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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  Third Ranger - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By Softie - January 26 - 2:00 am

  Three with no problems.Got 75000 out of the brake pads on #2 Ford has been building this truck for so long that it is bulletproof. Still not bad to look at and very reliable

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  Mines A LEMON - 2004 Ford Thunderbird
  By No longer pleased - January 26 - 2:00 am

  Recieved the car as a gift and was thrilled, at first. The car began to leave me stranded...engine would not turn over. Local dealership service dept. has tried everything but can find no answer to the problem. Car has now been in the service dept. for 11 weeks and still no answer to the problem. I absolutely love the car, but I do not love being stranded waiting for a wrecker...NINE TIMES!

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  Downsized from Full-size 4WD SUV - 2006 Ford Freestyle
  By vwcarcrazy - January 25 - 5:10 pm

  I currently have 3 Fords (Mustang, Taurus and new FS) and a Sebring. Traded my Tahoe to get better seating for 6-7, lower step-in height for my in-laws and better MPG. The CVT trans take a lot of getting used to. The seats are comfortable, but the interior fabric is poor (snags and stains easily). Interior design is modern and nicely done. Front middle vents do not shut off. Daytime running lights not offered. Nice all-around car for hauling the kids/grandkids, but need more power and a 6 speed auto transmission (like the Ford 500) - without giving up any gas mileage.

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  Best truck Ive ever owned, $ for $ - 1998 Ford Ranger
  By abouttime - January 25 - 2:00 am

  It seems lots of folks are looking for a good used truck, for 2nd. vehicle or as primary driver. This Ford Ranger is everything you could ever hope for. Reliable, get in and go, always. 21mpg around town, bed is big enough for most jobs, x cab is great for couple with luggage, etc. 4 cyl/5 speed is strong enough to get a ticket by end of 2nd. gear if you stay in it, floats at 65-70 in 5th.with no effort. Will tow bike trailer with Harley, no problem. Mine has over 100k miles and nothing gone bad except a tail light bulb so far. I cant imagine a better value for the $.

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  I love my Mustang GT!! - 1995 Ford Mustang
  By mahstang - January 25 - 2:00 am

  Nice car. Not particularly reliable or high performance. However after you get the modification bug it gains both fairly quickly.

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  Ones enough. - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By AD - January 25 - 2:00 am

  At 135,000 miles developed heat gasket problem and lost the transmission! The cost of repairing the two is more than the value of the vehicle. Im disppointed. This happened one month after finally paying of the vehicle. I was hoping Id see another year, at least, before having to worry about serious problems. Now, Ive got a real nice "looking" van that isnt worth $300! Rack-and-pinion steering has been bad also quoted $800+ to repair the steering!

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  Goods and the Bads ! - 2002 Ford Escort
  By Mike Shirley - January 25 - 2:00 am

  The vibration is annoying..suprised Ford didnt have enough ambition to fix it before letting it out of its cage !..It is reliable though and has ample power and handeling ! gets me from point A and B.

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  7.3 ltr and love it - 2004 Ford Excursion
  By tiny wife - January 24 - 2:00 am

  We just got back from 6100 miles trip out west, best mileage 20.1, and 17.6 over all. roomiest vehicle ever owned wolud like diffrent front center console, one that would convert to a seat like some others out there. just rotated tires and balanced them, also checked alignment wasnt off enough to change and brakes looked like they never been used. not bad with 13100 miles in just short of six monthes.it didnt come with a rear sway bar so we added one makes big difference.

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  Zippy little thing - 1997 Ford Aspire
  By Fadashio - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. It is fun to drive, especially when it is stick, like mine. Great 1st car!

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  The First Car I Bought - 2001 Ford Explorer
  By mr007 - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car as soon as I got out of high school and I loved every minute of owning it. The car is very fun to drive and is designed very nicely. It does get thirsty at the puump, though.