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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  SUPER DUALLY - 1994 Ford F-350
  By OPOSSUM - May 3 - 2:00 am

  JUST HAD THIS TRUCK FOR ABOUT 2 1/2 MONTHS. BOUGHT IT AS A 9 YEAR OLD TRUCK WITH JUST 38,000 MILES ON IT. I SPECIFICALLY BOUGHT IT TO PULL A 5TH WHEEL CAMPER. SO FAR, IT IS A JEWEL. MORE THAN ENOUGH POWER, STYLE AND HANDLING ARE EXCELLENT. I GET COMPLIMENTS EVERYWHERE I GO. OKAY, IVE ONLY PUT 1,000 OF MY OWN MILES ON IT. HOWEVER, I INTEND TO KEEP IT FOR A LONG TIME. THE MPG IS POOR AT ABOUT 11MPG...BUT, HEY, YOU DONT BUY THIS KIND OF TRUCK FOR GAS MILEAGE. YOU BUY IT FOR DURABILITY, FLEXIBILITY AND DRIVEABILITY. OH, YEAH, IT WILL DO ANYTHING YOU WANT OR NEED IT TO DO. JUST CALL ME BUBBA.

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  Teens outlook - 2000 Ford Contour
  By Teenager2 - May 3 - 2:00 am

  Overall a fun car to drive. A few lil ford problems here and there but a great value. Very nice perfromance on the road. Nice brakes. For a teen, its a great car.

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  Decent Ride, Killer Gas - 2005 Ford F-150
  By Richard - May 3 - 1:56 am

  Bought recently, have put 1500 miles on it. Came with the 5.4L engine upgrade. I test drove the F150, Silverado and Ram. The Chevy and Ram are MUCH faster but the F150 is the most refined. The interior is much improved over the 03. Ive been trying to squeeze the most out of my mileage with a soft foot (never revving past 3000rpm, A/C usually turned off), but I still manage only 13.5 local/hwy combined. With gas prices climbing, I might have to get an economy beater car for hwy driving. If you want acceleration, go with the Chevy or Dodge. But the F150 beats em out in almost all other categories

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  one long haul - 1991 Ford F-150
  By Ford Paradise - May 2 - 2:00 am

  i bought this truck from my uncle, who used it as a consruction truck. so far it has had a long, hard life, but it keeps on coming. it has about 375k miles on it now, and the only thing i have had to do to it is replace the radiator, and do a tune-up and do regular mainteanance. it has a 300ci motor in it, and has been truckin forever. i love this truck

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  my Harvick - 2000 Ford Escort
  By JoJoz1986 - May 2 - 2:00 am

  My car has been very good to me in the past 11 months. It gets a lot of miles put on it but I still love to drive it.

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  my car! - 1994 Ford Aspire
  By tori c. - May 1 - 2:00 am

  For a 9 year old car, my Aspire is in great running shape. I bought it about a year and a half ago, and it had one previous owner. Im going to be getting a new (used) car in the near future, and the great fuel economy of this car is going to be hard to beat! Had a new clutch installed earlier in the year, but other than that, no major problems.

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  great little car!! - 1994 Ford Aspire
  By teresa - May 1 - 2:00 am

  Great, reliable, fuel-efficient around town car! Lots of room!! I plan on keeping it forever. But....not powerful or heavy enough to compete with fast moving highway traffic.

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  ford can not fix their own cars - 1994 Ford Taurus
  By bluebird - May 1 - 2:00 am

  I love this car,but it developed a problem with starting. Took to a mechanic or that iis what he called himself. $618.00 later and it still will not start. Took to Ford-$90.00 and they do not know what is wrong with the car.Maybe I can trade it in and let it be someone elses headache. I am tired of paying mechanics and tow trucks. It is sad Ford will not stand by its product. Anyone else with this problem.

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  ford can not fix their own cars - 1994 Ford Taurus
  By Bluebird - May 1 - 2:00 am

  I love this car,but it developed a problem with starting. Took to a mechanic or that iis what he called himself. $618.00 later and it still will not start. Took to Ford-$90.00 and they do not know what is wrong with the car.Maybe I can trade it in and let it be someone elses headache. I am tired of paying mechanics and tow trucks. It is sad Ford will not stand by its product. Anyone else with this problem.

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  2003 Ford Explorer XLT Sport - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport
  By davem2003 - April 30 - 7:58 am

  I purchased my 2003 Ford Explorer Sport back in 2006 truck was 2.5 years old and had 32000 Miles on it. I am a Heavy equipment mechanic so I service my own vehicles. regular oil changes every 3000 K, front rear diff t-case oil every 50000 K, I have replaced brakes many of times approx. every 40000K fronts and 60000K rear, I tow a 3500 l b trailer a few times a year across country in summer rest of driving is around town, Truck now has 172500 K on it and still runs well, Ive also replaced the tires twice and battery once everything else is all original!! This vehicle does everything I ask for.