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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  Rounded - 2007 Ford Fusion
  By keithfoster - February 24 - 10:21 am

  This car is fantastic. I bought the car brand new on August of 06 and it now has 140k miles on it. I have had almost no issues with the car. The temperature read on the engine went out and the struts are bad, thats about it. The gas mileage is great, the car is spacious and quick (not terribly fast, but quick enough to get the job done), and it is reliable. If you are looking to buy this car and you arent sure since its an older car and may be high mileage, I hope that this helps you.

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  2010 Fusion Sport - 2010 Ford Fusion
  By Maurice Lemmond - February 21 - 9:59 pm

  I really enjoy my Fusion. It has great power, fun to drive and very comfortable. The 3.5 liter engine has all the power anyone would ever need and gets respectable fuel mileage. I get about 16-18 in town and mid to high twenties on the highway.

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  Ford !! congrats you got it right - 2015 Ford Mustang
  By Michael Kenitzer - February 21 - 5:01 pm

  What an awesome car, the 2015 mustang is a work of art. the interior is simply amazing, the body lines are breath taking. I drove the other two pony cars. there is no mistake, the mustang wins hands down. In every way !!

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  Love my Harley F150 - 2003 Ford F-150
  By T Mac - February 21 - 2:06 pm

  I cant say enough about this truck a I absolutely love it. I park the truck in the winter as I live in the Great White North. The only problem I have is in the summer is I cant keep my 17 year old daughter from not driving it ,she loves the truck too. The truck has lots of power pulled 7000LBS trailers with it no problems, passing cars like they were parked.This truck is a real head turner and can see this truck staying in the family for along time.If you can get one do it ,you will not be disappointed.

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  Excellent small SUV - 2014 Ford Escape
  By bobby_boise - February 20 - 3:19 pm

  Im amazed to hear the complaints by others of bad gas mileage and the Sync system. Ill address those first. A 2012 Escape with the V-6 has much less HP and torque and will only get about 19mpg city. Our 2014 2.0 Eco Boost gets around 22 to 23 in the city commute with 240 HP, its got more power than my 1985 Mustang GT. It scoots! Plus the MPG is 15% higher than its V-6 predecessor. What about that isnt awesome. The engine is so good you can find it in the Range Rover Evoque at 40-50k. Any complaints here just cant be non-agenda driven. The SYNC system is very intuitive to us. No problems at all. Im not really sure what is so difficult to understand.

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  I love smoking V8s in my Sleeper Mustang - 2015 Ford Mustang
  By 1showoff - February 19 - 7:46 pm

  I spent over 100 hours researching the ecoboost Mustang prior to ordering from the factory. I have the Automatic with the performance package. If your on the fence to order the new Mustang, make sure not to get the base ecoboost. I have had numerous people take pictures of the car and always turns heads. I own 4 other Mustangs and this will run circles around my old 5.0 GTs. This is a sleeper. I love the Oxford White and the black rims. I already smoked a Corvette and Charger. Looking forward to flash tuning the car and getting another 60-80 HP out the 4 banger. Also, I was skeptical of the gas mileage. I have a tall .355 gear and I can get 30+ miles per gallon easy. Love this car.

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  Sporty....controlled aggression thats also a work of art :) - 2015 Ford Mustang
  By nagsacura - February 13 - 11:09 am

  took delivery of this few days back. It is everything I liked about previous versions PLUS stuff that I had wished for ... like the feeling of luxury without compromizing the sportyness. Its pure exhilaration, as this beauty accelerates like a wild one by the looks yet a seasoned tamed pony by the responsiveness.

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  The best American muscle car ever - 2013 Ford Mustang
  By chrisrogers - February 10 - 6:34 pm

  I was blown away by the performance, looks, and quality of this car. The interior components are not cheaply made and ill fitting like the Fords of the past. Everything is top quality and controls are ergonomic. This car is very fast, but also nimble and predictable in turns, unlike Mustangs of the past. I really love the aggressive look, still better looking than the ugly 2015 Models.

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  Still love it three years in - 2012 Ford Fusion
  By cottre22 - February 9 - 5:08 pm

  I got my 2012 Ford Fusion almost exactly three years ago (end of January 2012). The last time I purchased a car before the Ford was a 2005 Honda Civic. I bought the Civic for affordability but I was never really that into it. I love my Fusion. The best thing about it is the pickup. Thats something that you notice when youre coming from a Civic. The Fusion has 175 hp minimum (depending on your model) and so its easy to get up to speed when getting on the highway. My car is FWD but it handles okay in the snow. Its bigger and sturdier than my Civic so it doesnt slide around the road as much every time the wind blows. The "L" gear has also come in handy for getting out of snow banks.

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  LOVE IT! - 2015 Ford Escape
  By lilbit24 - February 8 - 8:48 pm

  I made the mistake of buying a 2015 Forester and owned for less than 30 days. Traded in on the Escape and have been VERY happy! The ride, comfort, technology and safety features on the Escape FAR surpass the Forester and all others in this class.