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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  Great Car For The Money! - 2007 Ford Taurus
  By Mike - October 29 - 11:15 pm

  This is an all round great car that you can enjoy for a great price. I bought mine nearly new for $12,000. I get almost 30 MPG on the highway and about 19 MPG in the city, not bad for a fairly large car. I have driven the Ford Taurus for many years as a rental car and have always been impressed by both its comfort and dependability. The car goes great in the snow. This is a perfect family or work car if you are not hung up on the latest styles.

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  Dependable car! - 1996 Ford Explorer
  By Elizabeth Smith - October 29 - 5:11 pm

  This is a comfortable, good riding, easy handling car with plenty of cargo space. We kept this car to use for our road trips, because it rides better than our new 2016 car!

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  Bang For My Buck! - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By catpurzz - October 29 - 3:09 pm

  I shopped around for about 3 months and wanted another Cobra, But found this jewel, my silver GT! This car is immacculate! It has no dings or dents and handles as good as my 1997 Cobra which was the year they made only 5000. My GT is a 40th anniversary with black leather interior, excellent condition followed by a powerful 4.6 liter V8, it handles so good and sounds like the awesome Mustang it is!

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  My first New Car - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By Sheilah99 - October 29 - 4:05 am

  We bought this new in 2005 and had in shop several times during 36,000 mi warranty for a variety of reasons. Dealership unable to identify weird sound from rear wheel, brakes that comes on after long trips. Decent mileage on road/city: 22/17. Have also experienced rear windows sticking and not able to open in hot TX summer, but working fine now in cooler fall (dealership ignored problem when reported). Now that were fitting two baby carseats in car, we wish we had more room in backseat so that front seat doesnt have to be pushed forward to fit infant seat. Leather has been great, but experiencing cracking on front seat at sides. Had to replace dealer stereo to accomodate ipod hook- up.

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  Black Thunder - 2014 Ford Fusion
  By Terrell Williams - October 29 - 2:32 am

  Ive had quite and experience with buying my first car. Make sure that you check the car inside and out. Test drive it to make sure you feel comfortable driving it. I bought the car not realizing it was bigger than I thought but, over over the car was a beauty. Unfortunately the transmission was bad so I traded it in. But, over all the car was very nice.

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  1996 Ford F350 4wd LB - 1996 Ford F-350
  By bjsfolly - October 28 - 3:31 pm

  I use this truck like a truck. I dont expect it to be fun or drive like a car. I haul hay and horses. It restored my faith in American built vehicles. For 11 years I drove it with virtually no repairs and only casual maintenance. Today I will replace the u joints, some seals, a cracked manifold but overall, still just an excellent workhorse doing what it was designed to do. Other than brake linings, trans flush, radiator flush, and oil that is all I have done since I purchased with 3,000 miles on it.

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  Love my GT/CS Convertible! - 2007 Ford Mustang
  By Sherry - October 28 - 2:39 pm

  This is a really fun car to drive! One thing that helped this car tremendously in handling was an Eibach lowering kit - before lowering it the car would get some serious body roll in the turns. After lowering it I sacrificed some of the cushy ride, but owning a Mustang isnt about being cushy! The delayed throttle response due to the fly-by-wire technology is a little strange to get used to, but can be compensated for by adding a hydrogen assist kit - supposed to help with gas mileage (and it does by about 1-2 mpg), but in this car with a tune it actually added about 12-15 hp, which seems to all come in during the low rpms, improving throttle response and the seat of your pants launch.

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  06 SCS V6 Mustang - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By glewis29 - October 28 - 12:43 pm

  I just bought a new Southern California Special (V6, Pony Package, Interior Upgrade, LeMans stripping, Chrome Exhaust tip & side tape delete). The exterior design is what I fell in love with and the Pony Package and LeMans stripping finish it off perfectly. I drove both a V6 & V8 automatic ... the V8 was absolutely fabulous, but I just couldnt justify the $4k extra. The V6 is completely satisfying. So far the interior is growing on me. Im very happy I got the charcoal interior and leather seats; it greatly increases the class of the vehicle. The build quality is overall pretty good, Im happily surprised. Reliability will have to wait.

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  Great little reliable truck - 1999 Ford Ranger
  By Hatch - October 28 - 12:41 pm

  This was the second Ranger I have owned and both were very reliable vehicles. If were not for the rough ride and the need for a larger vehicle for a new baby I would definitely hold onto it. Ive never had any problems when driving it in the last six years (90,000 miles) and got my clear through college. That is if you dont count the time I had to go through the fuel system thanks to my wife putting diesel in my fuel tank on accident.

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  4.2L and still going - 1998 Ford F-150
  By RC - October 28 - 12:05 pm

  I found this truck used last year and my wife just about killed me when I brought it home. Currently I have 272,000 plus miles on the original engine and transmission. Ive pulled up to 25ft campers and up to 32ft boats with this truck. Ive filled the bed with wood and it just keeps going. The body is excellent even after being backed into by an Envoy. The dent just popped out. Ive replaced the tailgate handle, steering gear, and transmission oil cooler lines(all over 250K). I cant say enough about this truck. At 272k it still runs, drives, and shifts great and is still a good looking truck. Ford will be my next truck as well.