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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  Traded Hummer H2 SUT and Very Happy! - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Craig Y in Dallas - November 10 - 2:13 pm

  When I bought my FEH in May 2007, I was looking for a more economical replacement for my Hummer H2 that I absolutely loved, that is until I had to feed it! I was spending $600 - $900 per month on fuel and could no longer justify that expense. I did not want to buy the 4WD FEH initially until I could determine whether I could be happy in the pint sized replacement. I purchased the 2008 FEH FWD and to my absolute amazement, it surpassed my expectations in every way! It not only delivers 2.5 to 3 times the gas milease I was getting in my H2 but it had more cargo space and great acceleration. From my home in Dallas, I regularly get 32 - 37 MPG driving to and from Austin.

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  REALLY NEAT CAR! - 2005 Ford Focus
  By vwjimski - November 10 - 10:00 am

  PRETTY GOOD VALUE, CONSIDERING PRICE PAID! GAS MILEAGE WAS IMPORTANT ITEM CONSIDERED. SIZE OF CAR IS SUPRISING,INT ROOM IS LARGE FOR CAR RATED A SUBCOMPACT! EASY TO REACH CONTROLS A PLUS. RIDE IS VERY GOOD, VERY QUIET INSIDE. WIFE WILL USE THIS FOCUS...HER CAR! BOUGHT FOR AROUND TOWN DRIVING.MY WIFE HADE A 1998 FORD CONTOUR V6 AUTO,AND WE HAD REAL GOOD SERVICE OUT OF IT, SO IM LOOKING FOR MORE OF THE SAME WITH THIS FOCUS! BASED ON PAST FORDS WE HAVE OWNED, I THINK WELL BE JUST FINE !BUT...WHOEVER READS THIS...IF YOU DONT MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE PROPERLY,YOU WILL GET WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT! IF YOUR LOOKING FOR A DECENT RIDE, CHECK THIS ONE OUT...BEFORE YOU LOOK AT A FOREIGN MODEL!

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  just bought and drove to California - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By darci - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I love the car but would like to know if anyone has had a problem with the windsheild? Never heard anything hit the glass but have a pinsize inpact point that caused a 6 inch crack way down by pas.wiperblade,now its going to cost $4oo.00 to fix and I havent even made my first payment..also Parking brake ligth doesnt work..

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  My05-oh-my - 2005 Ford Mustang
  By bongobongo - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Finally a worthy successor to 65-70 cars. After 500 miles, I grade it this way: A+, appearance, interior; A, performance, handling, comfort; B+ ergonomics; C-, ride quality. Cant drive it or look at it w/o smiling.

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  Im a Mustang man now! - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By huskyfire - November 9 - 2:36 pm

  Fell in love with this Mustang style when I first saw it last year. It is about time Ford got it right with the car. Has the speed I need, even though it is a 5 speed stick. Brakes great, handles very well. I can get my wife and the two kids in the car fairly easy. I dont think 4 grown adults would fit in it easily though. But this isnt a family car anyway, its just for the kid in me. Im glad I waited till the 06 model. Some of the safety things that didnt come standard in the 05, do in the 06. Like the ABS system and the traction control. Got the interior upgrade, and so glad I did. Everyone thinks it looks sharp, and I will have it my entire lifetime.

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  My awesome experience - 2006 Ford F-150
  By Robert Dent - November 8 - 10:45 pm

  This is the best truck that I have owned in the last 25 years. The interior makes me the envy of my co-workers. The Smokestone/Arizona beige paint combination really stands out. Power and maneuverability in this truck is unbelievable. You would not think that by the way it handles that this is a big, heavy truck.

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  My best truck yet - 2005 Ford F-150
  By SpudsandSleever - November 8 - 8:36 am

  Ive been driving trucks for some decades and this is the best so far. Before this truck I had a GMC Sierra SLT. The Ford is as comfortable but much quieter. The suspension hauls loads easier than the GMC did and tows very easy but at a minor price of needing ballast when empty. The are two negatives so far. 1. Gas mileage with the 5.4 Triton is low but then you cant haul feed with a Prius. 2. The front brakes leave loads of dust on the wheels. Like my other Fords in the past, I need two 40 pound sandbags in the rear when empty so the rear end doesnt hop around on bumpy roads. I am not a rah rah Ford person but this is a very good truck so hats off to Ford.

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  Pushes dirt not just pavement! - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By foobld - November 8 - 5:16 am

  My wife and I bought the low miles ST after we had another child and an ext cab truck wasnt big enough. I was hesitant at first but quickly fell in love with it soon after. I replaced the tires with All Terrain tires which made a big improvement off road. This truck is awesome on and off road, just remember its a truck and not a corvette so it doesnt ride on rails. We will keep this as long as the engine goes, and then prob swap out with another. Buy it you wont be sorry!

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  2010 SE 6M - 2010 Ford Fusion
  By gth743b - November 8 - 3:43 am

  I have been overly pleased and surprised by the 2010 Fusion. My mom has a 2006 S 5M and I was looking at a Fusion because of how much I like that car and was blown away by the improvement of the 2010 model. Everything about the car screams quality build, and all the things in the old fusion were addressed (loud, underpowered engine, needed exterior update, needed interior update, even better fuel economy) Ford has really hit the mark with this and definitely has a car that Americans can be proud of, in addition, to besting their Japanese competition.

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  The perfect Midsize pickup - Fun truck - 2006 Ford Ranger
  By Len Durst - November 7 - 8:53 am

  I bought the yellow Ford Ranger with the super cab. It is my retirement present. It is so much fun to drive and has plenty of power. It is a solid midsize pickup truck. Great body and great engine. I had a Toyota truck before, but this is a real truck with great engineering and great lines. My wife loves the truck also. The Ford Ranger 4x is the perfect truck for man or woman drivers.