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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  Great Family Truck! - 2005 Ford F-150
  By Eric - January 29 - 2:53 pm

  I have the 4 door which is perfect for a family with 2 kids. During the week it is a professional sedan in which I am pleased to transport clients. On the weekends my F-150 becomes my toy for camping, little league, household chores, etc. With a tonneau cover I keep my baseball/softball gear available for the weekday games and practices without compromising the clean and still like new appearance I want for my clients. Absolutely versatile!!

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  What a car! - 2007 Ford Mustang
  By 07 Mustang GT - January 29 - 5:43 am

  2 weeks of ownership and I love this car. This new model is COMPLETELY different from the previous Mustang. I love starting up the car & hearing the V8 engine roar. A friend of mine who has a Prius sat in the drivers seat & started the car and loved it, and chuckled & laughed all the way to his Toyota. The car is very tight, no weird noises or anything. The ride is comfortable, easy to drive around town and feel good. The engine has plenty of power & sounds awesome. The engine sound reminds me of my old 70 Mach 1 and 70 Trans Am. The handling is good, much better than any Mustang I have owned in the past. The seats are comfortable and the a/c is cold. Cool, very cool car.

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  Great Little Car For The Money - 2004 Ford Focus
  By MarkieJohn - January 29 - 2:00 am

  I recently traded in my 2000 Ford Escort ZX2 in for a 4-door Focus SE sedan. This car has plenty of room for up to 5 people. I love how you sit high in it with a clear view of the road in front. Love the sunroof and the in-dash 6-disc cd player..they are awesome. The 2.0-liter Zetec engine is peppy with the 5-speed manual, but still lacks the smoothness and precision of some of those import cars, but road noise is very minimal. This car handles great..seats lack back support. The brakes are dissapointing in this car..reminds me of the escort again. Overall, a great car for the money/value.

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  Quality &Comfort Without the Hype - 2004 Ford Crown Victoria
  By HAS - January 29 - 2:00 am

  The C. V. is used for taxis and law enforcement because of their durability, safety and performance. My last car a Mercedes E class is also used as a taxi in Europe. Great V8 power, style, safety and comfort. Simply a good car for a very good price. A V8 Bmw or Mercedes will run you $20-40K more. As for the SUV craze I dont get why people give up highway performace for off road capabilty they will never use.

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  Great Car - 2004 Ford Escape
  By chainoil - January 29 - 2:00 am

  This car is fun to drive. Its a great size, not too big or small. Handles very good. Im very happy with my decision about buying it.

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  great car - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By rona - January 29 - 2:00 am

  best suv on the market at this time. a very great improvement over previous models

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  my 1st ford in 35 yrs - 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By vegas75040 - January 28 - 6:06 pm

  this car is better than what we expected from all we read about it. cant see buying foreign cars after driving this one. The price is fair and the ride is second to none and handles well with plenty of power for a hybrid. The vision is great. The mileage is better than advertised. It came standard with so many extras. Unlike the prius this car is good looking inside and out which sold my wife. This car will put ford back on the map as a real serious contender.

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  Absolutely the best car Ive ever owned - 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By Jake - January 28 - 4:24 pm

  Im currently sitting at 110,527 miles on my 2010 Fusion Hybrid, all black and fully loaded. I couldnt be happier with a car, compared to my previous jalopy. I average 42 - 48mpg in Spring, Summer(depending on AC use) and Fall. In Winter, its closer to 33 - 35mpg, depending on how cold it is. Ive had zero trips to the dealer for repairs as nothing has failed in this vehicle. Its been scheduled maintenance all the way, combined with stellar MPG = very low cost. I bought this car one year used. Technology wise, its held up very well to what new models have. I have the blind spot sensors, backup camera(using a large 8" screen), parking aid, cross traffic sensing, USB/Bluetooth/Aux/ect. I really cant complain about this car one bit. I believe I lucked out to be at this mileage with no issues. I write this review as I finally have performed all of my 100k maintenance a little late(things just dont wear out in this ride). My brake pads werent even wore out at 100k miles. The high voltage battery appears to be very healthy as I havent experienced any deterioration yet in MPG. Acceleration and driving a hybrid in general takes some training to maximize efficiency. Its sort of weird to not feel gear shifting, but you quickly adjust to it. Its rather zippy too for a hybrid. Id love to trade up in 2017 for the next redesign, but I have a very difficult time of letting go of a good thing. Needless to say, I highly recommend this car. No, it doesnt get Prius MPG, but I prefer its styling, tech and driving over the Prius any day. If you just want a dependable car, this is it.

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  TRANSMISSION IS WACK - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By condrabo - January 28 - 11:07 am

  Ford has had major problems with the transmissions in the 2005-2006 Ford 500s. The transmissions go out with as little as 30,000 miles on the vehicle. My car is no exception to the transmission issues. The car will "buck and jump" when passing or when slowing below 40 mph. I contacted Ford and their response was since the NHTSA hasnt forced a recall, there is nothing they can do to assist with the problem. Instead of being proactive, I suppose Ford will just wait until enough people have had their fill of problems and file class action lawsuits.

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  Focusing on the Focus - 2002 Ford Focus
  By ajl - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I love the Focus. I am not a fan of domestic cars, so this should tell you something. The European flavor of the Focus comes through. The handling is excellent for a cheap, FWD car, the ride is pretty decent. Build quality is surprisingly solid for a Ford and no squeaks or rattles in 10,000 miles . I do mainly highway driving, so I get about 28mpg steady. The seats are comfortable. The car is not bad on the highway, but it is kind of buzzy at times. Not nearly as bad as the Dodge Neon, but not as smooth as a Honda. If you love to drive and your pocketbook doesnt allow a BMW (as mine doesnt) the ZX-3 Focus is your small car.