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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  Test Drive Them All - 2005 Ford Ranger
  By Mediocre - July 7 - 8:46 pm

  I bought my Ford in 2005 when they had the employees discount promotion. When I test drove the truck things were OK. The ride was better when I bought the truck than it is now. Every once in a while there is a creaking noise from the right side when you go over something crooked. The 4.0L engine is enough to do anything I need but the interior misses with quality. The dash plastics on the drivers side dont come together right, and there are varoius rattles, squeaks, and creeks that everyone tells me are "normal operating noises"-yeah right! The 150s ride better but are too much money. Why not put that quality into the Ranger series of trucks Ford? I mean quiet is nice in a truck too.

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  Nice car, can be a nightmare though... - 1994 Ford Escort
  By HOTCAR - July 7 - 5:08 pm

  My 1.9 liter Escort is extremely peppy, but heres some advice for people who are going to buy one. Dont gun it at green lights and stop signs. The head gasket is 95% common to blow in these cars. I learned the hard way burning people at green lights, although itÂ’s tempting. Gas mileage is iffy, cheap to fill, but the mileage is poor. It goes quick. Auto seatbelts broke too. I take care of it as much as I can, but it rusts. I love the car but what can I do?

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  My F-150 - 2007 Ford F-150
  By robert sanders - July 6 - 5:35 pm

  Bought the vehicle on 22 May 07 with 81 miles on the odometer. Left for Wash D.C. on the 26th to attend the event at Rolling Thunder" memorial. Disappointed with the fuel economy and the black soot at the exhaust pipe. Vehicle drives well but is underpowered on some of the taller hills on Interstate 40. Thinking the pickup is too heavy for a V6 engine.

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  Good, simple truck - 1999 Ford Ranger
  By martinjmpr - July 6 - 10:36 am

  Bought it new in 1999, sold it in 2003 with 94,000 miles (almost 25k/year.) I deliberately got the simplest vehicle I could, 2wd, 3.0l V-6 and 5-speed, with the XLT package for the cloth seats, AC, and 15" wheels. I drove this vehicle all over Wyoming and Colorado for 4 years and it never had a serious problem. Only minor problems were with the stock seat, rear leaf springs, and a "check engine" light that came on at about 64k. Very rugged, and surprisingly comfortable for long distance trips. Build quality was impressive - this was my first American manufactured vehicle in 15 years. No unusual rattles, no difficulty with the engine or tranny. Gas mileage was 19- 20 city, 24-26 hwy.

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  we keep buying them - 2000 Ford Econoline Wagon
  By Hawkeye79 - July 4 - 2:00 am

  We have our 4th E-150 on order. Its a truck, dont expect sports car handling or mini car gas milege, but is very quiet. The only unexpected repair for 3 vans has been a power steering pump that leaked and had to be replaced. The 5.4 L pulls everything and holds 6 or more bikes behind the third seat(we mountain bike and camp) if you have 3 or more kids, travel alot, and take everything with you, you can not beat it.

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  2003 Ford Sport Trac XLT - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Crudup - July 4 - 2:00 am

  Drives like a wild horse. Ride is very bumpy. Wind noise.

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  Good truck - 2004 Ford Ranger
  By B. A. B. - July 4 - 2:00 am

  The power of 4.0 liter engine makes this feel like a big truck. I have no complaints with this vehicle other than the fuel economy, which with the automatic transmission has been between 17-18 mpg, no better than my old F-150 with the discontinued 4.9 liter 6 cylinder engine.

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  Everything but the plugs - 1999 Ford F-150
  By jasnjan - July 3 - 3:55 pm

  Our F150 is 2WD and has the 4.6 Triton. I have been overall pleased with this motor. It has enough pep to haul me, my pianos, and my piano trailer once or twice a week. When it pulls a trailer I can count on about 14 mpg. Not loaded about 18 and up to 21 even. I pulled a car trailer and an old car home from Montana and it did great! My only gripe is the plugs. I didnt have one blow but had symptoms and took it in and had plugs, wires, the whole shoot and match for about $900. I didnt want to take the chance of blowing a head. If you dont catch that stuff, it sounds like real trouble.

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  Ford Fanatic - 2008 Ford Shelby GT500
  By Ford Fanatic - July 3 - 1:03 pm

  This car costs too much for what I will see in my lifetime. Performance was disappointing on purchase, but it has started to show some potential as it breaks in. I only have 500 miles on it, I do plan to upgrade the performance in the future without sacrificing the ability to restore it to original, should some weak person choose to do so. This car is a blast to drive, buts needs a little more power to back up its image. (It does not like to be power shifted). My first car was a 63 Falcon convertible that I "Cobra-ized", and will be with me until I die. This GT-500 has the potential to be just as addictive as my first of my 14 Fords. After 45 years, I still get a smile on my face with Ford.

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  Dependable - 2004 Ford F-150
  By Dependible - July 2 - 5:33 pm

  I love this truck. It has good power and it is a very smooth and quiet cab. While the fuel effeciency is poor at best, the truck is awesome.