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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  MY PONY! - 2001 Ford Mustang
  By H82W8 - October 9 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. I have owned 15 cars in my life and never have I been able to say that I LOVE THIS CAR! The V8 handles great with the 5 speed. My leather seats have so many dials for comfort you cant help but just meld into the seat. It gets about 23 miles to the gallon which is fine considering the power this car has. The overall quality is incredible. The 6 disk in dash CD player with Mach Stereo was WELL WORTH the money and sounds better than most peoples after market system.

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  NO PROBLEMS - 1999 Ford Mustang
  By DRIVEN396 - October 9 - 2:00 am

  hAVE DRIVEN CAR 98000 MILES SINCE i BOUGHT IT NEW. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. cAR STARTED UP EACH AN EVERYDAY. ALL IVE DONE IS CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 3500 MILES. OH! THE BRAKES DO WEAR PRETTY QUICKLY. 4 TIMES HAD TO REPLACE. ONLY THING WRONG IS THE DRIVER SEAT IS STARTIBG TO FRAY ON THE EDGE. GUESS ITS THE WAY I GET IN THE CAR. GOES IN SNOW AND RAIN. MACH STERO IS AWESOME AND BODY STYLE STILL TURNS HEADS.

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  Ford Builds Tough Trucks - 1997 Ford F-350
  By Augie - October 9 - 2:00 am

  7.3L diesel makes this Ford truck tough enough to pull mesquite tree taproots with only a chain. Towing package makes for a slightly rougher ride than my wifes passenger car, but the clearance is more than enough to use in the mesquite and cactus. Enough room to put three boys in the back seat and still have a conversation between the front seat passengers. Body style doesnt belong to anything but a FORD!

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  love my roller skate - 1993 Ford Festiva
  By re3ver - October 9 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Festiva. I had to buy it used because they arent made any more. My first was involved in a wreck or else I would still be driving it. If they still made them I would buy a new one. With gas prices the way they are my little car pays for itself in savings. It is a fun car and handles well in traffic. I have taken it to retriever field trials and it will go some places the large 4WD trucks cant.

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  Lariat Supercab - 2004 Ford F-150
  By J Smith - October 8 - 10:00 am

  This is my second F150 in 6 months. I had owned a silver FX4 Supercab it saved my life in an accident. My second one a blue Lariat Supercab, i have the chrome gearshift on the floor it looks great, Ford did an awesome job with the interior as well as the exterior, there is no comparision with any truck on the market.

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  Just Awful - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By disbelieve - October 8 - 10:00 am

  An awful vehicle. Vibration, three Continental tires have been replaced and it still vibrates, looks like another Firestone problem. Dont blame the dealer they have tried to fix this lemon. Bumpers, what bumpers? The plastic bumpers are awful. The quality from the factory is awful. This will be my last Ford. Lost all enthusiasm for this vehicle.

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  99 Explorer - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By Deer Hunter - October 8 - 2:00 am

  Truck has nice, car like ride. 4.0 v6 is a little under powered especially with A/C on. Constant brake problems however. Always squeal even with new rotors and pads. Fuel economy is not bad for a truck this size. 4WD is noise in turns

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  Great Car.. - 1993 Ford Probe
  By haplo - October 8 - 2:00 am

  i have had my 93 GT for about 4 years now. I have 180k miles on it and it still runs great. I didnt have to do much maintenance except scheduled ones, like tires, brakes, timing belt and water pump. Water pump was ok, but i changed it when i was changing the timing belt. All the electrical controls still work. Great design exterior and interior. It just looks cheap material inside. Engine is definitely satisfying. Despite those long 10 years and 180k miles on it. I have driven many new cars most of them performance cars, I have to say Probe has its place as a sporty car with the V6 and the manual.

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  99 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 - 1999 Ford Ranger
  By Tres Vanderburg - October 8 - 2:00 am

  After owning a Chevy Blazer(which broke constantly), and a Jeep Cherokee(that was also a regular problem), this truck has never gave me a whimper in 90,000 miles. I go off-road often. The engine has been modified and I am very hard on the gas. Still, It runs, shifts, and drives like the day it was bought. I never thought any vehicle would last this long taking my driving style, the durability of this truck is absolutley amazing.

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  fun but rough - 2003 Ford Ranger
  By Kelhoon - October 8 - 2:00 am

  I love this truck!!!