Previous to World War II, the Ford Motor Company made trucks based on their car chassis. After the war ended, Ford started manufacturing and selling the F-Series of trucks, which was built on a chassis designed specifically for trucks. The F-150 has been the best-selling pick-up truck for the past 43 years. In the years since the introduction of the F-Series, Ford has produced some memorable trucks and larger vehicles with varying degrees of utility.
Photo: Megan Green
While technically not a truck, the Ford Ranchero - 1957-1979 - is now a cool classic. The utility coupe had two doors and a cargo bed, and inspired competitor Chevrolet to try to one-up the Ranchero with the El Camino.
Photo: Megan Green
Introduced in 1983 as a compact pick-up truck (replacing a re-badged Mazda compact pick-up, imported and re-named the Courier), the Ford Ranger was a top-seller from 1987-2004. The third-gen Ranger, pictured here, was the last generation of the truck to be manufactured, falling victim to sluggish sales in the compact pick-up sector. The rear-wheel drive Ford Ranger EV, an all-electric pick-up, was also offered from 1998-2002.
Photo: Dennis Green
Early Ford Broncos were off-road vehicles. With a straight-6 engine under originally under the hood, the Bronco was designed and manufactured to directly compete with the Jeep
Photo: Ford Motor Company
In 1978, the Bronco was redesigned into a larger, full-size SUV. A V-8 engine was added and the wheelbase increased to 104" from 92" in the previous generation. Ford manufactured the Bronco through 1996, when it was replaced by the 4-door Expedition.
A smaller version, the Bronco II, was built on the Ranger platform, and was only around for six years.
Replacing the Bronco in 1996 was the Ford Expedition. The full-size SUV, now in its third generation, currently has a 5.4 liter Triton V-8 engine under the hood and will also be offered with the Ford EcoBoost V-6 starting in the 2015 model year. Twenty percent of Ford Expedition sales are in Texas.
Photo: Ford Motor Company
The Ford Explorer replaced the smaller-SUV space left open by the Bronco II. Currently in its fifth generation, the five-door mid-size SUV includes a push-button start and a power liftgate with modern tech conveniences like Ford SYNC, integrated GPS, and LED head- and tail-lamps.
Photo: Megan Green
First and second generation Ford Escapes were built on a platform developed in partnership with Mazda. The smallest of the Ford utility vehicles, the current generation Escape, starting with the 2013 model year, is offered with either front wheel- or all wheel drive depending on the trim level, and is called the Kuga in Europe.
Photo: Ford Motor Company
The Ford Edge Concept was revealed at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show. With a sleek aerodynamic exterior, Ford lavished the interior premium leather and a 10-inch display for the MyFord Touch infotainment.
Photo: Megan Green
The Ford Flex is possibly the most curious-looking of the Ford crossover vehicles. With seating for seven people, the boxy exterior sports a floating white roof much like a Land Rover or a MINI. The side body panels are detailed with horizontal lines, and the back lift detailed with a large silver chrome panel.
Photo: Ford Motor Company
Not to leave vans out of the equation, the full-size Econoline van was first manufactured in 1961, as seen in this classic advertisement.
Photo: Ford Motor Company
The E-Series will be replaced by the Ford Transit after the 2014 model year. The 2015 Transit Van was shown in Detroit in 2013.
Photo: Megan Green
Also at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Ford launched the Atlas Concept with every bell and whistle imaginable - Trailer Back-up Assist, hidden cargo ramps, Lane-keeping System, lightweight seats, LED headlamps and cargo box lighting, 100-volt electrical outlets in the cargo box, wi-fi… quite the tribute to 6t5 years of the F-150.
Photo: Megan Green
The C-MAX has been available in Europe since 2003, but it was only introduced in North America for the 2013 model year. It is available as both a hybrid and the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid. Ambiguously classified as a Compact MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle), it features ample cargo space and can seat five people.
Photo: Ford Motor Company
Ford Super-Duty was the umbrella name given in 1999 model year for F-Series models larger than the F-150; F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550. At this size, the trucks are purely utilitarian workhorses.
Photo: Ford Motor Company
The Ford SVT Raptor, an F-150 variant, is made specifically for off-roading. Shelby introduced a high performance version at the 2103 New York International Auto Show.
Photo: Megan Green
2014 Ford Explorer
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