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 car - 2013 Ford Edge
  By Maureen McLean - August 8 - 4:11 am

  It has plenty of cargo room. Back seat has plenty of leg room, my 62" husband has no problem fitting in the backseat comfotabley

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  Versatility is top-notch, as is quality! - 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By JR Comet - August 7 - 7:43 pm

  I purchased my Sport Trac a month ago and Ive been nothing but impressed with the truck. The bed is awesome, I can put groceries in it and use it as a trunk or load items in it like a bed, as I have done both. The ride is very quite and smooth, you have to get the V8, which is powerful and quiet. The gas mileage, so far, is about what I expected and I anticipate about 13- 15 mpg in town and 18-20 on the hwy. These trucks can be a car, truck and SUV, all in one. Best vehicle purchase Ive ever made and Ive had Toyota, Nissan, Ford and others.

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  Luv this truck - 2005 Ford F-150
  By RJ in Tejas - August 7 - 5:43 pm

  After 25,000 miles in one year, am averaging 19.5 on hgwy w/o AC. Drives like a sedan; even my wife loves driving it (when I let her). Wish I ordered a bed extender.

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  My perfect truck - 2007 Ford Expedition
  By Josh@Heather - August 7 - 5:21 pm

  My wife and I just got married then shortly after we foud out we are going to be having a baby so we decided that it was time for a new vehicle. We looked around drove a couple things and compared how much truck we could get for out hard earned dollars. We had an Explorer together and it was ten years old and ran excellent and drove like a dream but we had to sell it and I was so heart broken. So we found this Expedition, we drove it and we fell in love with it, and even tho the baby isnt here yet I know that that truck will be the safest biggest SUV that my wife can drive comfortably. And she addores it. Well anyways it is safe and comfortable and very spacious and the features are great

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  Thrives in Traffic - 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By R. Lee - August 7 - 1:10 pm

  The Ford Escape Hybrid thrives best in traffic driving, no matter where it is. Open highway gas mileage a bit lower than expected, yet better than any other comparable SUVs in its class. Want to buy the 2008 because it looks even "beefier" outside. Only complaint: rear trunk carpet does not hold well, slide furniture or a heavy box into the back and the carpet slides with it exposing the 330amp battery.

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  Suburban Sleeper - 2006 Ford Focus
  By PHutch - August 7 - 10:08 am

  The 2.3L engine is absolutely fantastic, and at 70 MPH you are just at the botom of the flat power curve, so roll on to pass requires no downshift. Its zippy around town and extremely fun to drive. There have been no problems, the sound system is great, handling is tight and responsive. other small "sporty car" drivers are surprised when they are outperformed by a Focus. I thought that the disconuation of the SVT would make my car choice harder, but this engine makes its power (less HP but more torque) about 1100 RPM lower than the SVT did, which makes it more driveable. You dont have to spin the motor to make good power, and it runs on regular (the SVT used premium).

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  2006 Ford Fusion - 2006 Ford Fusion
  By Desertpoint - August 7 - 9:31 am

  I love the looks, all the stuff you can buy for it. I live in the country the gos up and down dirt roads all the time handles very well. Nothing has every started to come lose. I have owned both of the competion car the first year problems. But not the Fusion Thanks Ford

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  Good Car but you have to know how to fix - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By Gregory - August 5 - 10:47 pm

  My Ford has 203k on it now. Its good and has the same engine but I replaced both front and back timing tenshioners. These were easy to do because they are located outside the engine. I read this has to be done or your engine will go away! I guess I am lucky because the guides never broke and I never had to go inside the engine. The rest of the car is 100% quality, never an issue with anything. Much better than my Benz that had constant issues with electrical problems. Like all German cars do. I love American cars because they dont have nagging problems like import cars have. They just work. The CD player failed ( Sony Made) and this seems to be a problem all for cars have

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  Best truck on the road - 1999 Ford F-150
  By J.D. Tatum - August 5 - 6:04 pm

  This truck is more than I actually believed it would be. 5.4L v-8 is strong. Great styling,great ride and for a 2WD will pull much better than I thought it would. I pull a 30,6000lb. travel trailer, 5-6 times per year and it pulls it like a much beefier truck. Fuel mileage is still in the 16 MPG range at 114,000 miles and I have not had replace anything other than normal wear and tear components. I have drive train serviced at end of each summer,trans. fluid looks as good as when it went in. oil changes reveal no surprises and the rear end fluid never needs it when I change it. even with the heavy-hauling the fuel mileage is decent. 8 year old truck and still gets the looks.

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  15 year review 243k miles XL 2.5L 4cyl 5-speed man - 2000 Ford Ranger
  By NV_dave - August 5 - 6:45 am

  Bought new. Very simple vehicle with power steering, 5speed manual, but no A/C. Followed scheduled maintenance closely. Only 3 major repairs - replaced radiator ( cracked plastic connectors ), timing belt at 180k miles, and replaced clutch at 215k miles. 2.5 4cyl engine is still tight - burns no oil. Mileage on truck evenly divided between city, high speed freeway ( over the Sierras and Cascades mountains ) and 2 lane rural highways in the Sierras. Gas mileage ranges from 20 to 22mpg in city and 25 to 29mpg highways, with the best mpg on slower, smoother 2 lane highways. Best features are the mechanical reliability, excellent visibility, 5 speed manual, and ease of entering and exiting the fairly room cab. Worst features are the slow acceleration ( "Cmon truck!! Lets Go! ), lack of proper hand brake ( the all-or-nothing parking brake is worthless for holding the truck in place when starting up steep hills ), and poor traction/control in snow and ice. In winter, I put on studded snow tire on all 4 wheels and load 500 lbs. of sand bags in the bed between the cab and rear axle (never put all the weight behind the rear axle - it will lift the front wheels ). The Ranger does OK on level or slight slopes, if driven with caution, but is "squirrelly" on steeper grades and curves due to its narrow stance, high center of gravity, and light front end. I will note that although the little Ford Ranger was well worth the modest price I paid for it (great reliability, 5speed manual, ease of driving) it is now starting show its age. Specifically, there are minor but annoying electrical problems that are hard to diagnose and repair. The dome light often stays on after closing the doors tightly but when it will do so and how long it will stay lit is unpredictable - possibly a short due to frayed insulation. The same is true for the door ajar buzzer which also comes on at random times. Be aware that on older "modern" vehicles -ie. early 2000, that random electrical problems may be more of a problem than the more obvious problems of bad water pumps or dead alternators. Modern cars are now as much an electrical appliance as a mechanical device.