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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  Fun and Sporty - 1999 Ford Contour
  By Lx1 - February 17 - 2:00 am

  Ive Bought this car new at the dealership and in 5 years (and only 90,000 miles) had to only replace tires alternator and serpatine belt. That and standard maint. it has been a really good car. I also have a 18 years old son who also drives it and he loves the fact that it is a 5 speed and shifts with ease. He tries to borrow my car for work over my wifes because mine gets better gas mileage (he does delivery work).

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  A Durn Good Truck - 1998 Ford F-150
  By Kenstar - February 17 - 2:00 am

  I used this truck for towing my motorcycle trailer and for general all- around driving. It has been highly reliable and functional. I bought the smaller V-8 thinking it would get better mileage than the larger engine. It didnt and that was disappointing. A great around truck, but not good for large range commuting because of the mileage (about 13.5 MPG).

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  my new mustang - 2005 Ford Mustang
  By bogie - February 16 - 11:46 pm

  This car amazes me. Its just a v-6 but seems to have plenty of power.The same 6 as the Explorer traded in on it. Such a difference Im amazed at the looks I get just driving around. Makes it well worth the price. It drives and handles very well for a non-performance version. Although it did snow the second day I had it and I had to remember how to drive with RWD, been a long time since I did that. But after a couple of miles it all came back to me. I guess thats the advantage of being over 50. Overall its a very solid car, no back seat room to speak of but then again I wasnt looking for any.

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  Get up and go the cheap way - 1996 Ford Crown Victoria
  By Marsha Colucci - February 16 - 7:23 am

  I can drive from south Lawton, Oklahoma to Mobile, Alabama on $50.00 for gas. This car does not use any oil. I had to do little work to this car. I have bought 2 batteries, upper ball joints on front (both), shocks all around, belt, and gas cap. I bought this car in 2005. It had 23000 miles and looked new. It needs a paint job as the paint is fading but I have never had a car as good as this one. I have several people tell me if and when I want to get rid of it to let them know. They are amazed of the gas mileage. I have traveled with other people, they were in their car, I was in mine, they had to stop for gas and every third stop I would fill up only using half a tank. They were amazed. That was from south of Lawton, Oklahoma to Mobile, Alabama. Great Car!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  exellent - 1998 Ford F-150
  By Marcos Meza - February 16 - 2:00 am

  The pickup is good on the highway we usually make road trips every year of about 4000 miles going and coming. Performance is decent but thats because it has 170,000 miles on the odometer. The pickup has only had minor problems, the biggest problem it has faced was the starter and the flywheel going bad but thats about it it Has been a very realiable and bad ass truck too drive.

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  My F-150 named Judy - 1998 Ford F-150
  By fordguy81 - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this truck since it was a year and a half old, it had 30,500 miles on it when i bought it and have had only 2 occasions to ever have it in the shop for mechanical reasons other than routine maint. Im exceptionally pleased with this truck and would only hope that my next is as reliable and as good a truck.

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  So far....love it - 2002 Ford Focus
  By TCT - February 16 - 2:00 am

  So far love the car.....liquid gray ZX5 Premium with automatic.

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  An underated Yank!!! - 2000 Ford Taurus
  By Ponsonby - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Being a Brit now living in Kansas City with my Kansan Wife. I have looked really carefully at buying a larger car to compliment our 2.4 Litre Grand-Am for longer journeys. I wanted something that had reasonable performance (200 bhp is enough with your strict speed code here), an overhead cam engine for less friction and better fuel consumption and reliability, plus ease of servce and parts availability. The overall impression of the car is that I am really pleased with it. Typically with a 4 valve engine, you have to rev it mid-range , but where a pushrod engine fades out at about 5000 r.p.m, this kiddy starts getting interesting.

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  built to last - 1992 Ford Escort
  By airhorton - February 15 - 2:00 am

  My Father gave me this car, with around 180,000 miles on it, and now im pushing 210,000 miles and still running stong. very quick and nimble. 0-60 in 7.0 sec!

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  pickup review - 1993 Ford F-250
  By oiu574 - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Small transmission leak,otherwise no problems. Used primarly for trailer towing.