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:

• 

  Love This car. - 2007 Ford Freestyle
  By Adam Nathan - December 10 - 10:27 pm

  This is a great car. I got the base model with 4wd and this car is loaded with very nice features. Ford put a lot of thought into how the driver uses the car and the interior works great. Bose stereo is great! The interior is better designed than most Japanese cars. This car is deceptive in how much room there is inside. It has more room than my minivan. It rides great and handles well. Great brakes. Engine is low on horsepower. Got a great deal. Comes with 3 year bumper to bumper and 5 year engine warranty which is great.

• 

  Great Escape - 2001 Ford Escape
  By Gr8Escape - December 10 - 6:41 pm

  We bought our Escape when they came out in 2001. We were drawn to the body style and took one for a test drive. We bought an XLS with a 4 cylinder engine. My wife likes the fact that it has a low-emissions rating. She averages 28 MPG in the summer. It drops to 25 in the winter. This was something we could not find in any other SUV, foreign or domestic. Since the purchase the Escape has been excellent. Nothing more that routine maintenance has been required. We now have 80,000 miles on ours and will buy a new one when Ford comes out with a new body style

• 

  Close to perfect - 2004 Ford Escape
  By Omega - December 10 - 1:55 am

  Driving experience on Indonesian roads. Steering accuracy at high speed is good. Response to acceleration is excellent. Emergency braking on curving wet road is excellent. Performance & driving safety on mountainous highways are excellent. Best SUV for Indonesian road and offroad conditions at affordable price.

• 

  Ford 500 - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By WK - December 10 - 12:06 am

  I drive the Ford 500 to work and I just love the reliability, and comfort of this vehicle. However, with the gas prices so high, it does make traveling expensive.

• 

  review of 98 Ranger XLT - 1998 Ford Ranger
  By Max - December 9 - 9:39 pm

  I have had many years of service from my Ranger and have had no problems with it for the first seven years I owned it. This year however, I have had some small problem and one major repair. My total repair cost for the Ranger is less than $1000 dollars over the past eight years.

• 

  Volvo Replacement - 2006 Ford Freestyle
  By Steve - December 9 - 3:50 pm

  We started looking for a 7 seater replacement for our aging V70 - kids getting bigger. Have not owned a domestic vehicle for 10 years and it took some doing to look at Ford. Reviewed all the usual competitors including XC90. It is very functional and versatile, a real 7 seater with ample interior room. Comfortable, firm ride, quiet with no squeaks and rattles. Handles the road imperfections really well. Ford has done an excellent job on this car from design to execution. If you are looking for this type of vehicle and overlook the Freestyle you are making a mistake.

• 

  My Best Car in Twenty Years - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By Daisy - December 9 - 4:23 am

  What a great car! Tons of speed, a roomy interior, great sound system, and good mileage. The convertible top is a cinch to operate. And the car is a real head-turner! Expect to get a lot of attention when youre driving one of these.

• 

  Had it a year, and still love it - 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Mrtwister - December 9 - 3:53 am

  Got rid of my TrailBlazer for this and got the way better deal. Build quality over GM is superior. Rides like an SUV, but I can pack 22 bags of leaves into the back. I drive 52 miles to work every day,

• 

  fun car to own - 2007 Ford Escape
  By jas1230 - December 8 - 7:22 pm

  I got this car because I needed an suv to haul horse feed and my lab around in. The Escape fits my needs and is a great on gas mileage. Has plenty of cargo space for 300 pounds of feed and a 95 pound dog and still handles great and has plenty of get up and go left in it.

• 

  05 Ford Explorer XLT V8 - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By Gary Andears - December 8 - 6:34 pm

  Since owning our 05 Explorer it has been nothing but a joy. This is our third Explorer and the 05 with the V8 is fantastic. It is all there - ride, comfort, and reliability. The on board computer center says we are getting 17.8 MPG. Not bad since most of our driving is NOT highway miles.