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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  Splurge for the GT - 2005 Ford Mustang
  By Jessica Johnson - June 4 - 10:36 pm

  I love my new Mustang, its a wonderfully smooth ride, its beautiful, it turns heads. It definitely goes when you hit the gas, but I think I should have paid for the extra 90 horsepower. The traction control is great when it kicks in and I do like playing with the MyColor feature. I find the Shaker 500 is an adequate stereo system -- I dont think the 1000 pays off. The seats and everything seem a little big at first for a female, but now its hard for me to drive my other car. So far the antitheft hasnt done anything, so I dont know much about that. I do love knowing how many miles per gallon I am getting and that sort of thing. Its a fun car- but get a GT.

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  Excellent Car - 2007 Ford Focus
  By THE ARB - June 4 - 7:30 pm

  I wanted a car that is small on the outside yet big on the inside. In New York City this is the kind of car you need to drive on narrow 2 way streets, with cars double parked. This is a pretty car that has all the basic features, plus some. I chose this car over a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic, for interior comfort, performance and price. I am leasing this car for 24 months, at low mileage. This exactly the type of lease I prefer. This is the first time I acquired a second car; with my first car always being a luxury car.

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  Good Ride - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By Pat Deyo - June 4 - 4:16 pm

  Fun to drive. Fun features. Easy to drive. Good looking car.

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  Above the crowd - 2004 Ford F-150
  By F150reviewer - June 4 - 10:00 am

  The new design is stunning - friends who see it are surprised at the finishes and styling (Lariat model is at the top end in the F150 line). I like the return to classic square lines characteristic of the older F150s. It handles great - solid on the road, powerfull, great steering and cornering. This truck replaces a Mercedes ML320 and we are much happier with this than the ML. Same gas mileage but much more power and more interior room with the SuperCrew.

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  Love my F-150 - 1997 Ford F-150
  By bassmax - June 4 - 8:17 am

  Bought my truck with 8,000 since it was in a trade in on a new one at the end of 97. I have 135,000 on it and the only problem was a leak in the rear window which I fixed with silicon. Front end parts sqweek when turning and other than normal wear and tear, that is it. Always change oil at 3-4,000 and filters. My biggest con is not having disc brakes in the rear (which they did in 98). I would buy another Ford pick up. I like Toyota Tundras but for the extra money, I am not sure it is worth the difference. After 43 years of driving, this is my first Ford. They did good for me.

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  Thrilled to own second Explorer - 2008 Ford Explorer
  By wrwisconsinsnowbird - June 3 - 3:32 pm

  This is my second Explorer, I still own a 97 XLT with 100k on it with minimal major problems/repairs. The 07 does have an annoying rough idle clicking that its done since new. The 08 has the 292hp v8 which idles smoothly and has plenty of power when needed. The interior and exterior is flawless and amazingly quiet. Everyhing worked perfectly when we picked it up and ever since. Better gas mileage would help but I need the truck frame for towing and the v8 for power.

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  There is nothing like a Ford Mustang GT - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By Irish Rover - June 3 - 3:00 pm

  I purchased the car with 1,000 miles on it.. I have had zero problems with it. Odometer reading is 15,000. I drive it mostly in the summer with the top down. Installed Ford racing headers, x pipe, exhaust and a hurst shifter. This car is more fun than any man has a right to have.

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  I love this car - 1993 Ford Festiva
  By Peter Unander - June 2 - 3:04 pm

  I bought this car as an economical way to see my girlfriend at the time who lived 50 miles away. I am 63" but leg room is not a problem with this car, nor is storage for that matter I can haul my pressure washer my airless and all my hoses & gear as well as my 40 & 28 ladders on the roof. Two years after purchasing this car while driving home in a rain storm I missed a turn and me my dog and my Festiva went 80 feet into a ravine. Amazingly the car sustained little damage other then a slightly bent rear axle which I replaced for $100 from a wrecking yard. This is in my opinion one of the best cars on the market. Thats why I am writting this

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  I LOVE IT - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By fdsfd - June 2 - 2:00 am

  i love this car.

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  for the price, very good - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By got to love ford - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Fairly inexpensive. Great ride. Lots of room. Looked at many suvs. Explorer 2002 rides like most of the more expensive suvs. Little noisy at higher speeds.