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 SUV - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By Geoff - June 25 - 1:53 pm

  I bought this car new in 2003 and it has been great so far. We have 47k miles and have put only $416 into it for regular service. It is due for a transmission service, fuel filter and tires so well probably spend another $600 pretty soon. Here are the quirks: The standard equipment tires create a lot of road noise. The rear hatch rattled but was fixed under warranty. From P to R the transmission has a catch and does not glide smoothly. The fuel gauge sometimes takes several hours to register a full tank after refueling. Gas mileage is average. Overall we are very happy with this SUV. Previously had a Cherokee that we put over $3k into by this mileage. I truly believe Ford makes a quality product.

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  Best yet, but.... - 2007 Ford Explorer
  By stan - June 24 - 6:48 pm

  This is my 3rd Eddie Bauer Explorer. I needed to special order to get a 5-passenger V-8 with the leather/suede interior. It was worth the wait. As the vehicle is routinely loaded with 400 - 900 pounds of cargo, the V-8 was a must. This Explorer has a base weight 500 lbs. more than the 98 V-6 it replaced and the V-8 is needed for decent performance when loaded. Around town mileage is about 13 with vehicle not yet broken in. This is about the same as my past V-6. The added size vs. the past model makes it the max. that will fit in our garage, and one mirror must be folded to do so. Good build quality and, overall, still the best of mid-size SUVs but see below for design-related concerns.

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  Bad choice for gravel roads - 2008 Ford Taurus X
  By bertajean - June 24 - 12:27 pm

  I own a 2008 Taurus X SEL & prior to that owned a 2006 Freestyle SEL. If you are looking for a great value on a AWD crossover style vehicle, this is your best option. The other vehicles in that category are VERY over priced. The T-rex (as we call it) is an overall good value, but is not a good choice for gravel roads. I drive 3 - 8 miles of gravel one-way to work. The brakes & wheels hold gravel like you wouldnt believe. The tires are always going out of balance because of that. The body moldings also hold a lot of dust, so difficult to wash as it always leaves streaks of wet gravel running out.

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  Aerostar - 1995 Ford Aerostar
  By sjohn - June 24 - 12:07 pm

  This is the best vehicle I have ever owned. I bought it new and have spent almost nothing on repairs. It now has 170,000 miles and still runs strong. Interior and extetior still look great. Wish Ford still made a vehicle this good. The 4.0 liter engine is great.

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  Bang for your buck for a monster beast - 2001 Ford Excursion
  By junbug1970 - June 24 - 10:55 am

  The gas mileage is better than my Durango even though this truck is 10 cylinder. The best comfortable ride for long drive. Towing a 9000lbs boat feels like towing a pair of jetskiis (effortless). Three of my door actuators are not working, so I have to replace that. Parking this beast in a small parking lot takes me about 3-4 back and forth motions. Need better turning radius.

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  Not Like My 2001 - 2006 Ford Taurus
  By Mark - June 24 - 3:59 am

  My 2001 Taurus SE was a fine car in all respects. The 2006 I purchased appears to have been a car in which it was "thrown together" The body parts (quarter panels, doors, hood) do not match leaving gaps and mis-aligned body parts. The interior is nothing more than cheap inferior materials. My 2001 displayed great quality and care when assembled. The 2006 has none of this. The fuel economy is very good, handling and general reliablity is supreb. And it is a fun car to drive just as long as I ingnore the substandard construction. Still a good value for the money.

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  Great little car - 2004 Ford Focus
  By James - June 23 - 10:29 pm

  This car is the complete package. Sporty, well-appointed, practical, and comfortable. The engine has two personalities: docile and tame in normal driving, with excellent power when revving past 5500rpm. Great for the track, but it is a little hard to extract fun and performance on the street. Also surges when cruising. Aside from this, its a great-looking little car with decent back seat room, and phenomenal cargo room for a compact. The handling is amazing considering its refined ride. Everything works, no rattles, and is thankfully very low-key as a performance vehicle. Mileage isnt impressive. List of features is excellent for a small car, and yetrelatively inexpensive. Highly recommended!

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  Best truck ever - 1995 Ford F-150
  By matthew s - June 22 - 10:52 pm

  I bought this truck in 98 with 69k miles on it. The only major repair I had done was new gears in the rear end. Everything else is original. Oh yeah, I had to replace the battery a couple times. I wish Ford would go back to this truck.195k miles and still truckin.

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  1st F-150 - LariatSuperCrew-4X4 - LoveIt - 2004 Ford F-150
  By SanDiegoF150-4X4SC - June 22 - 10:00 am

  So far, so great! I enjoy this vehicle as a great addition to our family - the road trip & beach/mountains/biking/skiing machine. The road comfort & quiet ride is exceptional for a truck and rivals my wifes 03 ML350. The room inside and comfort make it great for our needs. Ford definitely knows how to build trucks. I would like to see a bit better acceleration off of the line, but I have to keep reminding myself that its the truck, not my 740i!

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  Great basic car - 2005 Ford Focus
  By MartinD - June 22 - 9:43 am

  My 2002 Focus 4dr SE had no problems during its 53,000 miles. When the lease was up, I purchased the 2005 SES 4 door. This is a great basic car with good handling, good acceleration, and suprisingly comfortable on a long trip. I would rather own a Vette, but I need the Focus and it is a great value.