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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  Everythings Great Except the MPG - 2008 Ford Fusion
  By Mark H. - August 25 - 5:49 pm

  Bought a 2008 Fusion SEL V6 used with 30K miles on it (my first American car, only Honda and Toyotas before this). Great looking car, great performance, plenty of power, very nice amenities. Time will tell on the reliability. My only beef with this car is the gas mileage. I dont know how in the world people here are stating they get 25 to 32 MPG out of this V6 unless that is going 65 mph on cruise control without AC running. I am getting a horrible 19- 21 MPG with mixed city/highway driving and I drive it very easily, rarely floor it or fully utilize the V6. I will probably get an accord when I pay this off just because of the poor gas mileage.

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  Great Car - 2001 Ford Mustang
  By Ron - August 25 - 11:04 am

  I bought the car used with 65k miles. It was in great shape with exception of the leather driver seat and a small leak from the power steering hose. The leak never materialized to anything and the seat continued to deteriorate. Thats the worst of it. Otherwise it was reliable, fast, and very fun. The gas mileage was better than my mini van. I did sell it, but wish I didnt. It was a great car.

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  Love this car - 2011 Ford Mustang
  By jim gibson - August 25 - 10:27 am

  When I drive it I get 29 mpg. Wife only gets 24-25-mpg. If you are 62" with long legs there is not enough room for you. Other than that its fine.

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  Loyal Ford owner with new Edge - 2010 Ford Edge
  By mjmcggolf - August 25 - 5:07 am

  Limited AWD. Traded in a 07 Explorer and happy so far. Styling inside & out is perfect. Fit & finish OK. Comfortable ride with plenty of leg room in both front & back. 19.4 MPG so far in mixed driving.

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  2006 Focus ZX3 2 dr Hatchback - 2006 Ford Focus
  By starrynight548 - August 24 - 5:33 pm

  I like this car, especially how easy it is to maneuver in tight areas. Brakes are noisy, took it in for check up & was told squeaky brakes were normal for this car. I do wish I got better gas mileage, and wish the back seats would fold down flat (as the dealer assured me they would, but they dont)

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  Review - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Bella - August 24 - 2:27 pm

  My flex is very comfortable, plenty of room for my family of five. The third row seat can fit adults. The internal voice activated communication system is great. What I dont like is that there are a lot of blind spots I have difficulty seeing past the support post on the passenger side. We have had the car for about a year now and I am starting to notice that there are whistling sounds when I drive and the breaks are squealing, which the dealership cannot replicate so they havenÂ’t fixed it. If I had it to do over Im not sure if I would buy a flex again.

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  Great Truck! - 2009 Ford F-150
  By MTDC - August 24 - 10:58 am

  Just picked up a nice used 09 F-150 Super Crew 4x4 with the 5.4 V-8. Been a Dodge guy for many years and owned several of them. 8 Rams to be exact. I love them Hemi power but mpg at $3.00 a gallon and driving 24K miles + per year in the Mountains of Montana is a factor. Averaged 17.8 mpg driving home from the dealer, 25,000 miles on my new ride. Thats setting cruise at 78 on the freeway and at 73 on the highway. Mountain terrain, couple of passes and rolling hill terrain. Thats a 4.5 mpg boost from my previous Dodge Hemi. I am very impressed with the new body style, inside and out. Finally Ford figured out a way of making the interior look less cheap and more inviting. A+ so far

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  91 Cayman GT - 1991 Ford Escort
  By The_Green_Goblin - August 24 - 1:36 am

  I am the 2nd documented owner, the First owner had a 16 year old child that did not know how to handle a car like this or appreciate it. I bought it, rebuilt it, and it blows my LX out of the water as far as performance, comfort and styling. The fact it shares the BG Chassis with Mazda makes it a bit easier to find aftermarket performance parts. I have put about 700 miles on my car since June, and I love it. All K&N Filters, 205-55ZR15s, and it handles like a dream. Comes factory with Tokico struts, which is a great manufacturer of suspension equip. I absolutely love it and plan on keeping it to hand down to my son. Not a Mustang, but I blow by those anyways. I recommend it 100%!

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  1994 Bronco XLT, most awesome truck ever - 1994 Ford Bronco
  By Jim - August 23 - 6:26 pm

  This was the truck I grew up in, literally. My folks bought it when I was in high school and I inherited it from them. It currently has 214,000 miles on the original engine (5.0) and transmission (E4od). I just finished a 500 mile weekend trip over the weekend for wedding stuff, and it never missed a beat. Ever. Even with all this mileage I set the cruise at 63 mph and it chugged along all night and got 15 mpg too boot! This truck has never been abused, and it shows. Thats NOT too say that it hasnt been worked very hard. I tow crap, carry crap, run crap over, and drive through crap. This sucker is indestructible. You will never go wrong.

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  Ford TaurusGL 1995 - 1995 Ford Taurus
  By Calvin P Bear - August 23 - 6:11 pm

  Ive got 225,000 miles, and the car still runs smoothly, getting 27 mpg highway, which is mostly what I do. Over the years Ive replaced most of what was attached to the engine: radiator, alternator, power steering pump, recharged AC. The worst was the paint job which flaked off in several places 5 years ago. Fortunately I can paint cars, and its as shiny as a new car now. Its paid for, looks good, runs quietly and economically. Im going to drive it until it falls apart.