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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  SuperCrew Spoils You - 2001 Ford F-150
  By predmon - July 17 - 10:22 pm

  I have a 2001 Ford F150 Lariat with 5.4 that I bought in 2007 after my second son was born. This truck has a very comfortable ride with a great features such as the 6 disc CD player, leather seats. This truck allows me to put all 3 of my boys and their stuff in the cab along with tools and go to the farm. I fed cows daily out this truck during the 2010 winter with lots of mud never got stuck but sticky clay mud is very hard to clean up, Im still getting mud out from under this truck 2 years later.

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  06 F-150 SUPERCREW 4X2 XLT (5.4L) - 2006 Ford F-150
  By - July 17 - 6:56 pm

  Going on 6 yrs now with mine, and 34,500 miles. Never skips a beat , and have done all sched maintenance. No problems with the 5.4L so far, but seems a little sluggish. On my 2nd set of tires the tires from ford only lasted for 34000 and started to split. Hope to go another 6yrs with this truck then trade it in for a new one. Quiet ride with little road noise .

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  Best car we ever owned - 1999 Ford Expedition
  By alex1695 - July 16 - 12:47 am

  We have owned this car for about 8.5 years, we bought it used from the dealership at 98k miles and have since spun the odometer to 275k. We are a family of 4 and have done quiet a bit of travel and moving. This car has taken us on multiple long trips and plenty of space for gear and leg room for everybody. On one long trip hauling a u haul in the dark we hit an Elk, sadly in the middle of nowhere, but the car took us another 250 miles to civilization with a cracked radiator, misaligned front end and even rode smooth. This car has never and most likely will never die. Love this car, even gets decent gas for a full sized SUV.

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  Love this car! - 2010 Ford Mustang
  By lba0 - July 12 - 8:01 am

  I recently bought a 2010 Mustang Convertible (base V6 automatic). What an awesome ride! It has more than enough power to get me into trouble, and is an absolute beauty. The lines are amazing. Id recommend it to anyone.

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  Skeptic Turned Convert - 2012 Ford Flex
  By nateinphoenix - July 10 - 4:46 pm

  As a man in his mid-thirties, I watched the "dad-mobile" shift from the station wagon in the 70s to the mini-van in the late 80s, then again to the SUV in 90s and finally to the present day cross over (which will eventually inherit the "dad-mobile" moniker as soon the current trend is recognized for the mainstay is has become). I swore that I would never surrender my manhood to drive anything that could be confused with any of those humiliating words. Yet, from the moment I reluctantly test drove, to the moment I enthusiastically purchased the Flex, I have loved it and have no regrets! The interior space is phenomenal, the finishing clean and refined, and the ride excellent! Thanks Ford!

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  I Love This Car - 2013 Ford Edge
  By catseye - July 9 - 10:06 am

  I now have 1000 miles on my new Edge and I LOVE IT. One adjective that comes to mind is "Refined". You get the feeling that a lot of attention has been paid to the design and ergonomics. Its very stylish and comfortable. On a recent trip I averaged 25 mpg (V6). The tire pressure monitoring system warned me of low pressure I had picked up a nail somewhere that I would not have noticed until the tire went flat. The performance is great and really kicks in when passing. (BTW, I dont think you need AWD added cost, added complexity, reduced gas mileage. I live in Montana and believe that the traction of front wheel drive will be very adequate.)

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  Still great after 9 years - 2003 Ford Thunderbird
  By birdfan - July 6 - 10:39 am

  I bought my new Torch Red Premium with the hard top, select shift and full red accent interior in September 03. With 53K miles, it still looks new and gets noticed all the time. My wife and I have 5 kids and 3 grandkids, so we have a Honda Odyssey as well. The T-bird is our date and anniversary trip car, as well as my daily driver. It has been very reliable, with an occasional coil pack replaced under the 10yr/100K warranty. I plan to grow old with this car!

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  Mustang Sally - 2013 Ford Mustang
  By 13vert - July 6 - 6:34 am

  Ive owned this car for a couple of weeks now and 700 mies. So this is a first impression with 700 miles on the odometer. The 5.0 convertible puts a smile on my face every time we go for a ride. I love the retro styling (old enough to have seen it the first time) and the exahuast note with the top down. Just took the first leg of a 140 mile trip and it performed flawlessly. It is a base model GT convertible with M6 and 301A tech package, which includes SYNC. For the trip with a little preplanning we managed to get everthing in the trunk for a 4 day trip (wife and myself) including a small cooler. Would I buy it again? Yes!!!

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  The stang replacement - 2013 Ford Taurus
  By pointandfigure - July 5 - 9:46 pm

  I traded in my 08 Gt convertible for the SHO and was having having a little remorse till we took the SHO on a 5 hour road trip. Passing cars in the SHO is awesome. I would go from 70 to 95 ok 100 mph before I got in front of the car I was passing. It doesnt have the low end power of te stang but after 60 this car rocks. Great comfort and the gadgets / stereo made me a believer in the SHO.

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  Love my new 2012 Ford Escape Limited! - 2012 Ford Escape
  By swp2012 - July 5 - 5:46 pm

  I am a twenty something single woman and wanted a small SUV without that "mom car" look and something small enough to not feel like Im driving a bus. The Fors Escape was perfect! I have the limited version which was a little more expensive but I dont regret getting it at all! The black/charcoal/grey interior is beautiful and I get so many compliments. The ride is fairly smooth and I get pretty good gas mileage- about 22 mpg city, 24 hwy which is better than expected considering I have the V6 engine. I feel very secure in the car and definitely feel if Im in an accident- I will have the advantage. Its an all around great car and worth the price!