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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  Sold cars for 18 years and love the 500 - 2007 Ford Five Hundred
  By retired dealer - December 20 - 6:26 am

  I am thrilled with the dependability, comfort, safety, and storage capacity of this vehicle. The present mileage is at 51,000 and have had no problems. Braking system is excellent, Needed new pads at 40K with no other parts needed. I use Mobil 1 for oil changes and the car runs excellent. I recently drove another ford 500 with 12,000 miles and found no noticeable difference in the drive of my vehicle. The only issue is that I am 64 and the leg room could be about 3" longer for my left leg. I can live with this because many of the vehicles that Ive sold over the years would be non dependable and I would be walking rather than driving. Average mpg is 23.6 since car was new. WOW. LOVE IT.

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  Awesome!! - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By David D. - December 20 - 2:00 am

  It is amazing the improvements in 5 years. This is my second one and I love it. It is even more fun than the first

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  Cant get enough. - 2003 Ford Mustang
  By skstang - December 20 - 2:00 am

  Excellent power, great looks, nice sounding stereo. Must change out the exhaust. Sounds like a Taurus stock. Handles great

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  step on it - 2003 Ford Mustang
  By bobki - December 20 - 2:00 am

  Much more power than my old 98 Z28 camaro it would kick its but in the quarter mile. Also the size is nice when parking

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  SUV Lite - 2007 Ford Freestyle
  By Adam - December 19 - 9:30 pm

  Great ride. Wanted an SUV, but not the mileage. Freestyle gives the space of an SUV, but has sedan-like mileage. While aesthetics are not the greatest, this is a practical vehicle for people who need the space. Would recommend to anyone considering an SUV.

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  HARD TO BELIEVE...WHAT A GREAT RIDE! - 2005 Ford Mustang
  By Whitney Lynn - December 19 - 6:30 am

  WHAT A SURPRISE...THE RIDE, STYLING, CONFORT, POWER, LOOKS, INTERIOR, QUITE, ETC, ETC...A MUSTANG USED TO BE A LOWER END, FUN TO DRIVE CAR.....NOW WHAT FORD HAS DONE, IS TO REDESIGN THIS CLASIC, AND MAKE A TRUE LUXURY PERFORMANCE CAR....THE RIDE IS SO SMOTH, QUIET, AND THE ROAR OF THE V-8 IS AWESOME....I HAVE HAD ALL THE TRUE HIGH END LUXURY CARS, YES THE ONES THAT START WITH F, P, J AND M....FOR MY MONEY THIS IS AS GOOD, AS ANY OF THOSE...AND PRICE WORKS FOR ME, EVEN THOUGH, I DID PAY THE BIG DEALER MARK-UP...BUT WHAT THE HECK, TO BE THE FIRST ONE ON THE BLOCK IS ALL WORTH IT, AND IT BEING THE METALIC RED, IT EVEN LOOKS FAST...LOVE IT!

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  Focus - 2012 Ford Focus
  By James Rubin - December 19 - 5:58 am

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  Tell Your Wife - 2005 Ford Mustang
  By Schatzie - December 19 - 5:16 am

  Be sure to tell your wife to adjust the seat so she can depress the clutch all the way to floor for each shift and for starting car. Frantic call #(1) "Car wont start" Frantic call #(2) "Rear windows are down and I do not know how to make them go up. Frantic call #(3) overhead light wont go off and rear windows are down again. Explained the lights will go off automatically after you exit the door and showed her the little buttons to turn off/on individual lights. Also explained button that makes top go up and down and if pushed will make rear windows go down. Why didnt I tell her before? I had to sell the 5 speed and thought the A/C and rear defrost and electric seats was a success.

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  Judging the Ford 500 - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By Hartman - December 18 - 6:16 pm

  Comfortable, excellent seating, very good economy, roomy interior. A very nice car to drive. The ride could be a little softer. We like the car a little better each time we drive it. Excellent on the interstate highway.

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  One AWESOME Truck - 2016 Ford F-150
  By Michael Mussi - December 18 - 1:55 am

  I traded in my 2013 F-150 xlt for a new 2016 model. Didnt really need a new ruck but they were having such a really good at our local dealer that I just couldnt resist the deal. Ive always been a V8 man myself but was told to test drive the new 2.7 Eco boost. I wouldnt believe it if I hadnt drove it. This truck will out run my old v8 5.0. Ive only put 200 miles on it so only time will if the engine is as good as the 5.0 in reliability. As for the looks of the truck, all my buddies cant believe how how plush it is. Everyone that rides in it cant believe how it rides and handles. The Chevy guys all say I wish my Chevy rode like this. So for anyone wondering about the 2.7 eco boost just go and test drive you will love it. Even tho the engine isnt broke in yet I have been getting 24 mpg going to work on the Wv mountain roads.