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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  Sweet little truck! - 2009 Ford Escape
  By BarabooDad - April 9 - 4:20 pm

  Got my white suede loaded Limited I4 09 Escape. Great little truck! Seat feels good to drive in, and tons of buttons to play with, I mean use! Plenty of power to merge on to freeway or get in front of trouble, etc. My son likes riding in the back seat. Strong AC/fan and heater, too. The little touches like ambient lighting are cool, too. Didnt get the pretty but expensive Nav system. But the Voice Sync controls work great anyway. Linked my phone to Sync in less than 30 seconds, works great. Now I never even take my phone out of my pocket to make and receive calls. Love the Audiophile sound system, too!

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  I love this van - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By Michelle Scott - April 9 - 4:23 am

  The features on this van astound me. I really enjoy driving this van. Id had a Chevy Astro van before, and this one drives more like a car. The styling and comfort of this vehicle are very impressive.

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  Excursion pulls camper like a breeze - 2005 Ford Excursion
  By Glenn - April 8 - 6:03 pm

  I have the 4 wheel drive diesel Limited Excursion. It pulls my 35 travel trailer with no problems at all. The gas mileage with the diesel engine is about 15-17 city and 17-21 highway. I actually get better mileage than I did with the gas Chevy Suburban I traded in on it.

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  I love it! - 2006 Ford Crown Victoria
  By Griffin - April 8 - 12:36 pm

  Having been a GM guy all my life and owning a Chevy and 2 Oldsmobiles, I was a little hesitant to drive a Ford, having known nothing much about them. This car has suprised me. I find myself driving with the radio off just so I can hear the engine! This car has a serious road presence, and with my Michigan Sheriff front license plate, I find myself often stuck behind traffic doing exactly the speed limit! Mine is a loaded up LX, gently used with 19k on it. I picked it up for only $15k. It has a smooth ride, not too floaty, and not too stiff, and good road feel for such an old-fashioned car.

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  GREAT VEHICLE - 2003 Ford Expedition
  By ROCKYW - April 8 - 10:00 am

  This is the in my opinion rates top in its class for comfort, reliability, and safety. We purchased this vehicle mostly because of safety features and reliability. The only thing I would change would be the engine size,when towing a large boat it could use a bit more power.I should have purchased the (5.4L) insted of the (4.6L).

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  Great classy truck!!! - 2014 Ford F-150
  By Joshua C. - April 8 - 9:56 am

  Purchased an F-150 Platinum (Mine has a 6.6ft bed and an Ecoboost... dunno why its not listed) and love it! Had a 2010 F150 Lariat before that was moderately loaded and was wishing for more. So after I had some equity in the truck we traded in for this puppy and our payments are nearly the same :). Driving these two vehicles in theory should have been the same (minus the engine. The Lariat had the 5.4 w/a 6-speed). Although they were virtually the same truck everything about the way they act is different under the assumption that the engine changes everything. Steering in the Platinum is waaaay more refined and the road noise on the vehicle is greatly reduced at highway speeds. The only thing about the truck I didnt like initially were the wheels... So I actually transferred the wheels from our old one to this one and its actually a truck instead of a pimpmobile. Gas mileage is slightly poorer with the Ecoboost (14vs17 mixed mpgs) than with the 5.4 and Im assuming it has to do with moving all that weight around. Also lets face it. When youre purchasing a truck of this magnitude you have to accept that mileage is going to be more on the poor side. However the pickup on this engine is remarkable and almost car-like so that more than makes up for it. 90% of the interior controls are digital with only volume, temp and some radio preset buttons having hard press keys. With a home menu thats set up.... ok, everything in the vehicle is easy to function and menus are easily read and settings are easy...ish to change. occasionally youll have to tap an option again as the 1st time it didnt register but this isnt to the point that its frustrating. The power fold mirrors and back-up camera are options that are luxuries but not that I have them I dont know how I lived without them in my previous F-150. They make parking and maneuvering this beast a lot easier in a tighter parking lot and I have come to rely on them. Right height is perfect and driving down the road it behaves very well, with all features working beautifully to keep you on the road in the more harsh ND winters. My familys favorite feature of the vehicle has to be all the heated/cooled seats. Being leather in ND this is something of a luxury and a first for us. everyone can now enjoy a warm tush on days where temps can get as low as -30F on the daily and with leather you can get pretty cold down there before things start to warm on in the vehicle. This is definitely a vehicle I can recommend and for one buying the same brand/model of vehicle twice hasnt let me down. Way to go Ford!

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  fusion - 2014 Ford Fusion
  By Mike - April 8 - 5:37 am

  good reliable vehicle

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  2002 Ranger 4x2 Supercab 3.0 - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By Mongo - April 7 - 5:57 pm

  Bought this with 3,000 miles on it, now has 41,000 miles. Except oil and filter changes Ive had to do no repairs. Bought a Ford Extended warranty - may have wasted $800.00 on it. Has a manual transmission which shifts effortlessly. Only thing I wish I had was a tilt steering wheel as Im 64" and sometimes my knee knocks the turn signal on.

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  Wonderful Car - 1993 Ford Taurus
  By Ryan - April 7 - 5:08 pm

  I love my 93 Taurus. I use it everyday as a commuter car. This car has a lot of power on the freeway. Have had very few problems with the car.

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  Best Bird yet - 2002 Ford Thunderbird
  By Leisha TBN - April 7 - 5:00 pm

  Best and most fun car a 50 year old could want!