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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  94 ford250 turbodiesel 4x4 best truck - 1994 Ford F-250
  By c parker - February 7 - 7:52 pm

  I bought this truck in 02 w 160,000 miles, great investment this truck has never skipped a beat, it still runs like the day I got it, the turbo is a great feature, eats up the highest mountains in Colorado. Great power and reliable. It now has 214,000 I always changed oil&filter and service took care of it. This is my 3rd Ford truck and they have all been great. This is a vehicle with true value.

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  **FANTASTIC** - 2009 Ford Explorer
  By Bob - February 7 - 5:50 pm

  This Ford Explorer is the best car we have ever owned. We before owned a crappy Chrysler minivan. We bought the Eddie Bauer which had every feature. One of the nicest middle class suvs you could buy.

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  Very Very Impressed! - 2001 Ford Taurus
  By SkiGuy1982 - February 7 - 4:24 pm

  Bought this car because I couldnt afford to drive my Tahoe every day anymore at $4.00 per gallon... and Didnt want to give up the utility of the Tahoe. This wagon had 57k on it when I bought it and has 126k on it now. Runs the interstate well at 85, gets 25 mpg, AC is ice cold, heater could be better. Once I got rid of the continental tires and put on GoodYear Triple Treads, this car handles like a race car and will handle all the snow with ease. Have driven to colorado in winter, and florida for vacation few few times and never had any problems. Everything still works. Will keep till it dies!

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  Great Little Car - 2006 Ford Focus
  By jpeters - February 7 - 3:32 pm

  Purchased brand new in March 06. Coming up on 4 years and 108,000 miles and not a single issue. Have done regular oil changes every 5,000 miles and am on my third set of tires, have replaced one rear light at about 80,000 miles. Thats it for maintanence. Fun to drive, great gas mileage, practically maintenance free. Good acceleration and handling, passing is a breeze. Only complaints are engine noise at about 62 mph but only at that particular speed, not higher or lower. Not comfortable on long drives, say over about 3 or 4 hours, definite booty pain. Has been a fun and faithful little car. Love it!

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  GREAT TRUCK - 2007 Ford F-150
  By gab - February 7 - 1:04 pm

  I have owned several older Ford trucks and this truck has it all over them. I am especially happy with the ride quality and comfort features. I have had no mechanical problems. The truck feels very well built and heavy. My only complaint would be acceleration probably because of its overall weight. Gas mileage is around 15 mpg. Overall I highly recommend this truck.

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  Nice Truck!! - 2004 Ford F-150
  By Ray - February 7 - 11:33 am

  Bought my FX4 in 2007 with 78000 kms on it.Has been very reliable so far.Had to replace hub solenoid...just put new tires on it at 90000 kms..Very nice ride...very comfortable on long trips and gas mileage not bad for a 5.4 v8.Great in the snow in 4wd.Interior looks beats Dodge and Chevy big time!! Has more than enough power and torque for pulling boats and trailers. Great sounding stereo and 6 disk CD changer is awesome!..Moonroof is nice too..After reading some other reviews,,I guess I lucked out with mine and got a good one..But I baby it so that helps..have replaced front brakes and rotors..other than that..no issues at all...very happy with it!

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  Annoyances - 2009 Ford F-150
  By Lorne - February 7 - 10:53 am

  About my new ford: Seatbelt is really awkward to put on because it is on the rear door. Cannot open the rear door if the front seatbelt is hooked up around someone. Ignition key hole is hard to find because it is way inside the steering column. I get a wind whistle on the highway coming from the windshield somewhere. Tried changing my own oil and could not remove the oil filter with a normal wrench. Have to buy on that fits on the end of the filter. Also a rad hose is designed where it rubs on the hot oil filter. Really do not like the headrests pointing forward.

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  Totally dismayed at quality of product - 2008 Ford Escape
  By Sage - February 6 - 10:18 pm

  46000 miles, trans. coolant assembly had to be replaced, leaking badly. Water leaves stains on interior upholstery. Horrible squalling wind noise from right front windshield area. Unable to be fixed by dealership without foam insulation & duct tape. Yep, have to keep duct tape on windshield, started a couple months after purchase. Mult. failures of instrument panel,goes dead. After being very cold for 3 days outside & weather warmed up, battery went dead. RSA jumped it, instrument panel was out again-no heat, blower, stereo, read outs-until SUV warmed up 40 mins after driving it. Then heater blew snow. It always has electrical issues after cold down to 20-30 below & then warms up & im down.

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  Traded a 1999 Grand cherokee V* - 2010 Ford Escape
  By Britta - February 6 - 8:59 pm

  Just drove the V6 limited off the lot and 114 miles home. Love it. Ride smooth, have the Nave and its great. Coming from a V8 to V6 after 10 years and it accelerates great. More head room that the 2010 Grand Cherokee.

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  Awesome Vehicle - 2008 Ford Edge
  By Antony - February 6 - 6:34 pm

  I purchased this vehicle after having a Jeep Grand cherokee for years. But after test driving the Ford Edge it was like driving a car in an suv body and was surprisingly even larger inside than it looked form the outside. It recently snowed and the AWD feature had be handling the roads like a glove