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:

• 

  Sapphire Blue - 1995 Ford F-150
  By amarok3 - October 18 - 2:00 am

  This is the second flar side Iv owned, and am pleased.

• 

  great truck - 1996 Ford Ranger
  By Anvil - October 18 - 2:00 am

  I buoght this truck with 12,000 miles on it. It now has over 260,000 miles and is still running strong. The only problems Ive encountered is a transmission problem caused by an oil change place leaving the fill plug loose. Very expensive repair, but trouble free since then. This truck is so reliable I find myself taking it for granted.

• 

  Love the Ranger - 1998 Ford Ranger
  By Jwish - October 18 - 2:00 am

  This is my first truck and it drives better than any car i have ever had.

• 

  My first car! - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Amanda - October 18 - 12:33 am

  I just got the car a month ago and its great. It was my first car and my dad and I just decided to go test drive a Ford Focus because I had seen them and liked them a lot. We were "just looking" But we found a 2003 ford Focus SE light green type and packed with power everything. We knew this was the car (we had been just looking for a bit, at least for me). And since my dad couldnt find a scratch on it we got it. I have to say if you are looking for a good realiable first car for your teen I recomend this car!

• 

  Love/Hate Relationship - 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
  By caliny - October 17 - 8:05 pm

  I loved the CMax on sight. I happily looked forward to the awesome 47mpg promised on the sticker. I drove off the lot a convert to Ford. I got over that quickly. 33 days to be exact, when a tire blew out. Then a few days later, a second tire blew out. Ford said I hit a curb. I didnt. They said it was Michelins fault. Then came the recalls, the USB connector that wont stay anchored inside the console, the audio that doesnt always work (they blame my iPhone), lame SYNC services, and the lies about the fuel economy. I am getting 41-42 MPG. Nice from the 25 my last car got, but I live in fear of tires blowing out (no spare/donut). I would trade it in if I could afford to.

• 

  Great SUV - 2003 Ford Escape
  By Superfueler - October 17 - 10:00 am

  I bought the Ford Escape as a replacement for my 96 VW Golf. I wanted something that was a bit bigger on the inside, was better in the snow, and was more truck-like. The Escape was the perfect match. It has awesome power with the V6, goes great in the snow, has awesome brakes, roomy in the inside, and looks more macho than the RAV-4 or CRV. It also rides more like a car than a truck, unlike the Explorer.

• 

  Good SUV - 2003 Ford Escape
  By JPoon - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Very impressive acceleration. 0-60 is very quick! Handling is precise and quick. Took it on a drive over the weekend to visit CA caverns, tried the 4WD feature. Very nice! Handled the steep highway hills very well too. Very responsive transmission. The 3rd gear goes all the way up to 80mph!! Dun screw with this car on the HWY! Braking is very stable and quick! The seats are abit hard The wind noise at high speed is quite irritating and there is some rattlng noise here and there. The license plate has 2 screws and when hit a bump, the plate just slaps on the metal making very loud noise.

• 

  Great Car - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By Driver7 - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Car drives great. Is a very smooth drive. drives more like a car than a truck.

• 

  they got it right - 1993 Ford Explorer
  By 3ChordSig - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Got my Explorer used off of a lease, now have 175,000 miles on it, itll go another 25,000 without too much trouble. I think Ford got this one right, its a toss up between buying a new one and rebuilding this one!

• 

  Another poor quality Ford product - 1995 Ford Explorer
  By draks - October 17 - 2:00 am

  In general this truck has been maintenance free but when things fail they fail BIG. The radio failed in the first 3 months. After that it was OK until the transmission failed at 75k miles and (after a rebuild) failed again at 90k miles. The computer generated "OD/ engine" lite illuminates often and it costs $150 to put it on the machine and I learn that "its nothing to worry about". Finally, it costs $150 to get a key and remote control "programmed" from FORD. This is clearly a vehicle made for a 2 year lease = use it and throw it away. Unfortunately, I bought it thinking I could keep it for 150k miles, but sadly have learned that domestic cars are not built for that.