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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  Love my FLEX - 2009 Ford Flex
  By island girl - May 4 - 8:25 am

  My Suburban died and I needed a car so I saw the Flex and loved it but bought an Explorer. Gave the Explorer to my teens and got myself the Flex! I love the car. I was not ready to give up the space of a Suburban so the Flex fits that need but I feel like I am driving a luxury sedan! The extra features of the LTD make it a great transistion car from the mom carpool to the adults have fun car! It handles island driving around all the curves and pot holes just great! A 6"3" friend of my son told him it was the most comfortable back seat he had ever been in! My teenage son loves the sound system and sits in the driveway playing around with the bass and tremble! The Flex is MY car!

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  Best auto investment yet - 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Joe Sonnier - May 3 - 7:23 am

  I bought my Sport Trac w/ 44k miles on it, outside of routine maintenance the only thing Ive had to replace was a new hub due to off roading. The interior is very comfortable, great for commuting, camping, and overall driving. I live in Alaska and I havent had a vehicle this reliable in the winter (started right up in -20 weather!) It has room for the kids, but extra hauling space in the bed, as well as great towing capacity for its size. Excellent truck for family camping trips and small enough to take on most ATV trails provided theres not too much mud!

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  very satisfied - 2008 Ford Focus
  By bockman - May 2 - 10:45 pm

  Seeing the ever rising gas prices forced me to get rid of my 15 mpg averaging Equinox. I was going to look at the 4 cylinder Escape but the Focus caught my eye. I love the car overall. I took it for 2 long trips already. The gas mileage is phenomenal. The engine is smooth during acceleration and is barely audible at cruising speeds. It also has enough power to keep up with traffic whether it being with one or 5 passengers aboard. Great car overall. The SYNC system is awesome. Its the best feature Ford ever came up with especially with a new cell phone ban while driving law that is coming to Ontario.

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  Best car ever - 1991 Ford Explorer
  By fordforlife - May 2 - 12:07 am

  I know raves about a 91 might not seem relevant to newer model purchasers, but I wanted to weigh in on the quality of Ford trucks. My family has never owned another brand. Im the original owner of this Explorer, it has over 210,000 (hard) miles on it, and the alternator -- which went out last winter -- is the only major thing Ive ever had to replace/fix on it. The power windows are starting to malfunction, but the ac/heater works fine, so I compensate. I want a new car, because Im starting to hesitate to take this one on long road trips (still 4x in it though), but feel duty bound to run it into the ground first. I might actually cry when I have to let it go.

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  2000 Focus SE Wagon - 2000 Ford Focus
  By Ron - May 1 - 9:43 pm

  Ive had it almost 4 yrs & 28K miles. Its been a dependable vehicle, thats fun to drive & economical. Its only been scheduled maintenance costs & gas.

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  so far so good - 2009 Ford Escape
  By mauijewels - May 1 - 9:18 pm

  I love having my new car. I had to turn in my honda accord leased car yesterday after already having my ford escape for a month, and I hated just driving the honda down to the dealership. it felt so foreign. the fuel started out at 16.7 mpg according to the computer on the car, and now I am at 20.2 mpg. i (along w/ my kids) love the ambiant lights, the leather (I am a vegetarian, and didnt want leather originally) I love the stereo, and the way the car drives.

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  2009 Ford Fusion V6-6speed auto - 2009 Ford Fusion
  By pkracing - May 1 - 5:36 pm

  Awesome car, very well built, fun to drive, when you lay on the gas this little v-6 roars and keeps on pulling all the way up to the redline(6500 and sometimes 7000 yikes)hope it has good strong rods in it lol.

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  Ford is Top-Dog! - 2009 Ford Fusion
  By Christine - May 1 - 1:19 pm

  LOVE THIS CAR! I bought the V6 SEL sport package... because 18" are MUCH better than 17". I am glad I chose the V6 because it doesnt take much for this car to accelerate! I love the cloverleaf entrance ramps now!

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  6 Months and Perfection - 2008 Ford F-150
  By Tex77 - May 1 - 9:09 am

  So far a great truck. Purchased when fuel was over 4dollars/gal and when 09s were coming end= what a deal!! Chrome, cruise, automatic for 11K :). Love the truck, not a single problem.

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  Bought Used - 1994 Ford Probe
  By Anthony - April 30 - 9:42 pm

  I bought this car in November of 08 with 180,000 miles on it. Guy just didnt want it anymore and was only asking $1000 cash. Im now at 190,500 miles and Ive just replaced the original transmission. I could tell she was used as a racer, but I thought with a little TLC, I could get her back to being a decent car for all the work she had to have done to her. Ive put in a new distributor, ignition control module, cap, rotor, egr sensor, egr valve, fuel filter, fuel pump, bosch wires and bosch iridium plugs in her. She runs like a champ and I dont foresee any major work anytime in the near future. Ill turn 200,000 miles no problem.