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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  nice choice - 2003 Ford Escort
  By eLY - December 14 - 2:00 am

  So far it has been a great little car!

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  Car is good - electrical system terrible - 1998 Ford Expedition
  By richardwliebert - December 14 - 2:00 am

  I love the car with one major glaring exception, the electical system is filled with Gremlins. Every time I take a long trip in the rain the electical system becomes possesed by demons.

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  217,000 and counting! - 1990 Ford Ranger
  By The stRanger - December 14 - 2:00 am

  My Ranger has been a great truck. Will soon surpass 217,000 miles with no major problems. Fun to drive. Good acceleration when downshifting to pass. Smooth handling for a truck. Capable off road and on.

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  My Focus - 2006 Ford Focus
  By Ron Holmes - December 13 - 10:10 am

  I have owned a 2003, 2004 and a 2006 Focus. I have enjoyed driving each one. I also own a Ford 500 and it sIts in the garage most of the time. The Focus is a fun car to drive.

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  Fun Stuff - 2000 Ford Focus
  By T_Williams - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 2000 Focus used in 2003 with only 25000 miles on it. It is fun to drive and gets pretty good fuel mileage for the way I drive it.

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  Love my Expedition - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By Bob17 - December 13 - 10:00 am

  We just love our Expedition! Tons of room, lots of features, really great!

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  Love It!! - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By CHASSIE - December 13 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Explorer and I love it. Driving is a whole new experience. The vehicle is very comfortable and all the controls are easy to get to. The DVD system is designed great and my kids love the wireless headphones and remote. I usually trade vehicles quite often but I will have this one a LONG time!

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  Poor way to get a new truck - 2017 Ford F-150
  By Stiles - December 13 - 7:50 am

  I went to sleep and rolled and totaled my 2013 Platinum. That truck handled the wreck so well in keeping me safe, I thought Ford is the way to go. My new Lariat with the 3.5L V6 and 10 speed transmission is not a step down. It is a step up from the 2013. It has everything the Platinum had an much more. I do a lot of freeway driving. The 3.5L V6 and the 10 speed make the entry to the 75 MPH line of traffic easy and safe. Shazam, it is quick. I added a spray-in , a Tonneau top, and power running boards. It is like driving a royal limo. In the initial 1500 miles, the average is 20.8 mpg, up 5 mpg from the 2013 Platinum. I would have a hard time listing all the superlatives that cross my mind about this truck. Quick, quiet, comfortable, well appointed, love the auto high beams, improved rear camera, voice activated navigation, and on and on. When choosing the model on this template, I was not given the option of choosing the 3.5L V6 Ecoboost, but this truck has that engine.

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  i have looked around for a long time .for this mus - 2002 Ford Mustang
  By john lincoln - December 13 - 7:44 am

  I get classic cars and that is what I like . Until I found my gt .well I did some thing I would never do .I traded my 1964 ford galxie 500 in great shape .but I did find my mustang gt 2002 . I thing is the best year I have found .I looked at a lot of them and found the 2002 to be like a tank yes its built that good .so I did find a classic .and I like the idea of having the 289 ci I loved that motor when I was a kid could not kill that motor .so I do not have a bad word to say .I found the classic I was looking for to keep for many years. thank you so much. ford you out did yourself.

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  Sport Trac - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Momof2 - December 13 - 7:03 am

  Purchased with 75 mi on it, now at 160000. Bought Gold Warranty, will never purchase again, it covered nothing. Transmission came "unsealed" at 16k mi, said it was normal wear and tear. Continued transmission issues, gaskets come unsealed often and the electrical issues are huge. Windows wont roll up and down, door locks wont work, even manually (can only get in through passenger manual key lock). Constant repairs.