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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  The Amazing Focus...La Blue - 2005 Ford Focus
  By Kathy Kearney - February 14 - 10:00 am

  My expierence with my 2005 Ford Focus has been very new, fun and exciting. It has no play in the steering wheel and turns on a dime. It rides like a big car because it has 16" tires and seems sound proof from the road noises.I still cant believe it is a small car as it constantly rides and handles almost like the Mercury Marquis that I traded in.I have only had it a couple of months but the enjoyment of not visiting the gas station frequently has been great.The 4 cylinder engine seems like an 6 or 8 cylinder as it has incredible spunk and pick up when you need to pass or you are on the thruway. It is my first new car. and It was fairly priced and it truly is an amazing focus.

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  Awsome V8 T-bird - 1995 Ford Thunderbird
  By redace98 - February 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used in 97, it had only 28,000 miles on it. I love this car handles great and the v8 engine is smooth and quiet. I would buy this vehicle again if i could. Always my choice for long trips. Few mechanical issues but still going strong.

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  Excellent All Around Vehicle - 2001 Ford Explorer
  By Jon K. - February 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle new in March 2001 and we use it for traveling and pulling our boat. With 80,000 miles on it, it is still as tight as the day we bought it... I cant say that about my sisters GMC Jimmy that she bought at the same time! The Explorer is excellent in the snow and mud and will take almost anything you can throw at it. We use it to pull a 4,200 lb boat and trailer to lakes that are over 300+ miles away and have never had a single problem with it.

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  2004 F-150 SuperCrew - 2004 Ford F-150
  By Charlie B. - February 12 - 6:20 am

  The 2004 F-150 SuperCrew holds the road well, offers a solid ride and comfortable room for five. Still,it leaves room for improvement. One bugaboo is the A/C; you have to hit a smallish button every time you start the vehicle to engage the A/C. The Continental tires that came standard are cheapish, and would be much better with Goodyears or Goodrich truck tires.

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  Fun to drive/ expensive too! - 1994 Ford Mustang
  By Jolonco - February 12 - 2:00 am

  Bought vehicle and for the first 12000 miles the only service the vehicle required was a clutch. A/C came at 105000 miles and head gasket came at 136000 miles. Now it needs a power steering rack and new catalytic converters.

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  Second Taurus, dunno why. - 2001 Ford Taurus
  By Joe Salama - February 12 - 2:00 am

  Well what can I say? Its a Taurus. Mine does not have the 24valve dual overhead-cam engine w/200hp, I have the 3.0L vulcan w/155hp. Performance and fun to drive arent the questions you should ask when purchasing a Taurus. I all too often get the feeling that I have rented this car rather than purchased it it blends really well with traffic and you WILL lose it in a parking lot. It is, however, high quality, extremely reliable and practical although it consumes gas as if it had a larger engine I am averaging 18miles/gallon. Its a good car for the money but loses value really quickly. Its not the best its class or price range.

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  Economy that works - 2004 Ford Ranger
  By fireball - February 11 - 2:00 am

  The acquisition cost at the end of the season sold me on the Ford Ranger. Incentives and discounts comprised 25% of the acquisition. Thus a new vehicle and warranty for the price of a used vehicle. The vehicle has a solid feel and good road manners. Handles corners well. Economy is what it is for a truck but performance of the little v-6 is better than the test on a 4 cylinder. I have friends who have close to 200.k on thier truck. that also sold me on the Ranger.

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  Alright Car - 1996 Ford Aspire
  By Bade - February 11 - 2:00 am

  I dont think it is the greatest car, but I do prefer it over some others. The size is what gets me...it is a little to small sometimes, other huge cars like Dodge Ram pickups tower over me, but then it is normal size against other cars. Not as fast as I hoped, but since I have bought it I have never had to do any special work on it other than the usual oil change, and filter change.

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  Ford F-150 = The most reliability ever!! - 1998 Ford F-150
  By Fordlvr - February 11 - 2:00 am

  We got this truck in february of 2002 and it is february 11 2004 and we have not had 1 problem except for the dual exhaust breaking, and thats it, the 4.6 V8 sounds awsome up in the 5,000ks and it rides smooth like a car, the 6 cd changer is a great amentity and the speakers are impossible to blow and sound great. the truck is at 114k now and runs like brand spanking new, if you see one of these trucks for sale and you need a truck, HERE you go, buy it.... Ford TOUGH

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  4,207 Miles in 14 Days. - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By Jacob Tennessen - February 10 - 9:58 pm

  I rented a 2016 XLT for a long road trip and enjoyed. Overall I would give the vehicle 4 stars for attractive redesign and decent road manners. The vehicle had alot of nice features for the price of that model. It was all wheel drive and averaged only 21 mpg, but with a heavy foot (avg 85mph on interstate). It held the road well at high interstate speeds. The six speed auto behaved well outside of the almost always wanting to downshift at the slightest hill. The best word to describe the feel of this SUV is "pudgy". It is thick...dash, pillars and body. It drives similarly...not fat like a truck based SUV but you can still feel the weight in its performance. I found myself looking for more power on occasion, but the V6 is a decent mover when pedal is mashed. Nitpicking small things annoyed me like the design of the steering wheel. You cant hold the bottom of the wheel and the buttons for the functions were numerous and difficult to discern by feel...you have to look down to find right button...not good. The cloth interior (Black) was actually pretty nice. Durable and easy to keep clean. I didnt miss the leather and sunroof, but I did miss the auto climate control and auto rear view mirror. I hated having to constantly adjust. The third row lays flat nicely and the depth of luggage area increases when seats are pulled up which comes in handy, but still, as with most midsized suv third rows, its pretty tight in the back for people and luggage when the seats are up and not easy to climb back to the back seat for an adult. Overall though I would rent again. If for no other reason than decent space and comfort.