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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  3rd Explorer Happy Owner - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By rcohan - January 13 - 10:00 am

  This is my third and most favorite Explorer. Unless youre towing boats, the V6 vs the V8 is definitely the way to go, especially since the horsepower and torque of each are so close. I hear alot about the ride being trucky but even without bucket seats (which I had in the last two Explorers) I have found the ride to be very comfortable. Thus far I have six years of outstanding reliable driving - not a single extra trip to the Dealer, beyond the replacement of defective Goodyear tires!

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  FORD EXPLORER GREAT FAMILY VEHICLE - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By deborah - January 13 - 10:00 am

  If you want a vehicle thats dependable, reliable, comfortable ride, and if you have grandchildren then this SUV is what you need. Its great for trips because you have plenty of storage and the seats are very comfortable. Because we have grandchildren we opted for fabric seats and with the fabric protector spills arent a problem. The grandchildren like it when theyre together because they arent crowded. They can even get in the very back seat from either side of the car.

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  Best SUV - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By Herm512 - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I love the ride. I love the look. It just needs a V-8 for more power.

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  its a nice ride - 2003 Ford Explorer
  By palazzo - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I switched from a ford windstar minivan to the explorer 4wheel drive truck. The only drawback is that there is less trunk space in the explorer. Other than that the truck is great to drive and more comfortable to be riding in. WE NEED MORE SUVs.....BIGGER IS BETTER AND MUCH MORE SAFER !!!!!

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  zzzoooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm - 2003 Ford Mustang
  By James Casavant - January 13 - 10:00 am

  nothing but the best for this guy starting his mid life crisis! LOL

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  Mustang lover - 2003 Ford Mustang
  By Robert Keller - January 13 - 10:00 am

  It may not be like the 2005 that is due out next year, but it is RETRO enough to me

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  Awesome retro car - 2003 Ford Mustang
  By SchMACH Good - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I had a 99 GT and loved every minute of driving and owning it until I saw a Torch Red Mach 1 roll off the truck and I had to have it. Kudos to Ford for actually making the shaker hood functional. Too often all we see is this cosmetic inserts in the hood and side scoops which leave you asking why? This car is incredible. The power is great and the retro features arent overdone, but a nice touch. If youre one who likes to turns heads on the street, this car is a great buy.

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  2016 F150 2.7 EcoBoost Is The Real Deal - 2016 Ford F-150
  By BZ - January 11 - 9:54 pm

  I have never owned a Ford truck before in my life, always been Toyota trucks for years, dont get me wrong, Toyota trucks perform fine for the needs of millions, but not for me any longer..I decided to move into a more powerful towing option. This time I gave The Ford 2.7 twin turbo option a try along with looking at the LTZ 2016 Chevey Silverado , moving out of the midsize class Tacoma.. . I did not look at Toyota Tundra (The 2016 ) for more then un hour this time because I did not feel that the Tundra was in step with the times ,dated bulky design not worth the price for it.. Well.. I went with the Ford V6 2.7 ecoboost & man after 2000 miles I am 100% sold on this remarkable engineered machine.. Wow. It looks great It drives great & you get V8 Power in a V6!!! Unbeatable.. This Truck will exceed your expectations if your looking for a middle of the road commuting /Towing truck 8500 pounds... This truck is a winner & blistering fast & the REAL DEAL for the best value for in a full size truck for all around uses. The 2017 I believe has not been changed in the V6 2.7 Why would they!

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  Love my Ford - 2003 Ford Taurus
  By karni - January 11 - 4:02 am

  One year ago I was shopping for a car. I think I got a deal, and purchased an almost new, fully loaded 2003 Ford Taurus SEL Centennial Edition beauty with 7000 miles on it. Paid $14,000 plus $1500 premium extended warranty for 6 years or 75,000 miles. She was reliable. Love this car. I replaced factory tail lights with Altezza euro tail lights so she looks cool now. It still looks sharp on the roads you might see many copycats around, as Hondas, Lexus and Toyotas. They are not fast enough to copy Focus and Taurus. If you are looking for Taurus, Duratec engine is a must. You will enjoy good acceleration.

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  Great Vehicle - 2006 Ford Fusion
  By JB - January 9 - 2:00 pm

  Its really a great car with fantastic handling, good fuel mileage, a peppy 4 cylinder, and plenty of room. After over 3500 miles Ive consistently averaged about 28 mpg with a mix of city and highway driving. This is a family sedan that is actually fun to drive!