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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  Need more Bullitt Reviews - 2008 Ford Mustang
  By 08-Bullitt - June 9 - 2:52 pm

  The limited edition/build 2008 Bullitt Mustang is loaded with fun! this car has great acceleration thanks to the 3.73 gears although it effects your mileage. Ive been averaging about 17 mpg even though I put my foot into it with regularity. Another nice thing in this day of high gas prices is that the vehicle runs on either premium or regular unleaded. With regular unleaded, you supposedly lose a little torque, but I can tell you that you dont notice it. A good compromise is the plus grade if available.

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  Great - 2005 Ford Focus
  By Jim Van Damme - June 9 - 11:38 am

  Automatic tranny, gets 32 MPG in mixed driving, plummets to 28 MPG in winter. OK, its only 3 years old, but so far totally reliable. Once in a great while I get some rough idle and I checked it with my DRB tester & it says its the airflow sensor but it always resets. Bought used, probably traded because there was a big air leak into the bottom of the windshield. Some caulk cured that. Trunk lid doesnt fit well.

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  Oscurito review - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By oscurito - June 9 - 9:21 am

  I owned this for 2 and a half years, I have no complaints about this truck. I only did its regular maintenance as oil change, tune ups. The only thing I could complain about is the transmission, it slips a little when you are on the stop and go within the city but once you are on the highway your ride is very smooth!

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  I Love It! - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By Valenzuela - June 9 - 9:16 am

  Replaced my aging Toyota of 20 years with this new Ranger. Would have bought another Toyota but the local dealership was HORRIBLE. Had an excellent buying experience with Phil Long Ford. Told them the TMV price I was willing to pay, and there was no hassles. Truck is excellent. Decent power, with a good ride. I will have to take it in for minor warranty with the rear doors, as they seem to be picky in closing securely, especially when it is extremely cold. I plan on staying with Ford.

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  Nice Truck but typical problems - 2005 Ford F-150
  By David - June 8 - 11:50 pm

  As everybody else has stated the truck is quiet, smoother than a car, safe and very sharp. I pull a 27 Baja boat and the 5.4 triton has no problems. Everybody compliments on the looks inside and out. Problems: At 30,000 miles all of the brake pads tore apart and had to be replaced, then at 35,000 miles 4 fuel injectors failed (Thankfully it was still under warranty). Which is frustrating because the dealer said Ford knows this is a problem but will not recall it. When we first got the truck we had it in the shop 5x for a whinning noise in the 4X4 when it got below 25deg, they finally fixed it but really could not tell me why it was doing that. The interior sold us on this over the comp

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  2.3 PZEV ZX3 Focus 5 speed - 2003 Ford Focus
  By shopwrd - June 8 - 10:36 pm

  This car has been great. 63,000 miles (owned since new) and the engine has yet to sputter with hesitation. Average low 30s mpg and the highest Ive got so far is 41mpg from San Diego to San Jose. More than adequate power and it has never had one problem!

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  Great Truck - 2005 Ford F-150
  By Darrell - June 8 - 9:36 pm

  Great truck so far, I have people always telling me how great it looks. Only problems is when I had a trailer hitch installed they had to remove the anti-vibration device to install it.

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  01 Ranger - 2001 Ford Ranger
  By Juszkiewicz - June 8 - 10:01 am

  Purchased used as a daily driver for a migrant hi-tech worker. Reliable as rain in Seattle winter. Pushing 78-80K by end of 2008. No unscheduled repairs, 17.3 mpg overall in mixed driving in Chiago area including many winter days in 4x4 High Mode. Highway mileage > 21 MPG. Comfortable cab, roomy for 2 with extened cab for vacation drives. Definitely purchase another. Recommend to others. Not a sophisticated vehicle by any means but reliabale and robust.

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  Fun in the Sun - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By ReefDiver - June 8 - 10:00 am

  Overall I love my Sport Trac, I use it for kayak diving which is very gear intensive and, as you can imagine, wet and sandy. The bed allows me to keep the dirty things out back while my leather interior doesnt have to deal with any of it. If I had one complaint it would be fuel economy but I knew I wasnt buying a Honda

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  Great Truck! - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By Jack - June 7 - 10:00 pm

  I have had this truck for 5 years and have had no problems. Runs great. The mileage could be better, but isnt bad considering the 4.0l motor.