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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  Replaced a 2003 XLS Avalon... - 2012 Ford Fusion
  By mrwhsla - July 10 - 10:57 pm

  ...this my second Fusion.. first was a 2010... yes, I was shocked when I parked the two next to each other... Both are almost the same length- its negligible at ...best for the Avalon... and the interior room is greater... but its a wider FULL-size car (insurance was 700+ for six months vs the Fusion is a midsize one with insurance at 850 lol. I enjoy the feel of the Fusion. Its more fun and engaging to drive... yes, its NINE years younger than the Avalon, but with 145k fewer thousand miles.. I hope its equally or MORE reliable. Started having electrical issues with it (battery terminal and cable burned somehow) and I wanted a fully loaded car with sunroof, leather, heated seats, and preferably a system like Sync for music and stuff. not to mention some version of spaciousness (couldnt get approved for the 2012 Azera I wanted) The Chevy version is great- had it in a rental Cruze LTZ, but this Fusion was a one-owner with 24k miles- still under factory warranty for the same or lower price as the newer and SMALLER Cruze LTZ. I will come back and update this review after Labor Day. I have a couple road trips coming.

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  Randys Explorer - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By Randy Kennedy - July 10 - 5:07 pm

  My 2013 Ford Explorer is very attractive, comfortable, and has all the features that I want and need. It drives great and the instrumentation is convenient and easy to operate. It does a great job of towing my bass boat and transporting passengers. It is rated at 24 mpg, but I recently got 25.4 mpg on a trip from Alabama to Missouri and return.

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  Approaching 200,000 and counting - 2003 Ford Escort
  By rimrocks@hotmail.com - July 10 - 1:46 pm

  I purchased my ZX2 new because I needed a car and this one fit my budget at the time. I had intended on keeping it 2 to 3 years and then trading up. Needless to say that was quite some time ago and I have no plans on getting rid of it yet. It is dependable, economical, and fun to drive. I drive in the mountains and the 5 speed manual transmission is a real kick. We go over a mountain pass to Yellowstone Park and the ZX2 handles it well enough to have the Harleys pull over to let me pass. I have done minimal repairs to it and do not expect that to change.

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  Best Bang For Your Horsepower $$$! - 2015 Ford Mustang
  By rockinroller - July 7 - 2:42 pm

  *WOW* Bought the "base" (hardly) GT off the showroom floor in Race Red, 6spd manual, with the only option being factory floor mats, a few weeks ago and this car blows me away: 435hp (and its every bit of that), great traction in all weather conditions, 22mpg combined mileage (and I only have a few hundred miles on it), great visibility all around, a luxurious feel to the interior. Even the base models "cloth" seats feel more like a mix of denim and leather than "cloth". Back up camera, great tight shifting with the 6spd, easy clutch, beautiful design: Seriously for under $32,000 delivered you cannot beat this car.

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  I LOVE my Escape, but. . . . - 2015 Ford Escape
  By renngpt - July 6 - 11:32 am

  First let me say, I love my 2015 Ford Escape except for one tiny issue - I purchased the vehicle in Dec 2014 in less than two weeks the brakes began to scream when the vehicle is first started in the morning when backing out of garage. I have returned to dealer three times but the squeal continues. This is not a brake squeak it is a long shrill squeal to the point my neighbors tell me they hear me leaving every morning. Currently have less than 3300 miles and the dealer is pretty much telling me to like it or lump it they are not doing anything else. Needless to say I am not a very happy Ford owner right now. Furthermore, an internet search reveals mine is not the first Escape to do this.

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  Dream Car - 2014 Ford Mustang
  By dman36 - July 4 - 11:10 pm

  I have owned and driven a lot of cars over the years but this is " the one".

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  hands down the best car Ive owned - 2008 Ford Fusion
  By saaf - July 2 - 12:43 pm

  Great car, 106,000 trouble free miles. Runs like new still. I just follow maintenance schedule on everything except I change transmission fluid every 30k.

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  Keep on trucking! - 2011 Ford Ranger
  By crimsoncoasty1 - July 1 - 11:36 pm

  This is my second Ranger and I love it. Im a Ford guy and had a 2007 King Ranch F-150 with all the bells and whistles and it was time to get back to the basics. I owned a 96 Ranger Sport V6 and missed my "little" red truck. The reliability, compact workhorse is all I ever needed. The gas mileage is better compared to the V8 Triton and its nimbleness is perfect to whip it anywhere I want. The 4x4 keeps me out of jambs and the upkeep is easy compared to Abilene Kimg Ranch leather. I love it!

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  Patience, "flamers"... - 2014 Ford Escape
  By jpserafin - July 1 - 3:23 am

  I know folks who cant accept fact that not everything works 100% 24/7/365! Bought my 14 Escape SE 7 months ago. One problem (below) ONLY issue! My Escape is a solid "works right first-time every time vehicle. 2.0 turbo made it thru last Chicagos MEGA-BRUTAL winter with ZERO issues... no slow-crank, stuck windows/doors, great heat after 4 mi. city driving, MPG dropped less than 6% etc. A few 95+ F days this year were totally bearable due to A++ A/C system. ISSUE: high beam bulb "exploded" one -22F morn, leaving small dark spot on inner surface. Ford replaced entire assy w/o hassle! No squeaks, rattles, noises. SYNC system needs improvement, but iPhone 5 sync works each day,

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  Performance Package GT - 2015 Ford Mustang
  By aevans88 - June 30 - 4:37 pm

  So I bought a base GT w/ the performance pack and recaro seats. The car is nimble and a blast to drive. While some people might find the close spacing of the gears tedious it gives me power in any gear except 6 and I love it. The ride is smooth and the interior is much better than the 2014. The base GT lacks the 8" touch screen and better sound system but I wont lose any sleep over it. The brembo brakes are great to stop you in a hurry. If you love driving you will love this setup I personally cant stop smiling.