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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  540hp and great looks - 2010 Ford Shelby GT500
  By mike - May 9 - 10:03 pm

  Traded 98 cobra for this one and glad I did. Looks much better than the 07- 09 model. Hold on when you floor it. Did so with a friend who couldnt breath during takeoff.

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  Really fun compact SUV - 2006 Ford Escape
  By adrock - May 9 - 6:50 pm

  Weve had our Escape for about a month now and we love it. The 4 cylinder engine is peppy and provides a fun drive but it often needs to down shift when going uphill on the highway. The fuel economy is better than I expected with this being our first SUV (avg. mid 20s). The comfort and ride are amazing and it definitely has a ton of room and cargo area, probably the highest in the class. Cant wait till winter in NH to try out the AWD feature. Highly recommended to anyone in the market.

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  Many problems.. - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By Marla - May 9 - 3:40 am

  I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle. Power steering going out, told the rack n pinion need to be replaced. Brakes are a major problem with this vehicle.. had them replaced twice so far, along with rotos, only 80,000 miles. First set of brakes under 15k miles. Now, my fuel pump went out.. only had this car 3 years! Ford will not stand up to their product! Grinding and cracking noises in steering.

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  Great family car - 2008 Ford Taurus X
  By raezmom - May 8 - 3:33 pm

  I purchased this vehicle without even test driving it or looking at it. I was overseas and had no choice. I was a little worried about buying it without even a glance at it but I am totally happy. We drove it from Florida to California with a family of 5. It was a great ride and we absolutely love our car. I was very impressed with the look and feel of it. Great family car!

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  Awesome car!! - 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By sledgehammer44 - May 8 - 12:42 pm

  Ive owned the car for roughly 1800 miles now. The first few tanks it was averaging 38mpg but on my current tank it jumped up to 43mpg. I live in an area that is mountainous so I feel this is very good for my area and it would seem there is a break in period to get better mpg. As for the rest of the car I think it is fantastic. Lots of tech toys, seats are comfortable, rides smooth and yet it handles turn very well. I never thought I would own a Hybrid, because I think the Prius looks like pooh, but Ford really hit one out of the park with this car!

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  Not quite what I expected - 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By a cooper - May 8 - 1:53 am

  The interior is not well designed. The door opener is ok, but the grip on the door is awkward; its hard to grab to keep the door from swinging too far, and at a bad position to close. The interior/exterior temperature gauges are small and hard to read. The message center is in the middle of the dash, but the speedo is hard to read through the steering wheel. The parking brake release is hard to reach and cramped. There is no indication on the dash as to what gear youre in. There is no way to manually shift out of the overdrive(s). The flip-over rack was bent and the locks wouldnt work. When you flip the larger back seat down, there is a big gap between the back of the seat/cab.

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  Fun in the sun! - 2008 Ford Focus
  By BenAZ - May 7 - 12:40 am

  It has been a fun drive so far. I love to take turns at fast speeds, and not hear a tire squeak. It has plenty of power and can be pretty zippy.

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  Absolutely outstanding ... exceeding expectations - 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By rjent - May 6 - 10:51 pm

  I ordered a Hybrid Titanium model. I like driving the top of the line, but didnt want to go plug in. This car is just amazing. In town (small rural town) I am achieving over 50 on most trips. Some of the shortest trips of less than 2 miles will vary from high 30s to low 50s. Interstate is in the 40s and back road highways are returning just about EPA rating.

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  Extreme Commuter - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By psychchaplain - May 6 - 8:10 pm

  I run this sedan back and forth between Northern Alabama and Northern New Jersey several times each month... thats a 12 hour drive. At 75-80 mph it runs at 28 mpg. The seats are both firm and comfortable. The trunk is huge. Dealers in Alabama and New Jersey have been great about service. At 50k miles, I have had absolutely no trouble whatsoever.

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  Id buy another - 2001 Ford Focus
  By McKendrick74 - May 6 - 10:00 am

  This is a great, fun car for $15,000. Ive had this car for two and a half years, and if I stay in this price bracket for my next vehicle, Ill definitely consider another Focus. In fact, I may just keep this one (rather than trading it in) as a toy to tweak and play with. I compared this to a Grand Am and a Cavalier, but the Focus offered more for less money. Two thumbs up to Ford this time around.