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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  2004 F150 - 2004 Ford F-150
  By lennyp - December 15 - 10:00 am

  I think Ford has improved the F150 over in both design and performance. The ride seams to be smoother than the previous design.

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  Back to Basics Hot Rod - 2003 Ford F-150
  By BlackLightningS8 - December 15 - 10:00 am

  A fun and exctng vehcl, prfrmnc on par with a BB muscle car. The interior is very unsophstcted, boring and neither fnctnal nor sprty. The tires work very well but last about 10K mi due to the wght and ease of unintntnal tires spin. It is geard so low that at 80 mph it runs at 2500 rpm, it seriously needs a 6 spd man tranny. It tows my boat very well. It runs the advertised 140mph and feels like its on rails. The hndlng is superb, thumbs up to SVT for a very neutral well-blncd hndlng pckg. The SC is awsome, a chip will improve shifts and adds some power. It is a narrowly focused package that lacks versitility, but the prfmnc is excllnt.

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  98 awd, xlt - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By kmday - December 15 - 10:00 am

  the car was great for the first year or so. the front end ball joints went at about 30,000K. wheels went out of alighment quite often. ive been thru 3 sets of tires. the radiator coil blew at 45,000. the truck has had 2 different tune- ups, and one guy replaced 2 or the four hot/cold sensors. its. ok in heat, in cold its"chitty chitty bang bang" shakes,and rattles and causes the check enging light to go on and when read via the computer, it stated enging misfire, but cannot designate where. and somewhere in the middle of all this mishap, the l.e.d. readout on the radio, cd, and tape have vanished, as well as the clock.

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  Expedition - 2004 Ford Expedition
  By Stinky - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Hard to get in and out. I am tall. Running boards do not help and acutally get in the way. Would buy again

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  Eddie Bauer Explorer Comments - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By John Jimson - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Purchased third row seating and find it comfortable even in such a short wheelbase vehicle. A fine value in a relative low priced truck.

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  What a difference 10 years makes! - 2006 Ford Expedition
  By J Tant - December 15 - 9:37 am

  I used to own a 1997 Expy EB which I drove until it died. After driving a 4 door sedan my family started growing which meant I needed a larger vehicle. I found a nice 06 Expy Ltd which I recently purchased. Its a good SUV! I appreciate the independent rear suspension which allows the third row seat to fold flat, something my 97 was missing. The overall driving experience is much enhanced as well. Theres plenty of room inside for everything and everyone I haul around, towing capacity is perfect for what I need, and the Expy actually does pretty well with off-road beach driving. Overall, this is much improved over the 97 Expy I used to have. Im very impressed.

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  Chevy man converted - 2008 Ford Fusion
  By truckinkjm - December 15 - 8:41 am

  This is my first Ford and I must say this is the most trouble free new car Ive ever had. But first let me point out a few things that bother me a little. First I find the headroom is too low. Im 5 10" and my head is about a inch and 1/2 from the roof. No standard auto headlights, no standard outside temp, no standard traction control. The headlight switch down too low on the dash and so are fan and temp. switches. But that aside this is a great car very reliable and fun to drive. I highly recommend this car.

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  Just an awesome CUV - 2007 Ford Edge
  By Dave - December 15 - 1:13 am

  This is a great vehicle. Do not make the mistake of buying the Edge without the Vista roof. I keep the sunshade open on sunny days and the tinting of the panels is still sufficent as to not bake in the seats. The VR alone gives you the feeling of a much larger interior. Very easy exit/entry and provides great visibility (height) for those who are used to the view from an SUV. Brake, headrest and liftgate concerns from other reviews are non- existant. I will admit that there is a glare reflecting the dash onto the windshield when driving from my Camel interior, but you have to be looking for it to notice.

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  ISSUES WITH FIVE HUNDRED - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By mdarnell - December 14 - 9:43 pm

  This vehicle has been in the shop for the following to be replaced and Ford will not buy it back: amp-replaced 3 times, speaker-replaced 2 times, cd-replaced 3 times, bubbling dash-5 times. This vehicle still makes a roaring noise and every electrical noise comes through the speakers. When it is very hot or extremely cold as well as after it rains in when this noise comes up. It is so loud you have to turn the radio or ignition off. We have arbitrated and they refused to still take it back. It is going back in the shop Thursday AGAIN for them to tell us they dont know what else to do. Just want to warn those of you out there.

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  Excellent vehicle for trailer towing et - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By Dennis Miller - December 14 - 6:32 pm

  I have found this to be an excellent vehicle. Interior is as new. Very limited repairs aside from a couple of brake jobs. Michelin tires put on by Ford for free are still serving me. Tows a 4,000 lb. trailer no problem..in the mountains. AWD has proven to be terrific. Have passed stalled/stuck buses, cars, SUVs many times in the mountains. Everything works! 11 years old.