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 Truck - 2003 Ford Ranger
  By givedamony - October 5 - 10:00 am

  I always wanted a supercab if i bought a truck. I only qualified to buy a single cab truck and i bought the Ford Ranger Single Cab Edge 5spd 3.0 6 cyl. I have had it not even a total of 24 hours and i am in love...

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  EB Expedition - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By A P - October 5 - 10:00 am

  Solid feel and excellent ride. Wheels picked up/showed break dust but fixed with the addition of Kleenwheels. Gas mileage is a little better than expected (18.5 Hwy & 15.2 Local). Makes long trips easy

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  Love this car - 2003 Ford Escape
  By Honda Girl - October 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive only got 3,000 miles on this car, so Ill have to put in an update later this year, but I love this car. Its fun to drive, easy to get in and out of and has plenty of space for everyone. Its my first Ford or SUV and I do have a fear of reliability issues but I hope for the best. Ive had problems with my Hondas and Toyotas so they werent perfect either.

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  Performance - 2003 Ford Escape
  By Escape4ME - October 5 - 10:00 am

  I find the Escape to have a rough ride. I previously owned a 4x4 2dr Sports Explorer and the comfort level was much superior. With the Escape you seem to feel all the bumps in the road. Also, the steering wheel has buttons, plastic type,built into the sides of the steering wheel and my fingers from time to time get hungup or caught inthem. Otherwise I am a happy camper.

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  Frustrated With This 2001 Ford Escape - 2001 Ford Escape
  By Capricorn - October 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive had to take it back to the shop for a recall item & some minor stuff. Minor has now started to become major. Before you buy this, think about quality. I can assure you that Ford doesnt care once you go pass the warranty period. Ive had to get the spark plugs replaced, #1 engine coil, tires & brake pads. Im still having an acceleration & misfire prob which I was told that the malfunc was somewhere in the #1 cylinder. The tech said it could be anything. That stupid eng light has been on more times than I can remember. Hard for you to get to some of your spark plugs & coils-its gonna cost to remove that eng intake & replace those expensive coils.

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  one of the best little cars - 2003 Ford Focus
  By jim ledger - October 5 - 10:00 am

  i got the focus 4mo ago to drive back and forth to work for the gas milage. since then i have gone to fla. in the focus and got 35mpg. i average about 33mpg going to work, I really enjoy driving this car, my wife has a crown vic, and would rather drive the focus, because it is easer to get in and out of tight spots and has a lot of power for a 4cyl.

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  SVT ROCKS - 2003 Ford F-150
  By PAT - October 5 - 10:00 am

  These Trucks are badass! 380 H.p!! I just put a chip and bigger pulley in, THIS THING ROCKS! ! !

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  Got me! - 2008 Ford Focus
  By ocsurfrr - October 3 - 6:23 pm

  After months of deliberation I finally bought a Focus. I needed an economic vehicle since my lifted Chevy is sucking up gas. So for the right price I bought the 4dr auto se sedan for 12,900 after hours of battling the dealer. Car is amazing, great interrior design. I am 6,4 and fit in it fine. Can also fit 4 buddies inside comfortably as well. Gas mileage is great. I never thought I would ever own a Ford and now they got me! I have nothing but great things to say about this vehicle. Seriously how can you complain about a nice, attractive, and sporty vehicle for under 13k?

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  Absolute Underachiever - 2012 Ford Focus
  By Nick - October 3 - 5:15 pm

  The 2012 Ford Focus is the Detroit Lions of cars. Unreliable, ugly, underachieving, and sad. Funnily enough, theyre both from Detroit and the two most stressful and irritating parts of my life. Most of the Ford Focus issues stem from the problematic Automatic-Manual Dual-Clutch transmission. The purpose of this transmission was to increase MPG, which it does, but at a ver large cost. The transmission causes the car to constantly jerk, shudder, and roll backwards on hills. Personally, this isnt even close t the worst part about my Focus. My Focus decides when to start. Yep, you heard that right, it decides. Sometimes it takes me 10-12 turns of the key to start the damn thing. This is caused by the TCM (Transmission Control Module) which is the little computer inside the car that controls the gears. This little computer will often not register that my car is in park, and wont let me turn it on. Not only is this very problematic, but will probably end up with shelling out handfuls of cash to the dealership. Another cool driving "feature" is that the car will occasionally get stuck at 4000-6000 rpm and wont let you accelerate past 25 mph. this is incredibly terrifying when it happens, but I guess is part of the 2012 Ford Focus experience (tm). The Focus also has the most poorly designed interior that I have seen in my entire life. The cloth that the seats are made out of stains when touched by water. You know, just that substance that covers over 70% of the Earth and falls from the gosh darn sky. Another issue is that the auxiliary port makes its home in the glovebox. This leaves you with two options. Drive around with the glovebox open like a goober, or subject your aux cord to heavy strain and eventual breakage. While we are on the topic of phone related things, there is nowhere to put your phone in the car. This car was made in 2012, everyone and their mothers own phones. Overall, the interior feels incredibly cheap and uncomfortable. Honestly, all you really need is a car that takes you from point A to point B, and this thing cant even do that. At least being a Lions fan doesnt cost 8,000+ dollars.

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  In love - 2007 Ford Fusion
  By 250sx - October 3 - 12:36 pm

  I bought my Fusion after test driving the 4 and 6 and the awd. I settled on the awd v6. It felt that it drove through bumps and didnt hop like I felt the fwd does. The v6 is almost too much for stop and go, and the brakes are super sticky. Im not too fond of the tall back end. Im 62" and have a hard time backing up. Also the drinks are right under your shifter or your arm. And the window is so tall I cant put my arm on it.