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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  So close... - 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Pat Richard - November 29 - 8:16 pm

  Not a bad ride. My 4WD unit rides nice, and handles well. Traction control works great. Mileage hovers right around those listed - even better sometimes on the highway. The sound system in mine (6 CD stereo w/ MP3 playback) sounds really good. Mine has the power pedals, but they hardly get used.

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  The SuperCrew rocks! - 2003 Ford F-150
  By Seebee65 - November 29 - 10:00 am

  We love this truck! We bought it in Dec. 2002, and have 6000 miles on it. It seats 6 comfortably, rides well (for a truck), 4WD works great in snow, loose dirt and gravel, and has bed capacity to haul sofas, refrigerators, recliners, boards, etc. The optional bed extender is handy. No problems with the truck whatsoever. The power is plenty adequate for whatever I will haul or tow. It is so much more luxurious than anything we have owned before, and light-years better than the 2000 Dodge QuadCab we had. We paid $27.5K for it including the tow package and some other goodies, a bargain in my book for a truck that looks this good and works this well.

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  mysterious smell - 2003 Ford Taurus
  By cindyp - November 29 - 10:00 am

  i like my 2003 ford taurus lx as far as its comfort and fuel enconomy. i have about 4500 miles on it as of april 2003. the only problem with the car is that it gives off a weird smell that smells like oil or exhaust. i have taken it to the dealer,but they cant find anything wrong. they have deoderized the heating and a/c system,but smell comes back. i have no problem with the way the car runs though. just frustrated with the mysterious smell.

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  I like - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By Ford4me - November 29 - 10:00 am

  I like this SUV. It drives really well and is a good all around vehicle to use.

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  Unreliable - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By AP - November 29 - 10:00 am

  Explorer has a weak V-6. The vehicle is unreliable. I have had numerous problems with the drivetrain, the transmission, and the rear end. I cannot trust this vehicle. On top of that it gets poor gas mileage.

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  Good Car - 1997 Ford Crown Victoria
  By aldo - November 29 - 10:00 am

  Surprising power with decent gas milage. Good on long trips with the family. Plenty big trunk. Handles well, steering kind of twitchy. Drivers seat uncomfortable but with electric adjustability I can usually find an acceptable position. My friends love this car on road trips.

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  My CV - 2000 Ford Crown Victoria
  By WHH - November 29 - 10:00 am

  Best car on the road for the money. Mine has the handling package, well worth the extra money. Very smooth and stable ride.

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  Great Truck! - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By David Brasefield - November 29 - 4:20 am

  This truck is fantastic! Nice looking also. 4 wheel drive works great, especially in New England snow. Ride is pretty good for a truck. V-6 is very smooth but V-8 would be nicer. Very versatile. Full 4 doors and backseat, along with the truck bed, make this very versatile. Make sure you get tonneau cover. You can haul stuff from the grocery store, home/garden center, then take 4/5 friends out to dinner. Interior is well laid out but same as Ford Ranger. A little narrow for larger folks. Im 64". Plenty of leg room with seat all the way back and adjustable steering column. This truck has been extremely reliable. Not a single mechanical problem. Only the cheap sunglass holder broke. Highly recommend!

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  The best Car Ever. - 2003 Ford Excursion
  By Drake~ - November 29 - 2:00 am

  I love my excursion. the man a the dealership said the car got 18 on the highway and 22 in the city and I almost died. We got our 4wd limited edition for 28,270 and they paid the tax tag and title for me. And when you look at it it looks huge. But when you drive it it feels like you are driving a nissan Altima. i love my excursoin and you should looooooooooooooooooove it to!!!!!!! I swear the gas milage is true.

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  Unjust Ratings??? - 1995 Ford Windstar
  By ABE - November 29 - 2:00 am

  We are the original owners of a Ford Windstar. In just the last month, in researching things for an additional minivan, I was surprised to find the 95 Windstar so poorly rated. Thru our 52,000 miles, Id say our ownership experience as been supurb overall. Part of that was a fine dealer that took care of the few, annoying minor bugs quickly and at no cost. They were: 1) A missing storage tray under the passenger seat upon delivery, 2) The ABS brake light turning on recall and, 3) The head gasket recall. Other than these things, our experience has been supurb.