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:
Showing 9881 through 9890 of 30,482.00-
2004 THUNDERBIRD VINTAGE MINT PREMIUM - 2004 Ford Thunderbird
By LAGUNACANYON52 - January 4 - 2:00 amTHIS CAR OVERALL IS A REAL EYE CATCHER. PEOPLE OF ALL AGES LOVE IT,AND MOST THINK IT IS A VINTAGE CAR,ESPECIALLY BECAUSE MY COLOR IS VINTAGE MINT GREEN. IT IS AN "EXPERIENCE" TYPE VEHICLE.YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR IN A MID 1950S EARLY 1960S CAR,BUT WITH ALL THE NEWER AMMENITIES.IT RIDES GREAT,HANDLES NICE & HAS A NICE V-8 ENGINE.
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fast but not reliable - 2002 Ford Focus
By svt racer - January 4 - 2:00 ammy 2002 svt is faster than any honda i have raced so far but i have had my audiophile cd player replaced 3 times since i purchased the car. performance wise, the car has exceded my expectations but quality wise the car is falling apart. i am yet to lose a race but my car spends half its time at the dealership getting fixed.
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my best new car ever - 2004 Ford Focus
By glen - January 4 - 2:00 amAt 6 foot ten and 350 lbs it isnt easy finding a car that i can fit into much less be comfortable in. imagine my surprise when the car turns out to be fun to drive and, is problem free. On a 900 mile trip i even got more MPG than ever. 33 while cruising at 75. WOW !!! This car just continues to be a joy. Color me in for a svt if they add an automatic.
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Great vehicle, but a gas guzzler.. - 2003 Ford Explorer
By Kevin1961 - January 4 - 2:00 amI love my 2003 Ford Explorer. Its a very safe vehicle with great power. But the gas mileage is horrendous. Right now I am lucky to be getting 15 MPG on the highway. I travel over a mountain everyday so that probably takes some of the fuel, but its also Hawaii...Aloha
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Giving Ford another chance. - 2004 Ford Expedition
By jwalker - January 4 - 2:00 amDid not want to go back to Ford due to past vehicles with shoddy workmanship. 50 - 70k seemed to be all they were good for (Vs. 217k for a toyota van that never needed any major repair). Could not find an acceptable seating configuration and cargo area with the Sequoia, Escalade, Armada. Cargo room in minivans were a joke. This vehicle is great fun to drive with family of 5 + friends. My ONLY complaints about this vehicle are the horrible gas mileage (currently getting about 11 mpg around town) and the break dust on the front wheels that constanltly keep the wheels looking like I just drove out from a coal road.
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Great Ride - Poor Brakes - 2005 Ford F-150
By D. Whiddon - January 4 - 1:10 amVery enjoyable to drive but I have had to replace the brake rotors twice in 15 months. Brake dust is also a nuisance. Fit and finish are nice, very comfortable to drive. Gas mileage is poor - but you have to expect that when you purchase this vehicle.
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Love the V-8 - 2002 Ford Explorer
By Baserevoke - January 2 - 10:00 amThis v-8 is strong. I think it is the best feature of this SUV. This is why I love to drive it.
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Detail Quality are poor - 2002 Ford Escape
By slug90 - January 2 - 10:00 amAll of the big things one buys a car for, engine, handling, comfort, reliablity are there! This car is fun. It has a peppy engine that takes me over a twisty mountain road 10 times a week. However.. There was no eye to detail. The rubber stoppers on the rear window fell out in weeks. The big rubber stopper on the driver door fell out a month later. The gromett that holds the seat belt buckle reachable by the driver broke within 3 months, the compartment holding the garage door opener broke at the same time. Whew thats a load. I thought you all might want to know. Ford didnt seem to care!
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Great truck!!! - 2010 Ford F-150
By Hodgo - January 1 - 8:10 pmTraded in my 2006 AWD HD F150 Extacab for the 2010 4X2 HD F150 S Crew Cab. I needed a lager backseat. The 2010 has lots of room and safety features.
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