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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  Love my baby - 2009 Ford Fusion
  By Jack D - May 23 - 12:44 am

  I just bought the Fusion 09 and LOVE IT! Compared it to Lex 250, Toyota Solora, Audi A4, Volvo s30....LOVE IT! Absolutely saw it and was speechless....

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  My second Edge GT - 2001 Ford Mustang
  By Dad that likes fun - May 22 - 7:52 pm

  I bought a 2002 GT new and it was a fun car but the insurance was too much and I had to sell it. I just bought this 2001 GT convertible and it brings back all the great memories of that 02 but now the insurance is 1/3 the price. I love these cars because they are the cheapest fun you can use to commute to work. I get 27 mpg, 130 miles a day and my 3 year old loves it. Its loud (flowmaster) fun, fast, and engaging for a person that loves cars. Why anybody would commute in a boring daily driver I cant understand when you can get these things so cheap used and they get decent mileage....I was buying a new Challenger this year but think I made the right choice.

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  Best Car I Ever Owned - 2003 Ford Escape
  By ThePhantom - May 22 - 7:37 pm

  I went to buy a replacement Windstar in the fall of 03 and drove home in a red 2WD Escape. My wife and I fell in love with it immediately. Since then we have changed he oil and filter every 2500 miles and replaced filters and belts. The factory tires were horrible and screamed and moaned. I replaced them with Michelins and turned the Escape into a whole new, quiet, smooth-riding vehicle. Other than that the car has not been in the shop. It has required ZERO repairs in 65K miles. None. Zilch. Nada. This is far and away the best, most dependable automobile I have ever owned.

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  Escape is tops. - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Don Ogle - May 22 - 7:03 pm

  The 2004 Escape has plenty of power, plenty of room and good gas mileage. I have had, knock on wood, absolutely no problems with the SUV.

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  06 AWD Freestyle - Great Car - 2006 Ford Freestyle
  By Gary - May 22 - 4:46 pm

  Purchased and drove the vehicle about 1400 miles in two days. Very comfortable car. Rear air is handy for kids in very back - without it, they get warm. Fuels economy 26 @ 70 mph; 23 @ 75 mph and 21 @ 80. I was a bit disappointed with the fuel economy at 80. CVT transmission works wonderfully, and the vehicle rides as quiet as a Lexus.

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  Great family truck - 2006 Ford F-150
  By Bert - May 22 - 2:52 pm

  Love the truck, can get family of four into w/no prob. Truck tow great, no lack of torque for hulling.

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  Best Big vehicle ever owned - 2000 Ford Excursion
  By 2000 Ford Excursion - May 22 - 2:42 pm

  I bought my 2000 Excursion off the CarMax website out of Dallas Texas without even seeing it in person. I trusted the salesman & he was honest enough to tell me the truth. He said the vehicle was in great shape so I had it shipped to Houston & when I saw it I fell in love with it before I ever drove it. It was BEAUTIFUL!!! It has the towing power to pull my travel trailer without bottoming out the gas gauge and it pulls like it has nothing behind it. Does not sway and handled so much safer than the 2 previously owned Surburans I had. It has a V10 and is great on gas. On the open road I get between 15 and 20 mpg and never less than 12 while towing anything. I now have 125,000 miles.

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  Im glad to be rid of it. - 2000 Ford Focus
  By William D. Arthur II - May 22 - 10:00 am

  After taking our car in for all the recalls, and not being able to get the gear shifter repaired, because we were told that there was nothing wrong with it. I will say that I took the car to a small town Ford Dealer/Service Dept. and after removing the entire dash the A/C finally worked on hot days. Im just glad to be rid of it.

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  good car - 2001 Ford Focus
  By crusin14108 - May 22 - 10:00 am

  Good car for the money,gas mileage 29 mpg average, reliable so far have 20000 miles on car, not real happy with blue oval service.

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  Great car - 1996 Ford Explorer
  By pleased owner - May 22 - 10:00 am

  Great reliability and very low maintainance. I have had virtually no problems with my car and it still runs smooth.