now has 97000 mi. on it. Good loking truck, inside and out. 4.6L motor is a little doggie when pulling a 3000lb boat but the gas savings makes up for it. I get around 20 mpg out on the interstate at 75mph not pulling anything. I highly recommend this truck!

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  Ultimate Hauler - 2004 Ford Excursion
  By Bigtruck - February 15 - 2:00 am

  This is mysecond Excursion purchased in the last four years. The 2004 6.0 liter diesel engine and redesigned transmission are vastly improved over my 2000 7.3 diesel engine and transmission.This new vehicle has unlimited power and is delivered smoothly and very quietly for a diesel once it has reached temperature.Fuel economy looks promising and will certainly improve as the engine breaks in.

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  built to last - 1992 Ford Escort
  By airhorton - February 15 - 2:00 am

  My Father gave me this car, with around 180,000 miles on it, and now im pushing 210,000 miles and still running stong. very quick and nimble. 0-60 in 7.0 sec!

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  fun,fun,fun - 2004 Ford Thunderbird
  By tbird-04 - February 15 - 2:00 am

  The bird has been my toy now for 6 months and im still not totally convinced its the car I was looking for.It is a fun car to criuse with and get neat comments,but it is not for any adreniline speed junkies.The handeling is fair,along with just adequate power to play with. Ford should offer the car with a six speed and better handling qualities.The build quality is apparent along with a nicely appointed interior.

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  my 2 cents - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By lisas mama mobile - February 15 - 2:00 am

  minimal problems, car still kooks great . exterior paint still looks new. people often remark how well it handles the road & how its a nice quiet smooth drive, runs great !

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  Good first car - 1993 Ford Tempo
  By CAC - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car and it was my first car. It looked nice and handled well. About 3 years ago, the clear coating over the paint started to peel away and now the car looks horrible. Ive noticed that many other Fords have the same problem. I contacted Ford but they deny any problems with the paint. The car was working well for me until about 3 years ago. Now, on an annual basis Im putting about $1,500 and I think its time to look for a new vehicle...it is 11 years old after all. Its been generally reliable but I dont trust it on the interstate...sounds like a sick dog once I take it over 55 MPH.

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  pickup review - 1993 Ford F-250
  By oiu574 - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Small transmission leak,otherwise no problems. Used primarly for trailer towing.