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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  Ford Explorer Limited - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By Jeff532110 - April 29 - 10:00 am

  The 2002 Ford Explorer Limited is great improvement over its earlier incarnations mostly because of the independent rear suspension which has improved the ride of this class of Ford vehicle imensely. The total redesign of the Explorer was long overdue and needed in order for this very popular model to compete with all the new SUVs that have flooded the market. Ford definitely has designed a winner in this vehicle.

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  2000 Sport - 2000 Ford Expedition
  By TrueBlue - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Overall have been satisfied with vehicle. The 4.6L engine is quite small for a heavy vehicle with 17"$ tires and a towing package. ABS went south at 40,000 miles ($1,000 to fix Ford/Dealer helped reduce to $200 out of pocket). Read wiper motor broke which lead to a fatigue failure of the wiper blade.

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  2000 Sport - 2000 Ford Expedition
  By trueblue - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Overall have been satisfied with vehicle. The 4.6L engine is quite small for a heavy vehicle with 17"$ tires and a towing package. ABS went south at 40,000 miles ($1,000 to fix Ford/Dealer helped reduce to $200 out of pocket). Read wiper motor broke which lead to a fatigue failure of the wiper blade.

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  Surprising Power - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By Jah Nesta - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Excellent Power out of the V6. Simple mods add a lot too. Pretty poor gas mileage but overall a great car.

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  Dog hauler - 1995 Ford Windstar
  By JEMhounds - April 29 - 2:00 am

  Chemelon Blue ran to FL, to CA, to WA to MN to carry show dogs. Has Never needed anything but tires and front brakes and normal maintenance. Looking for a new one now with RH & LH sliding doors. Will keeep Blue for a daily driver.

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  Sorry I bought one! - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By Abigold - April 28 - 7:06 am

  I had wanted an Explorer for as long as I could remember. I bought mine when it was 2 years old with 35,000 miles on it. The first weekend I had it one of the handles for the back compartments broke. Within a week, a sensor went out. Was great for two years, and then started hearing weird noises from the back. Ive had 3 wheel bearings replaced, additive added to the clutches and now theyre saying a spring is cracked, the clutches need to be replaced, and the differential is shot. Total cost for all is around $2,500. This will be my last Ford. Im moving on to Toyota!

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  Traded the Mustang - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By azure eyes - April 28 - 2:00 am

  I got my 2000 Ford Explorer Sport earlier this month when I traded my 1998 Ford Mustang in for it. I needed much more room for my things, with being an art major in school, and a musician. I liked how the Explorer Sport looked rugged and tough-not weak and flimsy like other SUVs. This one works great for people with busy lifestyles, with things to do and stuff to carry. Its fun to pile all of your friends into the Explorer and head out to the beach, or mountains, with the windows down and radio up. Its very fun to drive- I get a lot of compliments on this vehicle.

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  Long live to my Escort!!!!!! - 1995 Ford Escort
  By Cesar SUV Lover - April 28 - 2:00 am

  This car is a mini-SUV to me :). It does not have the horsepower needed to make it more fast in acceleration, but is the faster that i know, I made 110 miles in the highway at full throttle!!!, and i felt secure, no tend to roll, exelent handling. But when is time to reapir it, is very Xpensive, and it ate lots of bucks. My mother had a roll-over in it recently, we are repairing it, but is to costly saddly, we are thinking in buying extra car, I hope a MS 2K at least

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  Wonderful truck - 1992 Ford Bronco
  By dsickles - April 28 - 2:00 am

  i got my bronco last summer. So far i have had NO problems whatsoever! this is the first car i have bought that i have had no problems with. i am very imperesed with the tight turnning radius and i love taking the top off. i would suggest this truck to any one looking for reliable and fun transportation.

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  I love it! - 1995 Ford Bronco
  By burtneymom - April 28 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely love this truck! My only complaint isnt even the vehicles fault, but it is a little difficult to get my three year old and 6 monthold out of their carseats. O ther than that, my husband and I couldnt be happier. The perfomance, saftey, and reliabilty far outweigh the inconveinance of carseats! 10 out of 10!