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:

• 

  No other SUV can tow as much - 2005 Ford Excursion
  By Vinceman - January 28 - 1:56 am

  No other SUV on the market can tow more than 10,000 lbs. I needed the power of a diesel. I had an 03 Silverado Crew Cab Long Bed 4 x 4 with 8.1 liter gasoline motor with the 5 speed Allison Transmission. Empty netted 10 mpg around town. The Excursion gets 16 mpg.

• 

  Wow - 2002 Ford Mustang
  By J - January 27 - 6:41 pm

  Perfect blend of quality and value. The interior is far more roomy than my old 97, though the back is still very small. Seems to handle flawlessly, with the exception of hitting a bump or a groove on a bridge while turning. Traction control is amazing, got me out of my parking lot uphill on glare ice where my old car would be running in place. Stops on a dime and you just get the feeling that it is an extremely safe car once you start driving it. Might not be the most gas-efficient but you will not find another car with this kind of performance that will get you 20/28 mpg.

• 

  Great Value for the money - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Ted - January 26 - 6:27 pm

  Bought the base 4 cylinder 5 speed new last year. Roomy, versatile, fun to drive, ECONOMICAL, and very capable in bad weather. The size is deceiving. Looks small on the outside, but its as big as our Cherokee on the inside. Routinely get 26 - 27 mpg in town, and 29+ mpg on highway. Anti lock brakes are standard, and the car feels very solid on the road. This little 2.4L 4 cylinder makes as much hp & torque as small 2 bbl V-8s did 20 years ago. LOTS of convenience features, even in base model. Upholstery material could be nicer, and I am finding that the accelerator pedal sticks (wont depress) sometimes when cold - that will be a warranty trip. Otherwise, we love it. Highly recommended.

• 

  Ford Tough - 1998 Ford F-150
  By aaron - January 26 - 4:01 pm

  This isnt my first Ford truck, and Ive been very happy with them. I am a country boy and Im probably harder on my trucks than most people. This truck drives circles around my brothers Silverado out in the muddy fields, and I have had less repairs than he has. The only major repair has been a new clutch, which was my fault. I down graded from the 5.4 to the 4.6 this truck, and wish I had my 5.4 back. This is still a tough truck that is built solid.

• 

  I love it! - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By raveness - January 26 - 3:08 pm

  I have always been a huge Mustang junkie. I vowed to one day own one when my daughters were big enough to actually enjoy the ride. And finally the day came. I got one. And I couldnt say enough great things about it. I love this car. I love the body style. The factory stereo is awesome. I have done a few minor adjustments to the appearance (cosmetic things like adding decals and window scoops) and also modified the exhaust. And even though itÂ’s a v6 it looks and sounds like a v8. I get compliments all the time on how incredible the car looks. It is absolutely beautiful!

• 

  Gotta have one - 2005 Ford Mustang
  By Criziz - January 26 - 12:22 pm

  Simply put this vehicle is so enjoyable to drive and be seen in. It turns heads, is wicked fast and a blast to drive.

• 

  Fabulous Excursion - 2005 Ford Excursion
  By Boris Pasche - January 25 - 11:43 pm

  I just traded a 2000 Lexus RX300 for a 2005 Ford Excursion 4WD Limited. We drove through a very serious blizzard a few days ago. The Excursion on 4WD is unbeatable: comfortable, safe, and very fun to drive. My kids loved watching DVDs in the middle of the blizzard. In term of cargo space, this car is a dream.

• 

  This has been a great truck! - 2001 Ford F-150
  By ronjenson - January 25 - 11:02 pm

  This truck replaced a problematic 1999 Silverado. It drives great and holds the road well. Turning radius is tight. The 5.4 Triton has more than adequate power to pull a 30 travel trailer. The captains chairs are very comfortable and we like the lumbar supports and adjustable pedals since I am tall and my wife is short. The truck has been relatively trouble-free. In over four years I have only made three repairs outside normal maintenance. This included replacing a rear axle bearing, replacing the IAC valve, and replacing a rear rotor (warped due to heat generated by failing axle bearing). In all these repairs cost me about $400 total. Not bad for four years. I would buy another .

• 

  Nicely Upgraded - 2009 Ford Escape
  By lived 2 tell - January 25 - 10:23 pm

  My new car arrived in 12/09 replacing an 07 Escape The 07 was totaled in a catastrophic accident and I lived to tell about it. Thank you Ford for your safety engineering. The 09 4 cylinder has comparable performance to the 07 with a v6. The interior is comfy and controls are easy to use. The 4 cylinder is a bit loud but not awful. I sit and idle for portions of the day (in the cold northern winter) and the mileage is still respectable. This 09 is a nice upgrade over the 07.

• 

  Love my Escape - 2006 Ford Escape
  By Laura - January 25 - 7:24 pm

  This is the second Escape I purchased new. The first one was in 2001 it was an excellent vehicle! I put 106,000 miles on it and never had a problem and it never left me stranded. I upgraded to the 2006 this year. I dont get as good of gas mileage with the V6 on this model, but it is so fun to drive! Lots of power and so easy to park. Perfect to travel in, and lots of leg room in the back. It is awesome, I would recommend a test drive if you want a smaller SUV.