Ford Motor Company has been selling produced automobiles in the United States and around the globe for more than hundred years. The company was founded by Henry Ford in 1903, with a clear-cut mission of building a car for the masses. In 1903, the "Model A"rolled out ahead of a lineup of vehicles named after the letters of the alphabet. The iconic "Model T" of 1908-1927 was bought by 16.5 million Americans, during its 20-year lifespan. Ford early on introduced the moving assembly line in its factory. Ford purchased the Lincoln Motor Company in 1925 and expanded into the luxury-car market. The Mercury division was created to build mid-priced cars. By the end of the 1930s, when the stylish Lincoln Zephyr made its debut, Ford had built and sold over 25 million vehicles. The legendary Ford Thunderbird dominated the decade after World War II. The car offered performance and luxury features like power windows. The Edsel, a new model, was discontinued just a few months into its third model year. Ford launched the compact Falcon in the early 1960s, which met with moderate success. The sporty Ford Mustang pony car, a top-seller in its day, was priced attractively. It had powerful V8 engines and sleek styling.

By the 1970s, Ford was reeling under the effects of the oil crisis, changing public tastes and new government regulations. In 1979, Ford acquired a stake in Mazda, a move that saw Ford benefit from mutually beneficial projects. It also emerged with a new mindset of global competitiveness. Escort and Taurus models were introduced in the 1980s. Ford further expanded its company with the acquisition of the Jaguar and Aston Martin brands. The 1990s was the era of the SUV, and the Ford Explorer midsize SUV became a big hit with auto buyers. In 1999, Ford purchased Volvo's car division, and in 2000 it bought the Land Rover.

One of the Big Three American automakers, Ford has a wide range of vehicles that offer great value for the money. Ford trucks and SUVs have been a popular choice for truckers since decades, and Ford's F-Series truck has been the bestselling vehicle in America.


Ford E-Series Van ($22,595-$28,250)
The 2008 Ford E-Series cargo vans, cutaways and passenger wagons come in half-ton, 3/4-ton and 1-ton sizes. The E-150 model has a smaller capacity, while the E-250 and E-350 SD models are heavy duty. These heavier-duty vehicles come in two different lengths-212 inches (regular) and 232 inches (Extended) and can carry more than 2 tons of gear. The standard 4.6-liter V8 on E-150 and E-250 models is rated at 225 horsepower and 286 pound-feet of torque. A larger 5.4-liter V8 putting out 255 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque is optional and standard on the E-350 Super Duty. The two gas V8s get a four-speed automatic transmission.

2008 Ford Edge
The 2008 Ford Edge ($25,320-$32,305) is a five-passenger crossover available with front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, in SE and SEL trims and new for 2008 Limited trim. All models have a 265-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Maximum towing capacity is 3500 lb.

2008 Ford Escape
The 2008 Ford Escape ($18,710-$26,680) is a compact SUV and can seat five-passengers. XLS and XLT 4-cylinder models have a 153-hp 2.3-liter engine. XLT V6 and Limited versions have a 200-hp 3.0-liter engine. The 4-cylinder engine comes with manual or automatic transmission, the V6 with automatic only. A gas/electric Hybrid Escape model teams a 4-cylinder gas engine with an electric motor. It requires no plug-in charging and gets a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

2008 Ford Expedition
The 2008 Ford Expedition ($29,245-$46,340) comes in XLT, Eddie Bauer, and Limited trim levels; and can seat up to eight. The sole powertrain is a 300-hp 5.4-liter V8 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Maximum towing capacity is 9200 lb. Rear-wheel-drive is standard. New for 2008 is the King Ranch, with exclusive interior and exterior trim.

2008 Ford Explorer
The 2008 Ford Explorer ($25,370-$38,050) is a midsize SUV with rear-wheel-drive, 4-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. Trim levels include XLT, Eddie Bauer and Limited. All are available with a 210-hp 4.0-liter V6 engine or a 292-hp 4.6-liter V8. V6 models have a 5-speed automatic transmission; V8s have a 6-speed automatic.

2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
The 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac ($23,710-$31,650) is a crew-cab pickup truck, seats five and comes in XLT and Limited trims, both with rear-wheel-drive or 4-wheel-drive. A 210-hp 4.0-liter V6 engine is standard; a 292-hp 4.6-liter V8 is available. Both engines use an automatic transmission: a 5-speed on the V6, a 6-speed on the V8.

2008 Ford F-150
The 2008 Ford F-150 ($17,520-$36,910) comes in regular cab, extended SuperCab, and crew cab SuperCrew versions. Engine choices include a 202-hp 4.2-liter V6; 248-hp 4.6-liter V8; and 300-hp 5.4-liter V8. A 450-hp supercharged V8 engine is optional on the top-end Harley-Davidson model. The V6 is available with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic.

Ford F-250 Super Duty
Ford F-250 Super Duty ($22,470-$39,605), Ford's heavy-duty pickup truck, is available in five trim levels. XL and XLT offer a 2-dr regular cab, an extended SuperCab and a crew cab. FX4 and Lariat trims are available as SuperCabs and crew cabs. The top-line King Ranch is a crew cab only. A 300-hp V8 engine is standard on all. Also optional on all F-250s is a new 350-hp turbodiesel V8. For all engines, 6-speed manual transmission is standard, and 5-speed automatic is optional.

Ford F-350 Super Duty
Ford F-350 Super Duty ($23,200-$39,545) gets a new turbodiesel engine, redesigned interiors. Mainstream Super Duty models include 1-ton F-350s. F-350 is available in five trim levels. XL and XLT offer a 2-door regular cab, an extended SuperCab and a crew cab. FX4 and Lariat trims are available as SuperCabs and crew cabs. The top-line King Ranch is a crew cab only. Standard is a 362-hp V10. Optional is a new 350-hp turbodiesel V8 with 6-speed manual transmission, a 5-speed automatic is optional.

2008 Ford Focus
The 2008 Ford Focus ($13,450-$18,220) is a 2-door coupe and 4-door sedan available in S, SE, and SES trim levels. The only engine is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with a standard 5-speed manual transmission or optional automatic.

2008 Ford Fusion
The 2008 Ford Fusion ($17,145-$24,625) is a midsize sedan with S, SE, and SEL models. A 160-hp 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine is standard, and a 221-hp 3.0-liter V6 is available. The 4-cylinder uses a 5-speed manual transmission or an optional 5-speed automatic. The V6 has a 6-speed automatic. All 4-cylinder Fusions get front-wheel-drive. V6 SE and SEL models get all-wheel-drive.

2008 Ford Mustang
The 2008 Ford Mustang ($19,115-$31,845) lineup comes in coupe and convertible body styles, with V6 and V8 engines, in Deluxe and Premium trims. Base versions have a 210-hp 4.0-liter V6. GT has a 300-hp 4.6-liter V8. The Shelby GT500 has a supercharged 500-hp 5.4-liter V8. Base and GT are available with manual or automatic transmission. GT500s get manual transmission only.

2008 Ford Ranger
The 2008 Ford Ranger ($13,970-$26,795) is a compact pickup truck offering regular-cab and extended SuperCab models with four trim packages. The 2008 Ford Ranger is available with three engines: a 143-hp 2.3-liter 4-cylinder; a 148-hp 3.0-liter V6; and a 207-hp 4.0-liter V6. All are available with manual or automatic transmission.

2008 Ford Shelby GT500
The 2008 Shelby GT500KR ($40,930-$46,995) is Ford's most powerful pony car ever. This limited-edition coupe is equipped with a 540-hp 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. Also available are the Shelby GT coupe and convertible, which have a 319-hp 4.6-liter V8.

2008 Ford Taurus
Ford's Five Hundred becomes the 2008 Ford Taurus ($21,200-$29,320). This large sedan offers SEL and Limited models with front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. A 260-hp 3.5-liter V6 replaces a 203-hp 3.0 V6 as the only engine. A 6-speed automatic is the sole transmission; the CVT makes an exit.