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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  Faststang01 - 2001 Ford Mustang
  By Todd May - April 18 - 1:57 pm

  Bought her in APR of02. The stock power grabbed ahold of me and never let go. Didnt lose a race. I have installed started to up grade. K&N FIPK,75mm throttle body/upper plenum, long tube heders with high flow cats, Flow master cat back,4.10 gears, Hypertech power programmer and Micky Thompsons for the track. This season I have installed a tower strut brace and sub frame braces. For the street I run Good Year 245/45 ZR17 in. tires mounted on Replica BLT 17x9 chrome wheels. I just bought a Gtech performance meter to tell me my actual HP. Ive done some paper calcs. and it was above 300 HP, pretty good for just bolt on mods. Not bad since she started at 260. I love her, my wife gets jealous.

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  Its all good - 2006 Ford Crown Victoria
  By Wiley - April 17 - 6:20 pm

  This car, while not as heavy as a Cad I used to drive, is very comfortable and has excellent vision characteristics, instrutment cluster, steering wheel control of radio and speed control (have added in an iPod which is also controlled by the steering wheel. Have added on a device, which I had to order from England that allows attachment of GPS and/or iPod to a plate that fits onto the dash and beauty strip on the lower dash.. some road noise on concrete use Quite Coast spay in trunk and door panels now very quite, seats good for me 63" and very good on long drives driving or riding a co- pilot very good buy on an excellent used vehicle added on extended warranty and Im good to go & fast

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  Outstanding! - 2008 Ford F-150
  By ETexas1000 - April 17 - 6:17 pm

  I wanted a truck to haul building materials over long distances and looks good while doing it. Thats this truck, and I love it. I added some chrome wheels and accessories, and still kept the pricetag under $26k. Fuel economy is great, I took a 500 mi. trip, and rolled into my destination with 1/8 of a tank of fuel left, and this was with a 1000# load up and down mountainsides! Great truck! Thanks FoMoCo!

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  It saved her life, so I bought another o - 2006 Ford Expedition
  By mustang6878 - April 17 - 11:22 am

  We purchased or first 06 Expy Limited in July of 07. What a wonderful machine! It had everything a guy ( and his wife) could want, and with 3 grown kids ( 17 - 22) plus an occasional mother in law, leg room was never a problem. On Feb. 4th in the early morning hours, my wife hit a patch of "black ice" here in Iowa while travelling at 70mph. She will tell you upfront that she panicked when she started to slide, hit the brakes and over corrected her steering. She flipped the Expy ( all 5600 lbs plus a full tank of gas) 3 times down a ditch before landing on its top. Every airbag went off. Rescue workers pried her out, but she walked away. We bought another one when the insurance check arrived!

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  Wish Ford would build them again - 2000 Ford Excursion
  By dad - April 17 - 2:16 am

  I bought this for the size, and diesel, 4x4. The 1st thing I did is put a hypertec programmer and a 4inch exhaust on for better power as I felt it lacked. I pull a 38ft travel trailer.it has been all over the US with very few problems. I have just the regular MA things to do. I avearge 24.5 mpg on the Hwy and 19 in the city ,not bad for a big SUV diesel. I do wish the chassis was long like the 4 door trucks Ford has, it would pull smoother. But overall I love this truck and the size.

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  So Far we Love this New Edge - 2008 Ford Edge
  By Limited 4dr SUV AWD - April 16 - 8:10 pm

  We have only had our New Edge 1 month,but so far we love this crossover from Ford. We get a lot of second looks from people on the street, and people asking what it is. We have owned many Fords over the years and this new Edge is right close to the top of best Fords we have ever owned .Love it, love it, love it.

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  Just Great to Drive - 2001 Ford Expedition
  By Brown - April 16 - 4:43 pm

  Just do the routine service as required and the Expedition will perform as marketed. Have really enjoyed driving it in city and on the highway. Enjoy the safety of sitting higher to see any problems and the storage. One of the most enjoyable cars we had over the years.

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  Solid, Fun to Drive, Even Fuel Efficient - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By Clay - April 16 - 2:43 pm

  This was a fulfillment of a high school dream, only with better MPG than the 1965 Mustang! Excellent handling, Excellent gas mileage considering you have 300HP at your disposal.

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  Good car - 1992 Ford Mustang
  By Jacob - April 16 - 2:22 pm

  Very nice car. Gets up and goes. Never stranded me and runs like new still. Very fun car to drive.

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  Back to Ford - 2007 Ford Edge
  By Tony - April 16 - 1:56 pm

  I only have a few miles on the Edge, but its easy to see its a winner. I came back to Ford after a Chrysler van, and am happy I did. The van was a nice car, but the Edge is easier to drive, easier to enter and exit, easier to park, and has much better handling. It also has much better seats and better ergonomics everywhere. The styling is uncluttered; the car looks ultra modern both in an out. The expansive sunroof is a great feature. Multiple airbags everywhere make safety a strong suit as well. Its not perfect, but its way up there in its class. I did a detailed comparison, and the Edge won over the SanteFe, the VeraCruz, the Murano, the Pacifica, the Highlander, and the Pilot.