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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  First SUV - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By Chrisava7 - December 31 - 2:00 am

  This is my first truck!! Since i got it i loved it!! The only problem is that after i got it i had some problems with the transmission. But since it was certified by ford it was all covered. I have done over 5,000 miles in two months and i know that it will be able to keep up with my crazy driving habits

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  ford tough - 1993 Ford Ranger
  By charleswilliam - December 31 - 2:00 am

  bought in jan. 1993 with the exception of oil changes, belts & hoses, i have only replaced the clutch and module. been a very reliable and enjoyable vehicle to drive. I bought a new 2001 f- 150 fwd but i still enjoy driving my ranger better.

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  Gas mileage - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By Chris - December 30 - 11:13 pm

  I have put 6000 miles on my 06 XLT V-8 4WD. I will start with the statement "It is the quietest vehicle I have ever driven." Inside the cab, it is virtually silent. I cant even hear the rumble of the V-8, or the hum of the highway. Sometimes you have to check the tach to see if its running at a stoplight. The interior is great, except the shifter on the console versus the column, and the wiper/headlight all-in-one stalk. The only performance complaint I have is gas mileage. I am getting 9-11 mpg in city and 12-13 mpg on the freeway. I think there may be something wrong, but the engine sounds great. Overall I highly recommend, if only the gas mileage was better.

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  Our First New SUV - 2017 Ford Explorer
  By Dennis Avery - December 30 - 10:49 pm

  In the past Ive owned used Chevy S-10 Blasers, a Bravada and a Lexus RX 300. My family recently purchased a new 2017 Ford Explorer XLT. With the incentives offered by Ford and decent internet pricing, we got into a new model with many options that brought our vehicle within reach of the higher-end Limited series for convenience and features that we wanted, but at a manageable cost. Fit and finish both outside and in the cabin is well executed and we were pleased to find one locally with a light tan leather interior matched to a silver body. We do not like all black inside, its just too gloomy in my opinion. On the plus side of the equation we enjoy the heated steering wheel, lighting and displays and the touch screen functionality. Also, the truly fold flat cargo floor is a huge deal as we frequently haul goodies to and from the cabin. On the downside, the front driver and passenger seats are shallow, too narrow for a full framed body and somewhat hard. There is little concern shown for long-legged drivers as the seat does not go back far enough and your feet are compressed into a relatively small, boxed in space that does not permit any shifting or wiggling of your extremities. In summery, we are reasonably happy with our new ride, and not at all sorry for the purchase, but would like to see the level of driver comfort improved in future.

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  Love my baby - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Kateg1111 - December 30 - 2:00 am

  I love this car; I was originally going for the traditional explorer, but my husband convinced my to get the Sport Trac; Im so glad he did. Its fun to drive, smooth ride, and dependable. Plus, is got safety gadgets galore. Thats important with a baby on the way!

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  wow - 2003 Ford F-150
  By hj - December 30 - 2:00 am

  what a great truck

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  great vehicle - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By ccd - December 30 - 2:00 am

  have owned a few explorers, ford has been making them for a while,,great vehicle

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  Explorer - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By briscoe - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Honda owner for 12 years. After researching and driving the new Explorer, I felt very comfortable putting my family in this vehicle.

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  Much Better Than Anticipated - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By Zman2003 - December 30 - 2:00 am

  I never thought I would own a Ford until I saw the new explorer. Previous cars were a 98 Range Rover & a 98 Volvo V70. The Explorer ride compares favorably to the Rangie although it doesnt have the luxury interior features. Car looks great and has a very comfortable ride. My wife has an 03 Honda Pilot and I prefer driving the Explorer (hopefully it will compare favorably long term on reliability). I would recommend this car to friends.

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  Like our Windstar - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By Claude Lafler - December 30 - 2:00 am

  We purchased our van new & have only experienced two minor problems: power door lock malfunction and wiper motor failure. It has been a dependable transporter and family hauler. We have heard of transmission problems on this model so we have the trans serviced every 20k miles & have experienced no problems. A great vehicle with more than adequate power!