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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  Great Compromise - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By D. L. - November 28 - 8:33 am

  Bought in 2007; with 25,000 miles; XLT Premium. Like new. Saved a bunch. Looked at new Jeep four door, too much metal showing, and Dakota four door, noisier and more truck-like. Well pleased with this compromise design. Good looking, solid, quiet. Fits in my garage. Have added K&N air filter, removed resonator, changed to flow- through muffler. 16 mpg in suburban driving.

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  Fantastic Ford Five Hundred - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By wildgoose - November 28 - 8:10 am

  Ford has finally built an European auto, but at $10-15,000 less. I average 27 mpg on rolling hilly highways. Makes ice and snow covered roads feel like dry pavement. Plenty of room in cabin and trunk. Comfort and convenience combine with hi-tech controls and transmission for a fun-to-drive automobile. It doesnt just pretend to be of European quality. It challenges European quality. I still find it hard to believe that I got so much car for such a low price.

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  nice truck - 1997 Ford F-350
  By allegrini - November 28 - 2:00 am

  This is a wonderful truck you can do anything you want>

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  10 - 1997 Ford F-150
  By phili - November 28 - 2:00 am

  Ilove to drive my truck.

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  Probe Files 97 - 1997 Ford Probe
  By Francis Eleazar - November 28 - 2:00 am

  My Ford Probe has been very dependable for the past 5 years that Ive been driving it. It is the first car that I ever bought for myself. The car has a unique look to it and still looks fairly attractive considering that the last probe manufactured was 6 years ago. The transmission is not that great and has a hard time going on steep hillside roads. The acceleration is average but the handling is above average. The rear compartment is quite spacious. The car is perfect if there are no little kids in the family for the back seat is really not that spacious. Overall it is a good car.

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  Basic Ford Ranger - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By Shawn1985 - November 28 - 2:00 am

  Decent Vehicle, but have problem with vibrating in the wheels/steering wheel.

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  Ford 2000 Expedition Eddie Bauer - 2000 Ford Expedition
  By TLedman - November 28 - 2:00 am

  This was by far the best vehicle I have ever owned. In 3 1/2 years I never had one mechanical problem. I would highly recommend it to anyone in the market for a used SUV.

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  VERY Disappointed - 2002 Ford F-150
  By Dave Bello - November 28 - 1:12 am

  I only wish i could write a rave review like most of the other folks. I have always been told Ford makes the best trucks. This is my first Ford truck. Granted, its a 2002 and I bought it in 2012, but its been a money pit. I was unaware of the "blowing plugs" issue with certain years. Well, i have that year, I guess, and twice plugs have popped. according to complaints, Ford refuses to acknowledge and fix the problem. Now, I have to spend $250. and get new plugs every 30,000. miles. This truck has hurt me, financially. The plugs, heater core, motor for power windows, the shifter has a lot of play and is difficult to get in gear sometimes. I was told i could no longer be tightened and needed a new mechanism in the steering column, $500. The motor for the 4x4 just went, 1/2 of the interior dash lights have burnt out, and the heater blower motor is really noisy and ready to be replaced. add this to the regular stuff, and im tapped. many things i expect, but worrying about spark plugs malfunctioning, and getting hit with not-so-common problems is put a sour taste in my mouth about Fords. Not sure id buy another Ford truck

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  Best hybrid weve had - 2013 Ford C-Max Energi
  By jhoxy - November 27 - 11:59 pm

  Have been driving this car for about 6,000 miles without a problem. With the federal tax credit and CA rebate, the cost is the same as the regular CMAX hybrid. Nice seating position, pleasant interior, good pickup, and after figuring out the battery limitations, getting about 80-90 mpg in my daily 25-30 mile commutes. The car is very quiet and reasonably pleasant even on 400 mile drives (although only get about 38 mpg on gas alone @ 70 mph). The extra battery does limit space and may be a deal breaker if you have a family of 4. Much nicer drive than our prior Prius and Camry hybrids. hybrids

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  First Impression and Experience - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Footnote - November 27 - 9:56 pm

  Weve had our Flex for about 2 months now and find it to be one of the most satisfying cars weve ever owned. My wifes first impession was that it looked like a hearse and she wanted nothing to do with it. Once she sat in it and drove it she liked it as much as I did. It is the most comfortable and quite car weve ever owned. Recently we were caught up in a storm outside Lubbock, TX. In particular the winds were terrible. This car was rock steady on the road with no swaying at all. Inside it was quite and relaxed. We even watched as the front move through on the doppler radar image on our navigation unit. We love this car.