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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  Surprisingly high quality! - 2005 Ford F-150
  By Shinbo - September 2 - 2:43 am

  This was my very first truck that I have ever purchased. After researching and test driving all the competitors (Silverado, Ram, Tundra), I have absolutely no regrets about buying an F-150. The body style is attractive and burly. Ride is quite comfortable, and the overall quality just surpasses everything that I was expecting.

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  1st RED Car - 2007 Ford Focus
  By MIKE - September 1 - 4:26 pm

  Very nice car. My wife wanted red and got it. Loves the sporty look and interior design, and location of accessories. We have a daughter that had one and liked it so we also purchased one. At this time nothing has gone wrong with it and I hope nothing will. I would purchase a second new one if I didnt need my truck for hauling.

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  First 4000 miles - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By klaus Meyer - September 1 - 12:40 pm

  I took delivery of the car on October 15th abd drove it from Seattle to Palm Springs and back. The ride is very smooth and the seats are very comfortable. This is truly a luxury car like ride . The average mileage I got was 20.5 miles p/gallon on regular gas. We were 2 persons with 4 suitcases plus misc. items such as an icebox ,golf clubs etc. The accelleration in the mountains was very good and I left it on cruise at 70 miles when possible. I like the variable transmission a lot and you do not notice any hesitation at all, and it operates in such a smooth way. Before I bought the car I drove the Lexus RX 330, Volvo CX 70, Cadillac SRX and the Ford gave me the best value for the money.

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  Satisfied Customer - 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid
  By woorick - August 31 - 11:54 am

  Driven car 5,000 miles in three months. Gas mileage averages 42 mpg; 44 mpg on local streets & highways in hilly northeast OH; and 38 mpg on interstates at 70-75 mph. Similar mileage in Adirondack Mountains of NY. Compared C-Max with Prius V when making purchase. Prius has more cargo space, but otherwise cant compare. C-Max design, gas mileage, driving comfort, fit & finish, noise levels, enjoyability, sight expanse are all superior. Pick-up entering traffic is excellent. MyFord Sync is finicky, but learnable. Entertainment, climate use are excellent. Phone sync is poor with many mistaken dialing command responses. Navigation is a disaster with inability to find many destinations.

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  Perfect so far - 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By PaCOP - August 31 - 8:10 am

  I have this vehcle about a month and thus far it is great. The Sport Trac seems the perfect fit as I wanted something between a full size pick up and a compact. The beds a little small but still capable of hauling 4x8 sheets when fitted with a couple 2x4 in the notches in the bed. The interior is roomy and comfortable. Not extravagant but I am still satisfied. MPG could be improved, so far getting 16mpg but would prefer if Ford could up that to 20. The V6 has been adequate and the 5 speed auto is smooth. satelite radio is nice. The molded bed w/ compartments and tiedowns is well designed. Overall look is very appealing.

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  2015 F150 New Purchase - 2015 Ford F-150
  By Jeff Bruce - August 31 - 6:01 am

  Tried all major brands of 1/2 ton trucks. Ford is annoyingly quiet, VERY quick, and as comfortable as your favorite chair. Im 63" and back seat has more room than many midsized car front seats. Have had truck for 8-months. It has been in the shop for a couple of weeks. Seems the transmission pump for the Auto on/off feature was faulty. Dealership had a problem finding/fixing issue. Also, hit a deer. People concerned about the aluminum body, it stood up just fine. Deer broke out grill, and bumper. Truck didnt crumple like a soda can as many feared.

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  Ford Explorer Sport-Trac Ride n Drive - 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Wendell Toland Jr - August 30 - 11:23 pm

  This vehicle has all of the refinements and upgrades of the 2006 Explorer and then some. The V-6 is smooth with the torque-rise perfectly fitted to the 5-speed automatic transmission. The seats are very supportive and provide ample room in the front-row for a large frame/bodied person like me. All controls are clearly identifiable and are not distracting to my concentration while driving. Fuel economy is excellent, notwithstanding the fact this is a SUV with 4X4 capability. With the intelligent 4 wheel drive system, I had no problems, whatsoever, on slippery surfaces. With the optional safety system(s) which include the side impact and airbag canopy, I feel secure. Great vehicle!

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  Pony is back! - 2005 Ford Mustang
  By topconbob - August 30 - 6:06 pm

  I havent had this much fun driving since 1966. The sound the acceleartion and the looks from people assure me I made the right choice. The handling and ride are better than expected, the engine is everythng Ford said it would be.

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  NOT for use on gravel roads!!! - 2016 Ford Fusion
  By Kris L - August 29 - 3:16 pm

  This car is probably great if you never drive on gravel roads. Unfortunately, I drive on gravel everyday. This car sits very low to the ground. I have even had trouble with scraping the bottom on sudden rises when driving in town. On gravel, I have to be extremely careful not to drag the car when driving over ruts or potholes. Even worse, this car is very prone to getting gravel stuck in the rotors, causing a loud, irritating, screeching noise. This started for the first time when I had around 400 miles on the car. I now have less than 3000 miles on the car, and I have had this problem several times since. A week ago, it got so bad that I finally had it checked out because I was afraid there was something more wrong with the car than just a rock stuck in the rotor. I took it in to the dealer and, sure enough, there was a piece of gravel stuck in the rotor, causing the car to screech. I had the rotors cleaned, at my own expense, as the warranty wouldnt cover it. Today, one week later, I hopped in the car and guess what, its screeching again!!! Very frustrating to have to deal with this with a brand-new car. I dont understand what it is about this car that is causing this problem. I have always driven on gravel roads daily, and I have always done so in a car this size or smaller, but have never had problems like this before. If I had known that I would be listening to this car screech before it had even had its first oil change, I would NEVER have bought it! If you live on a gravel road, keep shopping!

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  Love it! - 2008 Ford Focus
  By Cathy - August 29 - 6:46 am

  This was the first car I test drove in my search for a low mileage car. Liked it from the start. Tried almost all other cars in its class, almost bought a couple of different ones then decided to go back and test the Focus to see where it stood. Loved it. Best car for the price. As long as it stays this way I will be extremely happy. Everyone loves the look of it.