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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  500 - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By flt769 - April 2 - 1:30 am

  I like my new 500 very much. The only complaint I have with it is the trunk. Although the trunk is huge and holds lots it is not flat and the edge around the inside of the trunk takes up valuable space. For example, I had a Taurus and the trunk was flat. The 500 with the edge or lip around the trunk will not allow me to store things like i did in the taurus. Otherwise, I like it greatly.

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  Fun and Practical wagon - 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
  By mrtrout - April 2 - 12:07 am

  I have owned a C-Max for about 2 months and 2000 miles now and overall think this is an excellent hybrid that is often overlooked. I have the base SE model with no options other than blue paint color. The base model is a good value at about $26K. The closest comparable car is the Toyota Prius V. The only advantages the Prius V has are more cargo space and a more thickly padded back seat (but the seat does not fold flat). I liked the C-Max better in all other areas. The C-Max has a lot more power than the Prius and accelerates quickly. The electric motor, engine, and transmission are very responsive and seamless if you have to punch the throttle to merge into traffic quickly.

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  WOW - 2010 Ford Fusion
  By black beauty - April 1 - 7:10 pm

  Owner of just one day Fusion sport black/ black w/ red leather insert bucket seats.. roars like a lion and drives like a Lexus. Fighting with wife.. now she wants one .. Oh well, cant find another one just like this one. Solution??- Order another one. But she wanted extra, with a remote auto start so her car would be different than mine.She wins.. what else can I say about this car!!

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  A Pleasure to Drive - 2004 Ford Escape
  By RochesterNY - April 1 - 10:00 am

  It looks and handles great. It has a lot of pick-up and has a little extra when you go to pass someone on the highway. We love the interrior space, that was a big selling point. My Wife and I disagree on the comfort. She has found the seats to be very hard and somewhat uncomfortable, but it does not bother me. We drove several other Small SUVs on the market, Honda C-RV, Jeep Liberty, and the Santa Fe. None could match power, pick-up, handling and the over all comfort of the Escape.

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  My Escape - 2004 Ford Escape
  By Rhonda Phillips - April 1 - 10:00 am

  I love my Escape.

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  escape its fun - 2004 Ford Escape
  By susan the buyer - April 1 - 10:00 am

  I looked at several suv and found ford to be the best quailty for ride looks reliability and most important the ford has an excellent star rating for vechile safety

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  ford escape - 2004 Ford Escape
  By barbe80 - April 1 - 10:00 am

  great car looking forward to buy another one- would like to try the new economical one with battery/gas

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  Why I love my 2005 Ford Escape XLT - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Tammy Laeno - April 1 - 10:00 am

  The 2005 Ford Escape XLT is good on gas. Its fun to drive. I love the design. I previously drove a Dodge Stealth sportscar and the transition was very easy which surprised me. Since the Stealth is a small sporty vehicle. This compact SUV was an easy transition for me. I have not noticed any problems and the mileage is good. To fill it up is only $25 in Detroit, MI.

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  i like it okay - 2004 Ford Focus
  By Rev E. Lation - April 1 - 10:00 am

  of course i would have rather drove out in one of those T birds that i couldnt stop looking at while i was buying this car, but i have to admit i like this car. i am six foot three and i noticed right away that the steering wheel was smaller than usual so my knees were not wrapped around it, plus the height of the car left plenty of room for me. i am used to feeling smashed into a car as small as this, and for once i feel it was made for me, especially since the seat actually lowers. i have never owned a new car before, and i have to agree with everyone else, this is fun to drive, and the sound system is pretty nice.

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  KING of the road - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By corkyk - April 1 - 10:00 am

  The 2004 expedition eddie bauer is a good car. Other than a few interior mistakes there are no problems. Gas milage is what you would expect in a large suv, and shouldnt matter in the buying process. When the dvd screen is down, forget about using the rear view mirror. When the sunroof is open all the way the noise level is a little high.