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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  Great for Home Depot - 1999 Ford Taurus
  By Tamman - September 18 - 10:00 am

  After having a Sable Wgn go 200,000 miles I bought this car used. With new shocks and tires, it runs and looks as good as new. DOHC engine is quick but noisy. Interior looks like it was designed by Rubbermaid and is sterile but comfortable. This is a spare car we use for around town and going to Home Depot. Better than a pickup or SUV. Costs less too!

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  Good Ole Truck---FOR A FORD - 2005 Ford Ranger
  By JARHEAD - September 17 - 11:25 pm

  Good overall for recreation use, farm use, work use, but not for trying to raise a family. It is a compact truck, but sometimes I feel 2 people in the front is too much. Overall it is a good truck, strong power on the low end, but lacks oomph above 65. Suspension is a bit stiff, almost like driving a solid front axle. I would recommend this truck. Wanning, for a compact truck the gas economy stinks! 16/20.

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  A good eight years, BUT..... - 1996 Ford Windstar
  By electricjohn - September 17 - 7:09 pm

  This was a very nice vehicle for 8 years, but things started falling apart after that. Ride quality went downhill fast at 50,000 miles. Still have the original motor and transmission at 113,000 miles, now getting C.E. light, front end needs major refurbishing, losing coolant, power steering acting up, speedometer dances, blinker switch replaced, needs shocks, power window problems, O-2 sensor, transmission is sluggish. The power the 3.8 engine had when new started disappearing at 50,000 miles too. For the short term it is not a bad vehicle being a good, comfortable travel vehicle and small trailer hauler. If you are thinking about a Freestar, think short term ownership (less than seven years or 70,000 miles).

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  Fun to Drive - 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By Russ - September 17 - 2:56 pm

  Ive had my 2010 Ford Fusion for about a month and it has been fun to drive. Well have to see how it perfoms over time. A few things Ive noticed so far is the large front grille is plastc chrome and easily prone to scratching. Also the package I have includes rear park assist and it has gone emitted a continous beep on several occasions when absolutely nothing was to the rear of the vehicle. Other than that the fuel economy is great and the vehicle will stay in EV mode even with the A/C on.

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  Good Solid American SUV - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By Ken - September 17 - 12:19 pm

  My 1999 Explorer 4WD XLT has been a good all-purpose family vehicle for mostly around-town driving, vacations and 3 cross country trips in summer and winter. The 4WD was useful for those Illinois snowstorms as well as crossing the Sierra Nevada Mts, the Ozarks gravel roads and various other places. The normal 2WD offered a fair gas mileage of about 17mpg in the city (I drive conservatively) and about 20 on the highway. Notable Interior features I likes were the dual power outlets, 6 CD changer, overhead temperature readout (outside) and compass direction (useful more than I would like to admit). The split rear fold down seats were functionally useful. Normal maintenance required only.

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  2003 bought brand new - 2003 Ford Thunderbird
  By irv silverman - September 16 - 5:10 pm

  Well this is a nice vehicle. I watched the car for a couple of years before purchasing a brand new one. And there is one interesting thing about the vehicle. It has a winter hardtop salon type roof with the opera windows. You store this on a rack/gurney. When we removed the top to go to convertible status in late May, 2004 the paint all around the trunk where the top meets the roof very easily lifted up. Had to repaint. So heres Fords 21st century fix. They send you a kit with plastic strips. You place it down along the outer reaches of the rear deck and than you place the top back on. Just not engineered well.

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  My wheels. - 1996 Ford Contour
  By Marqui16 - September 16 - 2:06 am

  My Contour now has 198,000 miles on it. I bought it used with about 34,000 miles(mostly highway) and have owned it for 7 years now. I changed the transmission once, the alternator once, several belt changes, headlight problems, and several other minor changes, but never any engine problems. It is still a fun car to drive but since it was my first car I am ready to move on to foreign cars (less maintenance).

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  ford done good - 2001 Ford Mustang
  By Jim in Mass - September 15 - 8:06 pm

  I like this car, I commute over an hour each way to work and its comfortable without being boring.

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  Hate to admit its this good... - 1994 Ford Ranger
  By Convert - September 15 - 4:05 pm

  Ive owned and been around full size GM trucks for a long time - a true Chevy guy. But I needed a truck (1st house rehab) recently, and couldnt afford a new one. A friend of mine offered me his old 1994 Ranger with 150K on it for cheap money, so I figured "why not?". Well, Im glad I did! This comfortable little truck (2wd Extended Cab 4.0 5-speed) runs beautifully, is great on gas (20/24), has no problem hauling whatever I need, and has no rust after 150K of Rhode Island winters (road salt galore). It does need an Idle Air Valve, and it probably needs a new A/C compressor, but it has been good to its previous (original) owner, and its forced me to change my opinion of Ford.

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  Very Dependable Truck - 2002 Ford Expedition
  By Dave - September 14 - 7:04 pm

  I have had two Expeditions and they are both good tough family cars. I got 82K out of the first set of tires and have not had to do anything but scheduled maintenance. I wish it better fuel mileage, but other that that, I am very happy with the truck and it has served me very well.