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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  Run for the Money - 2006 Ford Fusion
  By L Man - March 22 - 7:10 pm

  I have driven pickups all my life and I was not sure how I would like driving the Fusion on a daily basis, but it has been very good and is very comfortable for long trips and office trips. The V6 is the best option for engines and leather seats comfort the ride. This vehicle is a winner.

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  cheap reliable american classic - 1996 Ford Mustang
  By Philip Gray - March 22 - 5:21 pm

  Ive had this car about 6 months now and have had no problems at all. It had 97K miles when I bought it but later I realized the odometer doesnt work so I dont really know how many it has on it. My favorite things about it are that it has great looks, it gets good gas mileage, and all the power options on it. Overall this is the best economical american muscle car for the money.

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  Ford 500 SE - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By UMASS93 - March 21 - 4:26 pm

  Third Ford that I have owned - step up from the Taurus. Now Ford plans to name this the Taurus due to lack of name recognition for 2008. Best car to have if you have a family. Higher off the ground that most sedans and consistently rates as one of the safest vehicles in a front and side collison. Gas mileage is acceptable, I have over 80,000 miles on my 2005. Live in MD and work in PA - 75 miles one way - average 28 mpg highway - have to love cruise control.

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  my car - 2002 Ford Focus
  By me - March 21 - 10:25 am

  Nice car, but glad I spent $50 on buying & transfering the extended warranty when I got the car. Replaced the heater at 62000 mi and the right front center axle bearing & bracket, oil pan gasket and oil sensor unit at 66000 mi. Total repairs about $1850, with warranty I spent $525 total.

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  2008 King Ranch F150 poorest KR yet - 2008 Ford F-150
  By Earl Tooke - March 21 - 9:14 am

  This is my seventh new Ford since 1993, and my third King Ranch truck. While the quiet and smoothness of this ride are the very highest yet, the seats are absolutely the most uncomfortable Ive ever experienced, much like sitting in a metal folding chair. The handling is excellent both in town and on the highway. The sound system is AWEsome, and the reliability is...Ford...change the oil every 5k miles and get a new battery every other year and follow the scheduled maintenance program, and the vehicle will never fail you. My 2005 F250 is still in the family!

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  Best Ford - 1995 Ford Taurus
  By iguanaman00 - March 21 - 2:07 am

  This is my first car i have owned and i dont wanna ever let it go. the first thing bad that happend was the starter went out and then park.The heater core was out when i got it..and just recently my water pump went out but it is still running great today. when u get in the back of the car it sound like a Boat engine.lol. I love it and it is my baby.not really a ford man but i highly recomend this car.It also matters who was the first owner and how much maintence was kept up. Passes smog with flying colors. only one thing i dont like it the cassete player and the speakers dont bump like the new cars do. But when u are on the side of the rode listening to your 3000 pound raio.I will be cruzin

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  Hard Plastic Interior Hard to Love - 2007 Ford Edge
  By Rich Carlson - March 20 - 8:43 pm

  I bought an SEL+ in Creme Brulee, loaded with all the options including the panorama roof and navigation system. I traded in a 2004 Explorer Eddie Bauer V8 for the Edge. Compared to the Explorer I like the ride, lower step in height, better mileage, and roomy back seat. On the downside the interior of the Edge is a sea of hard plastic and poorly styled interior elements compare the front interior door panel of the Edge to a Saturn Outlook and you will see what I mean. The interior is way to cheap and cold feeling for a $35,000 car. The navigation system is good, but not great.

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  4.0L ranger review - 1996 Ford Ranger
  By Fat Jackson - March 20 - 1:38 pm

  When I bought my ranger the transmission was going out at 138000 miles. It was the 4.0L model, and shortly after I had the transmission rebuilt, the water pump went out making the engine over heat. The 4.0L engines apparently have aluminum heads which are notorious for not being able to withstand high temperatures, so both the heads cracked after overheating twice. Buy a subaru, I had an 89 Subaru that overheated all the time and the engine just kept on ticking

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  Reinstated my faith in American cars. - 2008 Ford Fusion
  By hobbie2k - March 20 - 2:09 am

  A true American competitor to the import mid-sizers. And Ford only needed to borrow a Mazda platform to make it happen. The car is roomy, comfortable, has decent material and build quality (though there are a few warts), and is somewhat fun to drive with a manual transmission. It doesnt beg to be driven hard like an Altima, and isnt as refined as the Accord, but still drives good and looks great. SYNC is a brilliant system, but I am having issues using a thumb drive to store music that Ford cant seem to solve. The engine is smooth and revs well, but it feels a little underpowered and is a little bit too noisy at highway speeds. My mileage is 27mpg mixed.

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  Great Family Hauler - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By mschooly - March 18 - 11:29 pm

  Our Expedition has done my family great over the last six years. It has survived three young children and a lot of driving vacations. It was a great family hauler with the fold flat third row, DVD system, and the heated and cooled front seats. Followed all recommended services done by dealer. Had problems with premature front tire wear until I took it to an independent tire shop to do alignment and balance every 5000. Interior rattles became a problem on rough roads after a few years of use. Gas mileage is bad around town, but better than expected on highway, as long as you go 65.