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:

• 

  This Thang Aint No Joke - 2003 Ford Escape
  By Cherbox - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle Sept 2000 when they first came out. I have driven in the snow, but the snowstorm of 2003 proved to me "This Thang Aint No Joke". I had no problem pulling out of piles of snow and I have to drive on the prkwy and I put this sucker into 4x4 and made it safely home.

• 

  excellent - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By karen - January 23 - 9:20 pm

  we love our explorer!! we went from a station wagon to an suv and we could not have picked a better vehicle. only negative is the gas mileage. we love the third row seat and the convience of getting in and out of it.

• 

  My Best Vehicle Ever, Ever, Ever! - 2005 Ford Expedition
  By Frank Driscoll - January 23 - 8:58 pm

  Its an Eddie Bauer 2H-AWD-4WH-4WL with Advance-Track & Stability Control. So it only gets 14-19 m/g as advertised (and it really does) and what would you expect with that new big engine. Its a lot smoother ride than my previous 2000 Expedition EB (AWD) and I think the 2H feature of this tranny contributes to this as much as the independent suspension on the straight aways when I compare the two.The maneuverability is awesome, so that must be where the roll stability and advance track comes in its like driving a fine automobile at speed. It just doesnt feel like a large SUV.And there is no road shock coming through the steering column, floor board or dashboard on rougher roads. ROCKSOLID I love it!

• 

  Saved my familys life - 2004 Ford Taurus
  By Florida Joe - January 23 - 3:03 am

  Ive owned two 2004s. The first one was lost in an accident. The Taurus safety features saved our lives. I was so pleased I replaced it with another Taurus. We love this car. It drives wonderful, great gas mileage. My wife feels safe in this car. No problems with the car.

• 

  LIVIN LA VIDA LOCA - 2005 Ford Mustang
  By Bill Walker - January 21 - 7:40 pm

  I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS CAR. IT IS FUN, FAST AND BEAUTIFUL! EVERYWHERE WE GO PEOPLE STOP AND STARE- IT IS LIKE WE ARE FAMOUS AND OWE IT ALL TO MY CAR. I RACED A Z-28 AND WON. THE BEST PART ABOUT THIS CAR IS THAT IT IS AFFORDABLE ENOUGH TO USE EVERYDAY - BUT LUXURIOUS ENOUGH TO PAINT THE TOWN. FORD HAS WON BIG WITH THIS MODEL- WHAT A HIT!! I AM SO MESMERIZED BY THIS MODEL AND IT DEFINETLY PAYS HOMAGE TO OLD DAYS. WE CHOSE THE LEGEND LIME GREEN AND FEEL LIKE WE ARE THE ONLY CAR ON THE ROAD WHEN WE DRIVE IT. WE ALSO PLAN TO JOIN ONE OF THE LOCAL MUSTANG CLUBS AND NOW LIVIN LA VIDA LOCA.

• 

  Good ol Explorer - 1991 Ford Explorer
  By Mississippi Jon - January 21 - 7:33 pm

  I bought it when it had 80K miles of city driving on it. I now have nearly 200K miles, and have only had to rebuild the transmission, and change the water pump. It is a great road vehicle, gets 22 mpg, and looks fine. I painted it just to get the corporate colors off of it when I bought it from a company rep. It has been one of the best vehicles I have owned.

• 

  Hi-Tech meets Old-School - 2005 Ford Mustang
  By Markum99999 - January 21 - 5:46 am

  By far the best retro-styled auto on the market, Ive owned mine for about a month now and have yet to find anything about it that I think Ford really missed on. She has great looks, a comfortable ride, handles like a sports car should, and believe me, when you go to the whip she really responds. Ive always been a fan of the old Mustangs, but the 05s mix of current technology and old school looks may make it the first true vintage piece of the new century. Youll see these cars in mall shows 20 years from now.

• 

  Why doesnt Ford advertise the C-Max more? - 2015 Ford C-Max Energi
  By Brian - January 21 - 4:13 am

  I love my C-Max energi. I use the 120 volt powercord that came with the vehicle and get the full 5.5 kWh charge in 7 hours for about $.60. That charge carries me 15-20 miles, depending on conditions. Because I do mostly city driving with daily recharging, I get 67 mpg overall. This average is based on 6 months of daily use. Before I got the C-Max, I had a MINI Cooper. It was nice and sporty, but my daughters had outgrown it. We are a tall family, and all 4 of us are comfortably spread out in the C-Max. The kids like the color-changing "disco lights" in the footweels when we drive at night. The one problem is cargo space, buy hey, I bought this car for commuting--not road trips. I love the controls, the quiet drive and the stereo. The GPS can be a little difficult to program, however. I like the back-up camera, but find it difficult to gauge how close I am to another car on the front end. The curved drop off of the front fender makes it hard to determine how much space lies in front of the vehicle. This is such a great car! Ive owned two BMWs, a Saab, a few VWs and let me tell you: the Ford C-max is NICER than all the other cars! Ford hit a home run, as far as this environmentally conscious family is concerned. And its made in DETROIT!!!! My only complaint is that Ford is not bragging and advertising more. Every American family should own a C-Max. It really is that good.

• 

  Mach 1 Mustang - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By TMG - January 21 - 12:43 am

  This is a great car. Fun to drive and show. Great handling and appearance. I have had newer Mustangs before but this one is like driving on a cloud. I am in a wheelchair and the accessibility of the car is great. I can easily transfer and place the wheelchair behind the seat. Easily adaptable to hand controls. Would recommed this car to anyone. Love It!

• 

  Ford person - 2016 Ford Focus
  By Kenneth Argenta - January 20 - 8:04 pm

  Check the docking fee, which is a joke for consumers,thatt a mark-up for dealers. Also the taxes and everything else before buying.