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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  a few details....... - 2004 Ford F-150
  By Trucker Bob - February 23 - 10:16 am

  The 2WD Lariat F150 2004 model is great. A few details and it woud be perfect. Needs more interior storage, pockets, etc, the center console is just a single huge area without any dividers. No underseat storage either. Otherwise great, mileage ok, but not great; 14 in town 16 - 17 on the road. Pretty good for a heavy pickup. Acceleration good, not great though. Handling is great, brakes also great. Tires ok, Goodrich Long Trails. Interior design very good. BUT, wheres the cassette player?

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  review with less than 200 miles..... - 2003 Ford Mustang
  By muscle-car-fan - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Got a deal I couldnt pass up; a new 2003 Mach 1 in Azure Blue, 5 Speed with the IUP for $23,500 before tax and license. Love the look of the car and the engine. The only thing I really dont like is the interior; its pretty cheap looking except the leather seats which are comfortable and supportive. Nothing like the shaker hood! The Cobra is significantly faster, but to me, it doesnt look as sharp.

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  Limited - 2002 Ford Explorer
  By jvrunner - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Dont know if it as good as my 1996 (130,000 miles and very strong) but seems really solid with no trouble. If Ford could get its service together this would be the SUV to buy.

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  Wow - what a car! - 2012 Ford Shelby GT500
  By keboss302 - February 17 - 5:25 am

  I have had eighteen Mustangs (old and new) over the years, including GTs, Mach 1s, a Cobra and a Boss 302, and this one is simply in a different league. First impression when driven off the dealers lot: Drives just like a normal car. No bone-jarring ride, easy to shift, easy to steer, very comfortable and refined. Then the differences start to appear. The ride is supple over rough pavement, but it sticks like glue around corners and you will experience renal failure before the car loses grip. The shifters throws are short, a little notchy, but you get used to it quickly. The clutch and electric power steering are light but precise. You feel low and heavy - and fast. And the car can dance.

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  hands free lift gate is a menace - 2016 Ford Explorer
  By Wayne - February 16 - 5:40 am

  The hands free lift gate is very touchy. If your feet are just under the bumper & you are getting something out of the back, it can start to close on you. They state that it will stop if it feels there is something in the way, but way too much pressure must be placed against the gate for it to stop. Several of my friends have been bumped hard on the head. Also, once when I was opening my automatic garage door (my car was parked about 1 foot away from the door) the lift gate started to open even though no buttons in the car nor on the key fob (it was in my pocket & nothing bumped it) were pushed. The bottom of the gate was jammed against the door which made the garage door stop opening. The bottom of the gate was bent & I had to get it repaired at the body shop ($1,000). I decided to disconnect the sensor so it wouldnt work. It can still be operated using the remaining buttons.

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  Getting Better / Like it more. - 2003 Ford Focus
  By "L" - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Iam back !!! Mileage has improved somewhat. City mpg from a low of 20 (wife driving it)to 24 and 25-30 in the highway. I got a cool 30mpg this past weekend. I did the same trip as when it was new back in Nov 1st. I got 24.9 then. Did not use the AC this time (It was cold) 70-75 mph. Noise level on newly paved roads is more tolerable. Can carry a ton of stuff in the back with seats down. Love that RDS on my radio.I Hear 2004 has 19 more ponies? and better mileage ? Test drove the Toyota Prius, great car but I can put alot of gas in my Focus with the $8k+ difference in price.

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  Ford Taurus - 2004 Ford Taurus
  By aliasisstupid - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Its the second new Taurus Ive owned. The first I leased, this one I bought. Theyve got boring styling to me, but it gets through the snow, keeps me cool in the winter and Ive never done more than change the oil and rotate the tires. And the Duratec is fast.

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  Great SUV - 2002 Ford Explorer Sport
  By Florida1 - February 14 - 10:00 am

  I never considered a Ford until I test drove this Explorer two years ago. I have not had one problem with it since I bought it. I drove it cross country (Seattle to Orlando) and the seats proved to be extremely comfortable. I have the version with side airbags and wished the front seats had head rests though. There is also a rattle in the trunk from the plastic loose. I cant seem to make it go away. The truck is very powerful and beats many cars off the line while it pegs you to the back of the seat on acceleration. I might consider another Ford next year, but they are going to have to get more refined before I buy over a foreign model.

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  Its not a Chick Magnet Car!! - 1999 Ford Escort
  By dave88 - February 14 - 10:00 am

  piled up more than 39,000 miles in just over 2 years... in San Francisco Bay Area without a single problem... averaged 30mpg with automatic transmission. Change Oil every 3K...very Underrated ...its a sleeper ... drive over 85 miles daily and still holds up without a single problem... knocks on wood...

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  Great small SUV - 2008 Ford Escape
  By JCDerrick - February 13 - 10:43 pm

  We do a lot of landscaping around the house so we purchased this SUV primarily to provide us a way to move larger materials around that wouldnt fit in a regular car. For that task its a great vehicle, the fold down seats in the back (though a multi-step process) provide a lot of space that allows storage/transport of most anything. We were so impressed with the quality of the Limited package weve also used the car as our primary vehicle to drive to and from work. Weve leased this vehicle, and I suspect well keep with the Escape next year when the lease is up. Initially we favored the fuel economy of the 4-cylinder, but after test driving both I was sold on the V6s extra power.