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 - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By gordie580 - October 4 - 1:22 pm

  I love this vehicle. The power is great with the 4.6 triton V8. The AWD feature is great for people who doesnt understand how to operate 4wd.

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  Heavy-Half - 1991 Ford F-150
  By the_suffering360 - October 4 - 12:32 pm

  I recieved it from my grandfather when he passed away. I love this truck. It currently has around 69300 actual miles. It is a great truck. It has the 4.9 with the HD tranny out of the 350 and the same HD rear axle out of a srw 350. It was ordered like that and is not aftermarked mods. This thing is a torque beast. I put 30 by 9 inch BFGoodwrench allterrains on it at stock ride and I can go farther than my friends Jeeps and 4X4s and its rwd! I frequently haul 2000lbs+ in the bed and a 6000lbs+ trailer and it will handel it at any speed and it has 0 lag even fully loaded. #5 cylinder is shot though but still drives OK.

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  150 - 2005 Ford F-150
  By ryanl - October 4 - 11:03 am

  ride is very comfortable

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  A perfect car - 2016 Ford Focus
  By Armin - October 3 - 7:07 pm

  A perfect car with great handling..have the ecoboost 3 cylinder and it is really the car i really love ...its not expensive and i enjoy driving it..

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  AWD Freestyle - 2007 Ford Freestyle
  By becky norton - October 3 - 5:03 pm

  Love the AWD. The varable transmission took some getting used to. Really like how it handles

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  Nice looking truck - 2004 Ford F-150
  By daniel valles - October 3 - 12:57 am

  The truck is fun to drive. Its very fast stock but if you throw some modifications its even faster. The style, it looks mean. The interior is great. Suede seats, leather wrap steering wheel. The racing tires for better traction. The rims are very nice with SVT unique caps. Its just a cool truck.

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  Best Ever - 1997 Ford F-350
  By broncotom - October 2 - 10:40 pm

  This is the best truck ever built! I have 300,000 miles on it, and it will still burn the tires off the rims! Nothing else like. It was built when trucks were trucks, men were men, and the women liked us that way!

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  Still running strong - 2007 Ford Fusion
  By iceman - October 2 - 6:43 pm

  I have owned many cars both foreign and domestic. Go look at this car before you buy a new one. This car has good handling, performance, space, quality and features. I have 18500 miles since April 2007 with no problems. The car has only had scheduled maintenaince. Go give a Ford a try. My mom bought a Hyundai and it has been in the shop for 4 days with 400 miles on it. Domestic quality has improved dramatically. This car is also very safe with dual and side airbags. It also has a real back seat. This is as nice of a car as my previous Cadillac and Mercedes were without the high repair bills. I havent seen my dealer much but they do a very nice job taking care of me for regular service also.

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  Missed my old Explorer - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By myford - October 2 - 4:32 pm

  Well I must say the XLT with a V8 and all the bells and whistles is a steal when buying used! It works great, V8 is powerful, leather interior great when you have kids, so is the 3rd row seat. This is the best buy Ive made...51k miles and going.

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  I love my Escape - 2009 Ford Escape
  By KenH - October 2 - 12:36 pm

  I bought my 2009 Ford Escape XLT 3.0 V- 6 for my wife for Christmas. We had tested the Honda CRV, Subarau Forrester, Hyundai Santa Fe and Sonata before we drove the Escape. When she sat down in it, she said this is the one. We love the ride, the comfort the style and the gas mileage. We are currently averaging 25mpg combined. It rides smoother and quieter than my brother in laws Escalade. The power is great. I love the Sync system and the Sirius radio. I would and have recommended the Escape to other people.