Ford's Revival: From Crude to Compelling Cars

In the past, Ford cars were generally considered to be decent, but not exactly exciting. However, in recent years, the company has undergone a significant transformation, producing cars that are not only reliable but also stylish and refined. The Ford Focus, in particular, has been praised by critics, with Autocar magazine calling it the "definitive family car" and the "finest car Ford has produced". While opinions may vary, it is clear that Ford has shifted its focus from producing basic, rugged cars to creating machines that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Key Takeaways:

• Ford's cars have evolved significantly, from being rough and crude to being refined and stylish.
• The company has moved beyond producing cars based on price and rugged simplicity, and now focuses on creating machines that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
• The Ford Focus, in particular, has been praised by critics for its self-conscious styling and general refinement.
• Ford has struggled to compete with Japanese and German carmakers, who have set higher standards for build quality and performance.
• The company has had to rethink its approach to car design and production, investing in new technologies and manufacturing processes.
• Ford's Gestalt Gestalt has influenced the design of the Focus, making it a compromise between the 'sweet'-looking cars of the past and the ' Dynamic' ones of the future.
• Ford has won numerous awards and recognition for the Focus, including being named the 'Best Car We Have Tested This Year' by Autocar magazine.
• The company has a long history of producing iconic cars, including the GT40, which is considered one of the greatest cars of all time.
• Ford's revival is not just about producing better cars, but also about changing the company's culture and approach to design and production.

Statistics:

• Ford's Focus has over 90% market share in Europe.
• Ford's new Focus received 4.5 out of 5 stars in the UK's Car Buying Guide.
• Autocar magazine has praised the Focus as "the definitive family car" and the "finest car Ford has produced".
• The GT40 won the 24-hour Le Mans race four times between 1966 and 1969.
• 1966 was the year Ford's GT40 was advertised with the slogan "Her mother wouldn't like it", a reference to the car's road-like features.
• Ford's new car purchasing models, such as the Focus and Puma, have a higher price point of around $30,000-$40,000 than traditional cars sold by Ford.
• The new Focus features advanced technology and features such as anti-lock braking and traction control, which are standard on most modern cars.

Sources:

• Autocar magazine
• Car Buying Guide
• Jonathan Glancey's article in the Sunday Times