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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  LOVE MY GRAY PONY - 2018 Ford Mustang
  By PONY DRIVER - September 25 - 12:01 pm

  I traded a 98 Mustang gt California Special for a 2015 3.7 v6 10/14. I enjoyed it but I upgraded to a Mustang 2017 gt premium 4/17. I love this car good acceleration good braking, good features. Ill probably add some accessories to it now( performance pack 3). Fun car to drive.

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  Great Car! - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By A. Withers - September 25 - 8:13 am

  I am a salesperson and at my last client lunch a comment was made - "wow, I thought your car was one of those $80K German imports!" That made me proud of my new purchase. The car looks great, drives well and gets much better gas mileage than my family van. Another comment from a friend was wow, that car has a nice engine!

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  98 ford xlt xtra cab - 1998 Ford F-150
  By BIGB - September 25 - 2:00 am

  best vehicle i have ever owned. changed o2 sensor and tires at 40,000 mi. other than normal stuff like filters and oil that is it. avg. gas mileage is 15 to 16 in town and 18 to 20 on highway.

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  Windstar from Hell - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By aRCE - September 25 - 2:00 am

  At 60K miles vehicle literally fell apart. Vehicle repairs were $4,000 in one year. Vehicle still does not run right

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  No Regrets! - 2002 Ford Excursion
  By Big E Afficionado - September 25 - 2:00 am

  We recently bought this Big E after many months of contemplation.(We also looked at the Sequoia and the Expedition, but there was no comparison!) After several test drives all over the state, we took the plunge. Now that we own it, we take it everywhere! Other Big E owners wave as we go by, not to mention the respect you get on the road!. Fuel mileage is incredible...16 city and 20 hwy going 65mpg (with hills).The sound of the diesel motor, inside the cabin, under normal driving conditions, is minimal. I would buy this vehicle again,and again, and again!

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  Zippy little thing - 1992 Ford Escort
  By JAmes - September 25 - 2:00 am

  I just got the car a few days ago with 120k on it.. Though i Owned a 1984 ford thunderbird before with over 200 hp, the 88 hp of the escort is suprisingly more then enough to zip around town..I give this car 2 thumbs up

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  My dream car! - 2014 Ford Fusion
  By Mike N - September 24 - 3:00 pm

  I love this car! I had to start with that. This is a really nice car. I had previously rented a Ford Fusion Titanium and I instantly fell in love with the way it drove and the really cool features it had. I was sad to give it back, lol! So I decided to get one myself. This car rocks! The Ford Fusion is a midsize, but it feels bigger on the inside. It handles like a smaller car. It has a very confident feel in the way it goes down the road. On the highway, its like a luxury car. Very quiet and stable. I have the Titanium trim which has the 2.0 Turbo four. It pulls like a V6. The interior is also very nice. Nice soft touch plastics, an awesome sound system, and a great navigation system, make the interior a very inviting place. You also change the color of the mood lights. I have no worries that itll be reliable and hold together for a long time. It feels like itll last for a long time. **Update** Its been a year since I bought my Fusion and Im still excited about it! I still get gitty walking to the car every time I drive it. It really is an enjoyable car to drive. I do a lot of highway travel and this is the best car Ive owned for long distance travel. The seats are very comfortable, the ride is awesome. It is on the firm side of comfortable, but still very compliant. I havent had any issues over the past year with it. It has been very reliable. Im not planning on getting a new car for a while, but when time comes to get a new car, I would love to get another Fusion. It really is a great value and fun car to drive.

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  Had it since september 29 2012 - 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
  By xlogosx - September 24 - 6:22 am

  Well I decided to buy this car over the Prius in Worthington Ford of Long Beach CA, Ask for Sam and Ike if you go there. The Cmax hybrid had higher Horsepower than the Prius with the capability of reaching 47mpg, Ive put 860 miles as of 10/12/2012 and my first time in the freeway I did 38-40mpg to San Diego California, driving at 80 mph average, in city driving at 45mph on a 40mph street I can acheive 47-53mpgs in flat surface, in my usual route to college with one hill on the way ive reached 43-47.3 mpgs, when stepping on the car and driving fast i reach 32-35mpgs overall, the lifetime for my car mpgs is 42 mpgs.

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  97 Crown Vic - 1997 Ford Crown Victoria
  By panther - September 24 - 2:00 am

  Have 186,000 beat the snot out of it miles...original owner. 10% on bad dirt roads. Regular 3000 mile oil changes and tires rotations. Only replaced the intake manifold, defect, likely...a vaor line that wore on the frame, door latch and brakes (many, but easy and cheap). Also have a fuel leak I have to find from tank area, but guessing I will get another 10-40k out of it. Seems to have at least 90% of as new performance. Have a 95 Grand Marquis with 85k (also bought new)...so its just getting broken in. Incredible vehicle.

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  04 Escape - 2004 Ford Escape
  By baseball1 - September 24 - 2:00 am

  I really enjoy the handling and the comfort of the 04 Escape. It is good in both the snow and on clear highways and is powerfull enough with the /Duratec V-6 for the highway to say with the flow of traffic or pass when necessary. Engaging the 4 wheel drive is easy and quick.