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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  sweet - 2004 Ford Focus
  By naterd - June 11 - 10:00 am

  congatulations to ford!bought ford focus 2-20-04. was somewhat apprehensive due to past reports.this car is great,fun to drive and well built this car rides better than my merceadies,was pleased to find out that consumer reports rated it #1 small car.

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  Ford SVT - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By Louis Michels - June 11 - 10:00 am

  Even though i didnt or havent driven one, my experiance in one was pretty awesome. Especially if that person your riding with knows how to drive it. It has great handling and its acceleration is awesome also. I hope to own one in the near future and possible the 2005 model when it comes out.

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  Ford Reinvents the American Muscle Car - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By butchguy - June 11 - 10:00 am

  As a a guy who grew up in the 60s American cars have, for along time, been a major disappointment! It seems all the American manufacturers could produce was Japanese wannabes. Then enter the new Mustang! Wow! What a trip. Thats a real car. The sound of that thobbing engine and the rush at takeoff. Man thats a true Muscle car in the finest of American tradition. This is the first Ford bought in my family in three generations. So far it beats anything GM could even dream about. So long GTO and GP. This car even makes the old Corvette look kind of ordinary!

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  fordexplorer - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By kevin lacasse - June 11 - 10:00 am

  our first brand new suv has been a wonderful experience so far, only two weeks in the ownership though but looking good. the dealership i went thru was kind and courteous, thanks Lafayette Ford.

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  Mustang Sally - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By arblanken - June 11 - 8:08 am

  It look me years and years to get my Mustang. Wanted a 66 because of the body style but had to wait for the restore until "my body style" was available. Love the car, the gas mileage is ok with the tough gas prices lately, but love the car!

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  Just Good - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By Brian Schrock - June 11 - 2:07 am

  The car is a great commuter car. Not really a quick car (0-60mph 7-7.3 sec) from my experience (I have an auto). The tires are loud on the freeway and can get annoying on long trips. The ride comfort on the freeway is good, but a litle stiff on city roads. Also there is a lot of body roll while cornering at over 18 mph. The transmission shifts nice and smooth, but it is not the quickest shifting transmission. The fuel economy is not bad in the city I get 18-20 mpg, but if I use cruise control on the freeway I average 24-28 mpg.

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  Love my car - 1999 Ford Mustang
  By ebonyrebel - June 10 - 9:48 pm

  I got this car as a junior in college. Id always wanted a Mustang since I was a child. The roar of the pipes and the overall sexiness of the car was totally appealing to me. Ive put a lot of highway miles on it due to college and traveling home over the years. As a young woman driver on the road alone a lot its been very reassuring to know that my Stang is realiable. Only work Ive had done is a new alternator and now I need a started. Thats it.

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  "ludicrous speed" - 2008 Ford Shelby GT500
  By FAT CAT - June 10 - 1:53 pm

  I have always been a mustang lover, and this one takes the cake for me. Its my third mustang, I have only had this car for 2 months now and I absolutely love it. No bad experiences so far. It takes me about 15 minutes just to get in the car to start it because I have to stare. lots of mods make this car outperform the KR for a fraction of the price. I have never loved mustangs for their great creature comforts, so people should get over that one, and the performance honors its forebearers. Shelby picked a good one on which to put his name once again.

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  Good, but could be the absolute best - 2006 Ford F-150
  By tom21769 - June 10 - 12:23 pm

  This week I traded in my first F150, a one-owner 1994 green XL 4x4, for a new silver 2006 SLX 4x4. In other words, a slightly upgraded version of the same truck. The old truck had served me well for 12 years. It still had original parts except for the water pump and gas tank. Its last task was over Memorial Day weekend when I used it to yank 25 feet of corrugated steel drainage pipe, 2 diameter, out from a heavy clay pond embankment. Id like to have kept it another 2-5 years, but with 2 teenage drivers in the family, I wanted the improved safety engineering of the newer trucks.

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  03 V6 - 2003 Ford Mustang
  By lilbit205 - June 9 - 5:31 pm

  I bought this Mustang in 07. So far it has not given me any major problems. I really enjoy driving it. Its fun, stylish, and gets pretty good gas mileage.