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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  Freestlye- First Impression - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By Siberian - October 16 - 10:00 am

  We were out looking at a replacement for my wifes 2002 Escape as we want a vehicle with more fluff. We drove the Explorer and also the Cadillac SRX. The SRX was a nice car but the finish work on the in side was poor for the high cost. We drove the Freestyle as an after thought and were very pleased. It had a lot of power with the new CVT transmission and the SEL model had everything we wanted plus it was $15,000 retail less then the Cadillac. So far we are very pleased and it is easily accessible for an aging parent with support handles in the ceiling and on the front dash.

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  Love the look, Unimpressed by the power - 2001 Ford Mustang
  By Pete - October 16 - 9:31 am

  Have had the car for 1 year and have put 5,000 miles on it. My experience so far has been overall positive. No problems mechanically at all. I like the look of the car and love the thrill of driving with the top down. As far as power I am somewhat disappointed. Factory says 320 HP, but only about 245 of that makes it to the rear wheels. Quick starts, but it is very slow to respond when you stomp the gas while driving. The suspension is pretty good. It handles well when cornering at speed, but I hear pops and clunks in it when I make turns or hit small bumps. I like the car but I wish I had bought a 2003 or 2004 "Supercharged" Cobra. Now those are awesome cars!

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  My First Ford - 2002 Ford Escape
  By catwoman - October 14 - 11:00 pm

  My first FORD. Lot of car for the money - very happy with the car, fun to drive - to much wind noise. Overall, very happy.

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  So Far to Go, So Little Gas - 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Peter - October 14 - 8:46 pm

  My Escape is still very new, and still delights me. I bought it for its fuel economy, size, and greenness. Fuel economy was rated at 33 city, 29 highway. Highway and city combined have averaged well over 33 with the majority being highway miles. I lose about 2 tenths of a mile when starting out cold in the morning and evening after work. I then make that up if I can drive far enough. Economy when cold is awful. The engine runs until the engine is warm and the battery is fully charged. At that point the fun begins to see how long I can keep it running on electric alone. Kind of challenging but for a vehicle that weighs 4750 pounds its great.

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  Love our Expedition !! - 2000 Ford Expedition
  By 98 expedition - October 13 - 9:05 pm

  This is a great family vechile ! we have had our expedition for 4 years now at 182,000 miles and its still going strong ! hardly ever has given us any problems since we have had it ! been the most reliable vechile that we have owned ! will continue to drive it an will rebuild it when it is that time ! cant go wrong with a 98 expedition !

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  Reliable by anybodys standards - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By Lynn - October 13 - 5:31 pm

  Dont believe everything you hear about Ford quality and reliability. This vehicle (7 yrs, 140,000 miles) has been proof that Ford builds good vehicles. Of course there have been repairs, but all were inevitable based on the age of the vehicle.

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  Best of the best - 2003 Ford Ranger
  By David Page - October 13 - 2:00 am

  Great truck I love the way it looks and drives

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  Texas Ranger - 2006 Ford Ranger
  By smithdallas3 - October 12 - 11:16 pm

  Great truck for the price. Plenty of power and reasonably well built for the price.

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  XL E series - 2005 Ford Econoline Wagon
  By scott1973 - October 12 - 6:30 pm

  Big comfortable seats, decent driving position despite engine cover. This thing is big though and I think carefuly where I park it. Scary to drive on icy roads especially if windy. 10,000 miles no problems so far.

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  I love my car, but not the windshield - 2007 Ford Fusion
  By Jenny Stanley - October 11 - 5:56 pm

  I love my new Ford Fusion. I get compliments on it all the time. It rides way smoother than my Mothers Chevy Impala and it is quieter too. I love the 6 disk in-dash CD player. The gas mileage could be improved a lot. I am only getting 25mpg on the highway right now. The biggest problem I have with it is my windshield. I have had my car a month and a half and I am going on my 3rd windshield. The first one splintered the 2nd week I had my car. The second one, within two days of getting it fixed it had splinters twice from small rocks hitting it. I am a highway driver so I expect rocks to do damage. But I have never had a windshield break this easily this often. Its expensive and ridiculous.