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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  Very Happy with Ford Edge - 2011 Ford Edge
  By rtp_owner - October 24 - 3:30 am

  We purchased a 2011 Ford Edge - for gas mileage we went from a 2007 Suburban (great but thirsty) to a 2009 Mariner (OK on gas but no go) to the Edge. Did not realize Edge was so heavy, but appreciated how solid it was. Great car. No issues whatsoever. Bought low end FWD model. No touch screen etc. Cloth seats were warm in winter so seat heater no missed. Little bit of hesitation on times at acceleration but really strong engine. Brakes were solid and steering was also OK. Climate control worked well. 30,000 miles and only routine oil changes. Zero mechanical issues at all. Did not tow with the car but dont think it would have been an issue. Highly recommend the Ford Edge.

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  Near perfect SUV - 2012 Ford Escape
  By billf5 - October 21 - 2:32 pm

  I have had my 2012 Escape Limited with the V6 engine for 10 months and 10,000 miles. There has been no reason to bring it back to the dealer since purchase. I am getting 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. I love the looks and features of this well proportioned SUV. With full time 4 wheel drive it handles great in rain and snow. Never any slipping or sliding. For the money I think you get a lot of vehicle.

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  Ford has always had better ideas - 2013 Ford Edge
  By awaya - October 20 - 4:08 pm

  This car surpassed my expectation. The quality is very good and came very well equippted. The seats provide good support both front and rear. The Ford My Touch is vastly inproved. I test drove the 2.0 engine for 1 week but felt it to be a bit under powered and had too much down shifting for my liking. Although the 3.5 engine is more than capable, quiet and reliable it seems to fall short in overall gas milage. Overall the car is great and we look foward to many trips with it.

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  Its a truck. - 2006 Ford Ranger
  By kdub989 - October 18 - 12:39 pm

  Bought mine used off Clist. Love my truck! The 4cyl isnt fast on steep grades but neither am I. However, with the 4cyl and 5spd, Im averaging 29.5mpg combined and 32.2mpg hwy and thats running the a/c and with a Leer canopy. The truck is very quiet and comfortable that we prefer to take it on long road trips instead of our honda, subaru or dodge caliber. Our ranger is a 2wd but I installed a powertrax no-slip in the rear end and off road its fantastic. Ive pulled a small utility trailer with 2 motorcycles on it with no problems. Ive had zero problems with our truck. It handles well on windy twisty back roads and is a great truck for exploring those same roads.

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  Great value - 2012 Ford Fusion
  By waynetk003 - October 18 - 8:02 am

  Ive had my 2012 Ford Fusion SEL with the 4 cylinder engine, FWD, & 6 speed automatic transmission for one year. I average 25-26 MPG city and 34 MPG highway. I have all of the options except the NAV, but I have a Garmin. I previously had a 2008 Lincoln MKZ and, aside from the motor, it is the same car which is why I bought it. The 4 cylinder is certainly not as peppy as the V6, but it pays you back at the pump as the Lincoln averaged 19 MPG in town. Also, if you dont mind the Blue Oval instead of the Lincoln badge, there is an over $9000 price difference.

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  moving on up from 81 chevy blazer,first luxury car - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By coloradobell - October 16 - 4:46 pm

  we just brought our explorer from dearship, its only had 58000 mile on the engine. By looking at you would think it just came off the assembly line. We love it. This are first luxury suv in twenty five years of marriage. I am married to retired car parts salesman and he didnt say one word about the cost of parts for explorer. Believe me first time ever!! Every other suv I thought about buying never ending. My husband now refuses to drive the old chevy which we still have.Hes in love with our car. its is gas hog, but after driving uncomfortble suv for nearly 15 years. The trade up was well worth it. Now I know we have dependable car going over colorado winter passes

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  Escape much improved in 2013 - 2013 Ford Escape
  By gassendi - October 16 - 4:16 pm

  Traded up from my 2007 Legacy sedan - needed more room and better mileage, and I found both at Ford. We have a 2005 Mazda Tribute (rebadged Ford Escape) and we have really liked it, when the Subaru proved unreliable, we looked at the new Escape and chose it over the Forester and Mazda CX-5. Exterior styling is excellent - much more like BMW than Fords traditionally blocky lines. Interior is very comfortable for extended rides, roomy and functional, too. One lever fold-down rear seats give a flat floor for loading cargo back seat is roomy enough for a 6-ft adult to sit comfortably. Still learning My Ford Touch system, but voice command works reasonably well.

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  The best mustang ever - 2012 Ford Mustang
  By fastredponycar - October 12 - 1:58 pm

  Ive had my 2012 GT premium for about a year and a half now and it has been absolutely FLAWLESS from day 1. The manual transmission is smooth as butter, the car accelerates like a missile, the candy red metallic paint is mesmerizing in the sunlight and the interior (especially with saddle leather) rivals European quality (my wife has a 2010 Audi A4 and we both agree the mustangs interior design/quality is superior) I feel like I have sacrificed NOTHING with this car and thats the first time Ive ever felt that way about owning any car. The back seats are JUST big enough to fit 2 average sized adults and the trunk holds JUST enough luggage & fuel economy is mid 20s mixed hwy/city.

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  Elegant Full Sized Vehicle with Luxury and Spunk - 2013 Ford Taurus
  By kquark - October 11 - 1:19 am

  We discovered the new Taurus through renting it first. We did not even realize the car was a Taurus because it was nothing like previous versions. We ended up renting it again for another trip and decided this was the car we would purchase after doing some research with other comparable cars. The 2013 Taurus really just feels like a complete luxury vehicle. This is the first American car we purchased in over twenty years. Every detail speaks to quality and design. For example the dashboard is not only very functional but extremely appealing aesthetically.

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  Fords Warranty is a bad joke - 2012 Ford F-150
  By arveejay - October 10 - 7:23 pm

  I have had my new truck for 6 months and till a week ago I thoroughly enjoyed it. It has developed a crack in the grille surround that even the dealer has said looks like a stress crack. This happens when something is overtightened when it is built. The dealer took pictures of the crack and sent them to Detroit. Ford told the dealer to tell me it was normal for the hood to crack when the hood is closed and that they would not cover it under warranty. The truck is 6 months old, has less then 7000 miles on it and Ford will not replace a $300.00 grille on a $42,000 truck still under bumper to bumper warranty. What will Ford do if I drop a transmission while under warranty? Ignore me again?