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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  not a hot rod - 2015 Ford C-Max Energi
  By smitty smith - March 9 - 7:49 pm

  no trunk space ...can not lock the glove box ... the colors in dash to blending.. not enough storage space

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  Awesome small turbo engine / good gas mileage - 2016 Ford F-150
  By Jorge - March 1 - 5:59 am

  The small twin turbo motor (2.7) is great---really good acceleration, responsive, and good gas mileage. So far, my gas mileage has been 21 - 22 MPG in combined highway and local driving reasonably conservatively---for true mileage calculate it yourself---the truck computer ends up displaying 2 - 5 miles per gallon more than you are really getting). Cabin is very quiet. Ride is quite comfortable, except when you go over bumps of course. Good seating position in the front---rear seats are better than I thought they would be---actually tolerable for adults of average height for short rides. Wish Ford would sell an accessory lockable gas plug for the truck. Alas, the huge annoyance with this truck is the auto-engine-off. Although Ford gives you an override button, deactivating the auto-engine-off is only good for one driving cycle, so you have to push it every time you get in the truck if you don´t want the engine shutting down every time you come to a stop. You might come to a stop for just one second, and the engine shuts down! Also, make sure you want a large truck---this thing is big.

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  explorer xls - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By hew III - February 28 - 10:00 am

  not bad. a wider-track and more cargo room would be better.

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  XChev, Mistake or Not? - 2003 Ford F-150
  By Gruff - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I have had Chevys since 1967 used to be a Ford man. Chevy wouldnt give me a good trade in so I went to Ford. I like my new truck but have found somethings wrong. Work men ship is a little bad. Seat belt put installed backward, Pedal adjustment missing, Read door out of adjustment, gap on dash board on drivers side and no tinted windshield. . All in all I like the truck, just have to get used to driving a Ford.

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  Good Value - 2005 Ford F-150
  By Ryan - February 18 - 2:50 am

  This truck is okay, already have a few problems with it starting, and a strange jerk in the transmission, i dont know if it is the console mounted shifter or what.

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  WAS GREAT UNTIL 50,000 MILES - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By LISAWALT - January 30 - 10:00 am

  THE ONLY PROBLEM BEFORE 50,000 WAS THE INTERIOR JUST PEELS AWAY BY THE RADIO AND CUP HOLDER. THEN CAME THE $800 BALL JOINTS AND $250 VACUUM HOSES AND THE $800 A/C COMPRESSOR NOT TO MENTION HAD TO HAVE TIRES AND BRAKES EARLY. 2WD SUCKS IN THE SNOW. HAD TO WEIGH THE BACK END WITH SALT BAGS WHICH WAS GREAT ON THE ALRIGHTY BAD GAS MILEAGE.

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  shiftless junk - 2001 Ford Focus
  By focuscrap - January 26 - 2:00 am

  if Ford made only the Focus, they would be out of business in a week. this car has the worst shifting manual transmission ever, even worse than my 1959 Austin that did not have sychro. the throttle sticks in cold weather and the dealer admits that they are all crap. another Pinto, thanks a lot Ford

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  Surprised! - 2006 Ford F-150
  By Nelsonso - January 23 - 10:50 am

  I have always been a Ford customer for ever. I recently went from a F350 power stroke to the 2006 F150. I am a little unhappy about the drive. When I hit a bump in the road it hits hard through the whole truck. When I test drove them they seemed great but not the case with the one I bought. I thought maybe it was the 20" tires but have talked with some others and they dont have a problem. Gas mileage is not what I expected. Around town only 12.0 and on the highway the best I got was 16.2 empty. I guess I can live with the mileage, but the bad ride really gets to me. I dont even look forward to driving it anymore. I have about 2,000 miles on it now. Any ideas?

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  Lost transmission at 72,000 miles - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By dspindler - January 18 - 7:24 pm

  Nuff said about that. I did research AFTER I bought the car. Had I realized the transmission failures were so common on the 05 I never would have bought it. I didnt realize this was the first year for the CVT. I believe that is why the 500 was moved to the Taraus nameplate. Ford told me to pound sand. Paid $4200 for new transmission. At least I got a 3 year, 100,000 mile warranty with it. Last Ford for me.

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  sounds like a can of loose rocks - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By wild Bill - January 17 - 8:50 am

  I bought my 2006 mistake this month (04 - 2006), and really thought I was getting a good car, but every time I shift, it shudders and clunks as if the drivetrain is going to fall off the car. I took it in on 04-26-06 to have it checked out. They came back and said they called Fords hot line and Ford told them to drive another Mustang with a 5 speed and see if it does the same thing Well it did, so Ford said that it is normal then, that they wont fix it because all the other v6 5 speeds make the same clunks on them, and if they get a lot of complaints on that, then they will research on that problem! Stay away from the V-6 5 speed.