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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  Giddy Up! - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By brenda - May 2 - 2:30 am

  Fun car to drive. Only difficult thing about the car is the seat belt. Other than that it has everything I need in a car. Beats my Mercedes.

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  Sales - 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Sales - May 2 - 2:03 am

  Anyone in the outside sales industry should think about getting this vehicle. You get 32 MPG in the city and about 29 MPG on the highway. I lug about 300 pounds of catalogs a day and still get this type of MPG. The price tag is the only problem with it over $25K if you factor that in you might want to think twice.

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  The Beast - 2002 Ford Excursion
  By Inocencio Ramirez - May 2 - 2:00 am

  The Beast is a pleasure to drive. Its a vehicle that demands respect everywhere you go. Other cars move out of the way especially on the highway. I bought the Beast to carry my four kids in. I took a drive to Disneyland as well as Mexico, and it gave me an average of 15 miles a gallon at speeds of 80-85. I bought the 7.3 Liter diesel. No smogging to do and Ive been told the engines last a long time.

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  Cant kill this truck - 1993 Ford Ranger
  By Boe123 - May 2 - 2:00 am

  It seems the more you work a Ford to death the longer it lasts. After laying to rest my older Ford Ranger diesel I purchased my stripped down 4 cylinder long bed in 1993. After severly beating on this truck with my needs and others it is still going strong in 2002. Other than changing the clutch and routing maitenance it is still going strong. Dont baby these trucks. They can take it.

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  expect problems - 1997 Ford Ranger
  By brandonm - May 2 - 2:00 am

  the ranger is an attractive pick-up that means well, it just had horrible engineers. ive only put on 20,000 miles on mine in the last 3 years (52,000-72,000) and cant believe the problems ive had. ive been stranded, oil changes bring a list of things that need to be fixed, and new electrical problems almost regularly. fuel-pump died on a road-trip leaving my wife and me stranded. after returning home the check engine light came on again and the canister also had to be replaced. not cheap. had to replace all ball- joints, another $700. this shouldnt be happening on a truck with 70,000 miles on it. ill never buy a ford again because of my experience with this truck.

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  Ford Edxplorer review - 1994 Ford Explorer
  By RWCRWC - May 2 - 2:00 am

  We had the car 6 years without problems except for needed shocks frequently and the air conditioner condenser broke twice in the last year of owning.Brake pads needed replacing often and the 4 wheel drive was not reliable.

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  Dream Car - 1995 Ford Mustang
  By redbaron - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I love my Mustang. Its the car Ive wanted for a long time.

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  Best "full size truck" value available.. - 2000 Ford F-150
  By dmk71 - May 2 - 2:00 am

  This is the 3rd Ford truck product ive owned & i am a Ford truck convert for life! They ride/drive/perform flawlessly thru any circumstance.The build quality excellence is well known..just be sure to request an F-150 from Their Norfolk Va. assembly plant(best in North Amer.). Ive owned a Chevy,Dodge & Toyota truck previously & although they were decent none were as good overall as the Ford. I highly recommend this vehicle..ask anyone who owns one!

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  Great SUV! - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By JoeCool - May 1 - 10:50 pm

  I cant say enough about how impressed I am with this vehicle. Drives and rides as good or better than anything else out there. Acceleration is good and handling is superb. I am more than satisfied with this vehicle.

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  Best Explorer Yet - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By Jamers99 - May 1 - 6:43 pm

  This is my 4th Explorer since 1995. My most recent was a 2002 and the 2006 is much more comfortable. The ride and drive is really outstanding. Very tight feeling. The 4.0 l V6 is very impressive as well. Great torque. We just downsized from our 2003 Expedition and have no regrets whatsoever.