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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  My fourth - 2005 Ford Expedition
  By Deano - December 21 - 10:14 pm

  Ford must be doing something right-- this is my fourth Expedition. My latest is the Limited model. Overall, I love it. Its got more pickup and better gas mileage. The build quality is superb. Its quiet, tight, and handles well for a SUV. However, whoever designed the main instrument cluster should be tested. Its my only sore point in an otherwise outstanding vehicle because it looks cheap and is not in keeping with the rest of the Limiteds features. Why wont Ford at least offer Michelin tires as an option? My wifes Lincoln has them and they are much better tires than the Continentals. Even so, I would gladly recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a full size SUV.

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  Value Priced, Attractive and Safe - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By PaCarBuyer - December 21 - 5:10 pm

  After suffering sticker shock at my local Chrysler dealership over the underwhelming clunky Pacifica, I arrived at my local Ford dealer and saw something really attractive in style and price. A fully loaded SEL (except) AWD, for $31k, freestyle. My wife says Ford could sell a lot more with a better name. After haggling I got a really good price. A 20 mile per gallon family car with full airbags, really is not a performance car, so who cares if it has the power of a mule, that is what it is. I bought to safely transport my wife, 2 kids and anyone elses kids that climbs in. I love the leather, key pad entry and and DVD player. It is a real buy for the price

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  I Love My New Stang!!!! - 2004 Ford Mustang
  By JNorris - December 21 - 10:00 am

  This car handles beautifully!!! You can feel how solidly it is built. It is very comfortable and very beautiful. I have gotten so many compliments on this car...I love the CD player and all the extras that came with it. The paint job is absolutely gorgeous...it looks like an expensive sapphire going down the road. I think it is by far the prettiest car on the road!

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  Best we ever had - 2014 Ford Explorer
  By Marc Coulon - December 21 - 5:03 am

  Drive it so you can appreciate the comfort. My wife loved the seats!! Hope Ford continue with this model. Our plan is to trade every 2 years and so far this is the model we will choose. Keep it up Ford!

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  The Best Family Vehicle on the Planet - 2004 Ford Excursion
  By AK Force - December 21 - 1:58 am

  This SUV can tow anything, haul the wife, 3 kids, dog, gear-and gets GREAT mpg. The truck is large, but its shorter than a 3/4 ton crewcab pickup. It gets much better gas mileage than a Durango with more space - WAY more. Although its a 3/4 ton, it rides smoothly, and talk about power - I towed my 27ft travel trailer from VA to FL at speeds averaging 65-70 mph and it never once kicked out of overdrive - and I got a solid 12 mpg out of it - the 2002 Yukon XLT I traded in didnt come close - about 7.5 mpg with less tow capacity. With no trailer I averaged almost 20 mpg HWY. I went 802 miles without filling up. Size, power, range, leather, DVD - its the dream SUV for any RV/Truck/Family guy

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  Mustang Lover - 2003 Ford Mustang
  By ponyxpress - December 20 - 10:57 pm

  Even though this is only the second Mustang of this body style and the fact the the 05s are out, I love this car. The Mustang has everything that I had been looking for and leaves plenty of options to upgrade to make the car personally yours.

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  F150 Supercrew - 2001 Ford F-150
  By john coward - December 20 - 1:00 pm

  Pretty much trouble free since new. Check engine light came on at about 10,000 miles and was repaired promptly. Needed front brakes at 25, 000 miles. Goodyear tires have poor wet traction.

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  My wife says "Its adorable" - 2012 Ford Focus
  By crazydave55 - December 20 - 8:13 am

  I bought a SE Hatch with Sports Package, and the beautiful Tuscany leather interior. I wanted to park my 07 Shelby Mustang GT (preservation and better mileage) and get something cheaper to wear out commuting to work every day here in Houston. I could not be more pleased, and my wife says its cute and adorable. Its a win-win. I see some new owners with issues and problems posting here. Those should be taken in context, this car is a brand new design (for the US) and coming out of a brand new (reconfigured) plant. Theres always growing pains related to those two things. I highly recommend the 2012 Focus. Read the magazine reviews, almost always picked #1 over the competition.

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  awesome suv - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport
  By mudslinger - December 20 - 6:10 am

  I love my explorer, i had a little tranny trouble but it cleared up on its own the rear end went out at 140,000 miles but went to my local junk yard and picked up a posi trac rear out of an older modle sport for 60 bucks and back on the road.the posi rear was the best mod i made along with 31x10x15 on 15x10 aluminum wheels which made it wider and handles like a car, the gas milage is great for an suv i average 19 city and 21 hwy which is great considering i have a 95 taurus that gets the same mpg.

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  My First Ford Truck - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By Dave - December 19 - 9:35 pm

  This truck was built with for quality making it affordable and reliable. I use it for my landscaping business and it has never failed me the past 8 months it has not been in the shop for a single mechanical defect! Comfortable and enough power, but still gets about 21 MPG. This truck is my first car and I would advise anyone who wants a truck for work, buy a Ford, you wont be sorry.