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:

• 

  Love Our Convertible - 2003 Ford Mustang
  By Stace - December 26 - 10:00 am

  We love everything about our mustang. It handles great, and is lots of fun!

• 

  A Fun SUV - 2003 Ford Escape
  By Thedriver - December 26 - 10:00 am

  The Ford Escape has lived up to my expectations and has been a great vehicle. The engine is powerful enough to climb the grapevine at 70 MPH, leaving the large behemouth SUV class behind. The AWD transmission is solid.

• 

  A Great Little Truck - 2003 Ford Escape
  By Judy Pastuzyn - December 26 - 10:00 am

  This is a great little SUV It has more room inside then you would think. It drives outstanding.

• 

  i love mine! - 2000 Ford Econoline Wagon
  By bob thomas - December 26 - 10:00 am

  this car has served me so well i cant explain it

• 

  Awsome - 2004 Ford F-150
  By whittenpat - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I am a courier and in my 17 years as a courier I have not had a vehichle as dependable and comfortable as my Ford F- 150. I absolutely love it!!!

• 

  Ford Tough - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By Harold J. Hoskinson - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I Love To Drive My Exployer, It Has Over 200,000 Miles On It, Love The Color Too (Brilliant Blue)

• 

  low maintenance & reliable vehicle - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport
  By capecodcuda - December 26 - 7:34 am

  02/2011 i took my 2003 ford explorer xls sport in on trade, for a street bike i had on craigslist. its my daily driver. i driven it all around florida, with friends. its very comfortable driving. i have a 5 speed manual & would have to admit it is fun to drive too. the 4.0L v6 has great power. especially, going through the 3:73 rear end in my truck. maintenance has been very minimal. i am mechanically incline. so, i service my own vehicles. i inspect it daily & services as needed. when i first got the truck i had several minor things to repair. due to previous owners neglect. one common problem with these vehicles is the coolant thermostat housing unit a dealer item $80. i would recommend!

• 

  The Best Compact SUV So Far - 2008 Ford Escape
  By Bob Crane - December 25 - 8:13 pm

  I owned a Honda CRV but didnt like the driving. So, I checked out Ford Escape and loved it during the test drive. The driving was completely different from my old CRV. I felt I was so miserable driving the CRV. Now Im more than happy with my Escape. The fuel economy is as good as CRV. I dont know why people say Japanese cars have better fuel economy than domestics. The fit and finish is awesome, too. Im 62", but still snug enough in my Escape. Oh, by the way, its much much quieter than the old CRV, and even my friends new CRV or RAV4 Ive driven. My friends envy me and tells me as soon as their CRV, RAV4 lease expires, they buy Escape

• 

  at 1 1/2 months - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By stoctkon2 - December 24 - 10:30 pm

  everything about car very good. ride a little rough due to short wheel base and 18 inch wheels. turn signal entirely too loud. old explorer barely hear turn signal

• 

  The Ecoboost Premium Convertible - 2017 Ford Mustang
  By New owner of Ecoboost Premium Convertible - December 24 - 6:17 pm

  I noted most reviews were for GTs. I own an Ecoboost Premium Convertible. Acceleration is so-so. Handling is incredible. Only two complaints are the windows controls are too far forward and the antenna is awkward if you have a car cover but it unscrews solving that. Radio actually works fine without it screwed back in. The rear seats cannot be used for passengers but I knew that in buying it. They do make good interior storage - something the old Z-3 I had was short of. Gas mileage is killer. I saw acceleration is "so-so" only due to my last car, a Lincoln LS with the V-8, being no slouch so the Ecoboost doesnt seem to add anything to that. Compared to something else maybe itd be more impressive. So niggling complaints on what has proven to be an incredibly handling car with enough pop to satisfy. Comfort on long drives is much better than expected - the Z-3 lacked in that department. Review says car acquired in 2016 as page doesnt have 2017 as an option - car was new in August of 2017.