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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  I Like It - 2007 Ford Fusion
  By Chris - April 22 - 12:19 pm

  Im 67" and 270lbs and I fit just fine in this car. I could not have the sunroof, but I got everything else. I put lots of miles on this car and I have not been sorry I bought it. The 4cyl with a manual has plenty of power. Yah its nice to have 300hp like the Mustang I traded in for it but as I pass gas station after gas station I can live with the power it has. I used to drive Toyota and Chrysler but now Im a Ford guy.

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  1997 Thunderbird LX V8 - 1997 Ford Thunderbird
  By Mark - April 21 - 11:27 pm

  Best car I have ever owned. Ford has shown reliability with this car. No problems with almost 79,000 miles. 4.6 Liter V8 is peppy when you need it, but the gas mileage is only OK (I average about 15-18 mpg in the city). Two of the most favorite things about this car is the auto headlamps (never have to touch) and the moonroof. This car will outlast any Toyota or Honda on the road today!

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  love the vehicle, hate the brakes - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By jimmiej48 - April 21 - 11:48 am

  Love the vehicle. Lots of storage room and comfort. Awesome on long trips with the kids if you can survive the cost of fuel. Still gets at least 12 in town and sometimes as high as 21 on highway. The biggest complaint to date though, is the brakes/rotors. With less than 57,000 miles on the truck, the brakes have been replaced twice and the rotors now three times. Would be understandable if we were crazy drivers!

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  Great Car - 1998 Ford Mustang
  By Sean - April 20 - 11:45 pm

  I bought my GT a year ago with 160,000 miles on it. I was warned not to get a car with that many miles on it, but i proved them wrong. The filler neck grommet leaked If you buy a 4.6 be careful if it has a plastic intake manifold. They tend to crack where the coolant goes through it by the coolant sensor, but that wasnt even hard to replace. The cupholder are horrible and the interior does seem to squeak . Also my window motor went. It does not handle like a European car but it goes like hell in a straight line. But I have 186,000 with relatively few problems. Very reliable.

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  Best truck you can buy - 2008 Ford F-150
  By truck - April 20 - 9:16 pm

  I have tested all the trucks on the market even for au ugly Titan and ugly Tundra. GMC truck is overall good, however, I dont like its small mirror. Dodge 4.7L engine has less gas mileage. HEMI engine has more power. Tundra is interesting. It labels 381 hp. However, its real world hp is simmilar to the 4.6L Ford I am buying. Toyota cheats new buyers that way. I am atruck person who only care real world hp, not hp on the paper. I also care smooth ride that only Ford can give. I care tough frame also.

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  Ugh, the fuel! - 2006 Ford F-150
  By Hard to please - April 20 - 7:34 am

  I have owned some of the best middle class American vehicles including a Dodge van with the best motor ever, the 318! However the 2006 F-150 is the best all around vehicle this picky 6-4" body has ever driven! The only drawback is the fuel cost. Which is everybodys right now. But, 16 mpg combined driving is ridiculous in the 21st century. Buy this truck if you have a big wallet, you dont care about your "carbon footprint, or if your like me you hope that in a couple of years there will be a motor conversion so that it can run on water.

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  Just letting ya know - 2001 Ford Windstar
  By Italian Family of 5 - April 19 - 9:13 pm

  When we first purchased the car at 80,000 miles we were very happy with it. Weve taken it on one long drive from Colo to Calif with me with pnemonia (sp?) and it was confortable anyway. Now that weve owned it for 2 years weve only had to replace the ABS module, and brakes. Something weird is happening with the fuel getting down past 1/4 tank. It wont start as if its out of gas. We just watch the fuel gage and all seems well. Drives well and we feel really safe during snow storms. Been through a couple of blizzards and only got stuck once. Tire pressure gauge is great letting us know when to get new tires or fill up the tires with air.

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  Fun car - 1994 Ford Escort
  By eric - April 18 - 10:06 pm

  Love this little car. Wish I still had it. Hit a deer. Still driveable but looked like crap. Bought the car in 1999 with 54,000 miles and drove it till 170,000 mile when I got rid of it. Best car I ever had. Fast little thing also. Only Grand Am or Grand Prix I could find that could keep up was the one with the supercharged motor. All the others fell behind. The only problem I had was brakes, ball joints, cluch, rear bearings. All replaced once. Lost third gear in trans, never did get it fixed. I just went from second to fourth. I would tell anyone to get the GT. Do not get the auto, go form the manual

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  Now I know how "Ford Tough" feels - 2007 Ford F-150
  By FORMER Chevy Guy - April 18 - 9:53 pm

  This truck is a serious machine. Ive driven GM trucks for decades. After being tired of replacing transmissions and large repair bills after 100,000 miles, I decided to give the Blue Egg boys a shot. his truck does not disappoint. I believe the GM might be slightly quicker in 0-60, but put a trailer on the back, and youll appreciate the Fords torque advantage. Guys - Quit wondering! Go get one!

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  Great truck at a great price! - 2005 Ford F-150
  By Jamison Turner - April 18 - 5:26 pm

  I have been completely satisfied with this vehicle from the day I bought it. It is a great designed vehicle that drives unlike what you would think something this big would handle like. It is extremely roomy and will hold five to six adults without a problem.