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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  Great 97 SUV - 1997 Ford Expedition
  By Exp Fan - September 30 - 8:11 am

  Bought in 99 with 24k and now have 154k. great vehicle with only normal maintenance until replaced ball joints recently. Great comfort and tons of space. Use as a small pickup sometimes when I need to haul something. Paint on roof though not visible from the ground has deteriorated but the rest of the paint is good especially for spending 4 years in Buffalo winters and the rest in WV.

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  Go Go Power Rangers - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By Red Ranger - September 28 - 8:03 am

  I purchased the edge because I needed the utility of a truck. I have been very pleased with the truck. It drives nice, on and off road, it hauls what I need, and gets me where I need to go---thats what a truck is for. It isnt fast with the 3.0 though, but it is enough.

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  204 SES - 2004 Ford Taurus
  By Joe - September 27 - 8:55 pm

  We have had two 2004 SESs. We owned the first one for 5 weeks before we were hit in the rearended by someone doing 50+ MPH and we were stopped. The car saved our life. I think the safety of the Taurus is fantastic. We have had the second one for 3 years. The Duratec engine if fantastic. Wonderful road car, very reliable. Still has original brakes at 80,000 miles, replaced tires at 55,000. No problems with it. 20MPG in town, 25MPG on hwy. We love this car!

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  Drive like Schumacher for under 20K - 2004 Ford Focus
  By DigitalGT - September 27 - 2:00 am

  The SVT Focus is hands down the most fun I have ever had behind the wheel of a street car. Ive been the owner of a 300ZX TT and a Supra TT and for a time I drove a Renault Clio V6 Sport on a daily basis. While all of them are faster, none of them have been more fun. While the car does has some weak areas, it certainly makes up for them with its suspension, gearing, and overall connection with the road.

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  04 Focus ZTW - 2004 Ford Focus
  By libsdad - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Purchased this wagon Jan. 04. Have 2 main concerns for this vehicle. Fuel economy has been on low side, have filled up 2 times since delivery and have only averaged 24 mpg with a majority of driving done on highway around 60-65 mph. Will wait and see on this as vehicle "breaks in". The luggage rack only comes with two longitudal bars on either side of vehicle, cross bars must be purchased from Ford to complete assembly. Kind of like buying laceup shoes with laces extra. Otherwise OK.

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  i like it - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By trickyt - September 27 - 2:00 am

  well i didnt have a very good start;whitin a week of having the truck i had problems.the truck had a defectie part in it which cause the truck to make a very loud noise. but over all its o.k. it needs more features like on star and like the navigator

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  TooMach - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By TooMach - September 27 - 2:00 am

  This car is very fast. The car has good feel and comfort for a machine of this caliber.

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  Alright Van - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By portoluri - September 26 - 8:53 pm

  It is big inside and the captains chairs and double open doors work well with a 2 yr old and newborn. I have had problems with the sliding doors sticking, and he brakes you practically have to put your foot to the floor to stop, and when at the shop they say theres nothing wrong w/the brakes, and I always have a vibrating steering wheel, which they say the car just needs to "warm up". I had an SUV before and get about the same gas mileage as I did with that for city 15-18 miles, w/gas at over $3 a gallon, its very expensive! The paint has chipped off from the radio controls, Overall, there is a lot of space and rides nice. Dont know if I would buy another van or Ford van again.

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  Cheap to own. - 1990 Ford Escort
  By matt - September 26 - 2:51 pm

  Fairly reliable and easy to work on, parts are getting scarce. Enjoyable to drive and good acceleration with 5- speed and 1.9 liter engine.

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  Loved It until 3 days ago - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By walsh66 - September 26 - 7:03 am

  We loved it until our transmission went out at 40,000 miles. It only had 14,000 miles on it when we purchased it so we have put the bulk of the miles on the truck and we dont use it to pull. Then the more I read about the transmission problems the more I dont want to keep the truck when we get it back. Only good thing is that we are not putting another transmission from Ford in the truck. Going with a Jasper rebuilt transmission that has a 100,000 mile warranty. More than Ford will give you.