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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  Fantastic TB - 2005 Ford Thunderbird
  By Neil - April 16 - 10:49 am

  Our Thunderbird convertible is so much fun to ride around in. It is a head turning, fantastic ride. If I had to do it over again, I would purchase the same car. My husband and I have a lot of fun driving around town and to the coast. We are trying to figure out how we can carry it with us when we begin full time camping. We will find the answer to this problem as the car will go with us.

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  Review of 1999 Ford Explorer - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By Aleta Walker - April 15 - 9:30 pm

  I love my car. Through all the SUV tales of rollovers and the Firestone tire issue we survived and love this car. Only shortcoming is the view and comfort of the back seat. Ford should narrow the front seat headrests for better back seat views. Thank goodness Im usually the driver.

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  Luv my Excursion - 2004 Ford Excursion
  By scoop - April 15 - 5:44 pm

  I love the roominess and all its options, especially the heated seats and the radio controls on the steering wheel. Its roomy enough for me, my husband and my mother and everyone is comfortable and can see out. Ive taken two ski trips to Colorado and it holds all our gear and gets around in the mountains wonderfully. We get good use out of the DVD player with the dual features of using the DVD while listening to the CD player. Those 15 hour trips to Steamboat dont seem so long when you have "The Great Escape" playing on the DVD. 18.9 miles to the gallon traveling to Colorado. If you want a comfy, big, monster truck, this one is for you. This truck has it all, go get one and enjoy it.

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  Hog Heaven - 2000 Ford F-150
  By Hog lover - April 15 - 2:37 am

  Fun to drive, while sitting in comfort. No problems except it took a long time to get the new re-designed fiberglass cover. The wait was worth it. Added a K&N air filter system which helped improve the gas mileage slightly. Sound system is GREAT. It is worth every cent I paid for it!

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  Spring time fun - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By 04SCRMNYLWVERT - April 14 - 9:05 pm

  I love this car. I just got it about 2 weeks ago, found one still new on the dealer showroom floor. Its so fun to drive and gets pretty good gas mileage. I am told the gas mileage will get better once the car is broken in. It handles the corners nicely, and has a good feel to the acceleration. If you want that nice breeze you just drop the top and go. Its the best mustang I have driven so far.

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  SE Wagon, GREAT work and family car! - 2004 Ford Taurus
  By Oscar - April 14 - 8:26 pm

  This SE wagon has the Duratec engine and is very strong. It has several upgrades, such as power seat, pedals, windows, CD, etc. It has been both a work and family vehicle, and I have been most impressed with it. It has plenty of power, room, and I can haul anything and everything in it or on top of it. (roof racks). I travel MUCH with my job and have placed 65K miles on this in 1.5 yrs. NO SERVICE PROBLEMS! It is comfortable considering that I ride up to 5-6 hours at a time. Style is a little "basic", but certainly fine. The only negative that I see is depreciation. Value drops FAST from NEW status. Excellent used car buy. I have had several "used" and for the money, they cannot be beat.

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  Great cheap commuter car - 2008 Ford Focus
  By Tom - April 14 - 7:17 pm

  These model Focus tend to have some vibrations you can feel at stops but its a cheap commuter so you cant be too picky. Ive had mine for just over a year (bought used in 2015 21500 miles) and its been perfect for going back and forth to work in but big enough to move people if need be. I read a two star review saying a new front hub/bearing is only sold with the axle for $800 or something like that, complete [non-permissible content removed] that is, New hub/bearing is $50 off rockauto.

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  Recent Purchase, Happy with it - 2016 Ford Fusion
  By Bret Hoffman - April 14 - 12:59 pm

  Great car. I get about 21 MPG in the city. Still learning how to use all the technology available, but so far so good. Once you know how to word the commands it the system runs pretty well. A lot of compliments on the cars looks and how smooth the car is when being driven on bumpy roads. I was expecting there to be vision issues, but I havent had any.

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  Just got it!! - 2003 Ford Crown Victoria
  By CJin MS - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I have only had it a week and already I am enjoying this vehicle. I have driven suvs since 1996. I was a change to return to a car, but I have yet to regreat the decision to purchase the Crown Victoria.

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  Love it! - 2003 Ford Escape
  By Rai2003 - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I love my Escape! It has a peppy engine that makes driving fun. For a SUV, it gets great gas mileage. It has great cargo space, but it is not a huge SUV, so its easy to drive. Handles like a car! With all the rain and flooding lately, I have tried out the 4WD and I felt secure. It hugs the road!