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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  ex chevy owner, all others are junk - 2004 Ford F-150
  By mr. kay - January 4 - 2:00 am

  best by far. makes all others look bad

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  Great Little Car - 2003 Ford Focus
  By gohlson - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive really enjoyed my Focus. It not really a fancy car, but its nicely built, solid and dependable. Im a fairly big man and I can get in it comfortably without having to do a lot of contortions to fit in the seat. The headroom is excellent and it is not cramped at all. It has a nice comfortable ride, too. If you have to commute a ways to work, this is the car for you. Id had the car about a week and had to make a trip from Kansas City to Mitchell, SD.(about 400 miles and did so one tank of gas.)Ill definitely buy another one some day.

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  my best new car ever - 2004 Ford Focus
  By glen - January 4 - 2:00 am

  At 6 foot ten and 350 lbs it isnt easy finding a car that i can fit into much less be comfortable in. imagine my surprise when the car turns out to be fun to drive and, is problem free. On a 900 mile trip i even got more MPG than ever. 33 while cruising at 75. WOW !!! This car just continues to be a joy. Color me in for a svt if they add an automatic.

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  Its not all that bad. - 2004 Ford Taurus
  By K,B. - January 4 - 2:00 am

  This is a car you just drive. It will probaly last forever and remember it is a nascar car. And it is good looking.And it comes down to this a car is a car.My other car is a truck and the wife loves it. I got stuck with the car it;s not all bad.

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  Great vehicle, but a gas guzzler.. - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By Kevin1961 - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I love my 2003 Ford Explorer. Its a very safe vehicle with great power. But the gas mileage is horrendous. Right now I am lucky to be getting 15 MPG on the highway. I travel over a mountain everyday so that probably takes some of the fuel, but its also Hawaii...Aloha

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  Tom - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By ford owner - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car last month and I am very pleased with the car / truck / all around performance, and appearance. I have had a lot of nice comments about the car.

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  Excellent - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By Ford123456789 - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Excellent performance in all conditions, most towing capacity and torque in its class, huge interior, powerful engine, excellent interior and exterior design, best Expedition yet

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  Giving Ford another chance. - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By jwalker - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Did not want to go back to Ford due to past vehicles with shoddy workmanship. 50 - 70k seemed to be all they were good for (Vs. 217k for a toyota van that never needed any major repair). Could not find an acceptable seating configuration and cargo area with the Sequoia, Escalade, Armada. Cargo room in minivans were a joke. This vehicle is great fun to drive with family of 5 + friends. My ONLY complaints about this vehicle are the horrible gas mileage (currently getting about 11 mpg around town) and the break dust on the front wheels that constanltly keep the wheels looking like I just drove out from a coal road.

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  Great Ride - Poor Brakes - 2005 Ford F-150
  By D. Whiddon - January 4 - 1:10 am

  Very enjoyable to drive but I have had to replace the brake rotors twice in 15 months. Brake dust is also a nuisance. Fit and finish are nice, very comfortable to drive. Gas mileage is poor - but you have to expect that when you purchase this vehicle.

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  Best decision Ive made to date - 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Rich Murphy - January 3 - 8:10 am

  Ive driven my Escape Hybrid for about a month and a half and for about 2000 miles. I love it! The quiet drive during electric only mode is the greatest. I have had my best mpg just this week. To work at 5 am in the morning I achieved 32.1 mpg. Wow! In the heat of the day going home it is still impressive at 28.9. (in traffic and the A/C on). The navigation system is really cool. My bro-in-law and I have named it/her "Jen". The radio and the CD is awesome. The paint job is excellent and the fit and finish is excellent as well. This "truck" rides like a fine car and handles great. I love the gas reminder telling how much the thing will go before empty. Id buy again in a heart beat.