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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  Not bad for an SUV - 2006 Ford Escape
  By Lows1961 - April 3 - 5:20 pm

  Bought this SUV in Feb of this year, of course we bought it used, we liked it for the looks, how it drove and the colour ( charcoal Grey). I was impressed with the pick-up it has and the handling on the road and in the weather conditions. This one came with all leather interior and the first and only owner before us went as far as ordering an all leather steering wheel, very nice. The sound system is awesome, it has the 6 cd changer and 6 speakers with a built-in amp, it came with all the bells and whistles. My only problem with this vehicle is it stinks on gas or it may be due to the small gas tank, at most I can get 450km per tank at the same time it only cost me to fill it up around 45.00

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  Brakes are EXPENSIVE to replace - 2006 Ford Freestyle
  By Luce - April 3 - 2:27 pm

  This car was great because I didnt want to get into a minivan! It had plenty of room for the kids and their things. The brakes have been replaced 4 times and the routers 3 times! Almost every inspection I have failed because I needed new breaks! They have been recalled, but there is no permanent fix! Very frustrating! Also the power steering fluid has been "leaking" I have already gotten it fixed twice, but it seems to keep having a problem. It sounds like a remote control car turning corners!If they could fix that i would be very happy with my car.

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  A Worthwhile Purchase - 2001 Ford Escort
  By Frank - April 3 - 8:50 am

  Ive had this car over six years now and it is one of the better vehicle purchases Ive ever made. It has been very reliable and has not had any major mechanical issues. I replaced the air filter with a premium air filter and performed a tune up using premium spark plugs last year and the fuel economy has been consistently averaging 31 MPG. Before that, I was averaging around 28 MPG.

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  Been a Great Car - 1998 Ford Contour
  By onyx_ranger - April 2 - 9:25 pm

  Bought this car new for my wife. She commuted 54 miles round trip, both highway and winding country roads. After 11 years and 120000 miles no problems. Replaced timing belt and plugs at 80000 as preventative maintenance along with water pump. One front wheel bearing replaced at 90000. Brakes around every 40000 miles, tires at 60000 & 110000. Still runs strong, AC still cold, decent mileage and still tight. Burns no oil. Chgd oil & air filter every 5000. Probably keep it until it dies. Did the work myself so it has cost very little to operate over the last 11 years. Basically changed the oil and drove it. What more could you ask for in a car? Great Car!

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  poor exterior design flaws - 2009 Ford F-150
  By 20victory03 - April 1 - 10:55 am

  I just purchased a new 2009 Ford F-150 4x4 XL Regular Cab. I Love the truck except for 2 flaws in design. First...The head rests protrude out from the seat back about 5 inches which pushes your head in a lookdown position. The seat must be reclined back in order to level out your head so you are looking out the windshield instead of down at the bottom of steering wheel. I turned the headrests backwards which now has zero protection in the event of a rear collision but it now is comfortable. Secondly, The 2 openings on either side of license plate has 2 brackets that Fords engineers have no clue of what they are for, sitting there and is an eye sore,these holes are for extra cooling. The holes supposedly, according to the engineers route extra air up to the radiator for engine cooling. If this is a fact, Ford should have installed air intake ducts to direct air up to the front of radiator...not filled the back side with a rubber mat, enclosing the area.

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  Owner of 2 contours! - 1998 Ford Contour
  By Larissb - March 30 - 9:18 pm

  -good car,but check engine lights never goes off, even after being fixed -cupholder was designed by an idiot -1st car went to 220000 which was pretty good got with 153000 paid 2000.00

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  Great for the whole Family - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By Maurice Frye - March 30 - 7:18 pm

  This car has done it all for us, we have traveled many miles and experienced it all and this car just keeps on Trucking...Great car if it was not for the terrible gas prices..

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  Much more than expected. - 2009 Ford Ranger
  By Ron - March 30 - 1:33 pm

  Was looking for a small truck to haul lawn products and purchase too big to take home in car. I needed pretty good mileage because I am driving it to work. Well, this is really the only compact now available and the current pricing is great. I was able to buy a new vehicle for about the price of a used one with 30k or so miles. The truck drives really great. The 2.3 inline 4 has plenty of power for both in town and interstate driving. The truck is really tight and has every feature that I can imagine that I would want. I would highly recommend if it meets your requirements.

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  As dependable as the come. - 1998 Ford Expedition
  By Nancy K - March 30 - 11:37 am

  I bought my Expedition in 2003, when I had six kids at home, pulling an animal trailer, living in North East. It had 73,000 miles. Now, 4 kids in college, still have trailer, now has 176,000 miles. Safe, secure, dependable. Starting to rust out from underneath, but keep maintaining cause I think it will last until 200,000. Safe? I rolled it in 2005 when a Jeep ran a stop sign. 4 kids and I crawled out sunroof. No one at all hurt. Teens drive it slower than they would a small car, and respect the power more. People still comment on what a sharp looking truck it is. Looks as good as the day I got it. I love my truck.

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  Used 2008 explorer - 2008 Ford Explorer
  By Freddy - March 30 - 9:24 am

  I purchased my 2008 explorer 17 days ago. This is my 6th Explorer since 91. The 2008 model year is nicely styled, although personally I like the 05 much better - much classier look opposed to the chrome bars and round gauges. At first I hated the center mounted shift knob but my hand rests on it when using the arm rest, so its actually comfortable. Like others have said, interior parts are cheap. Overall I like Explorers, but this 08 has had a number of issues. In 17 days of ownership (bought with 16,200 mi on it) a speaker died, a part in the catalytic converter system failed and needed to be replaced, and the no cap gas cap filler neck had to be replaced due to improper sealing.