To: mishedlo who wrote (70018 ) 9/20/2006 1:37:52 PM From: regli Read Replies (1) | Respond to You are underestimating Ford's operations outside the U.S. If Ford only built trucks they basically wouldn't have a business in Europe and Asia/Australia at all. Ford was one of the major players just as GM with Opel and Vauxhall in Europe for many, many years. However, without checking, I am convinced they lost a lot more marketshare in Europe than in the States over the past 30 years.en.wikipedia.org "... The car was launched in the midst of turbulent times at Ford of Europe, when the division was bleeding hundreds of millions of dollars and had gained a reputation in the motoring press for selling products which had been designed by accountants rather than engineers. The infamous and much maligned fourth generation Escort of 1990 was the zenith of this cost-cutting/high price philosophy which was by then beginning to backfire on Ford. The Sierra had never sold as well as the all-conquering Cortina before it, its archaic engines and rear-wheel drive layout were out of step technologically with the opposition, and sales were dwindling fast. Previously loyal customers were already turning to rival products and by the time of the Mondeo's launch, the future of Europe as a Ford manufacturing base was hanging in the balance. ..." en.wikipedia.org "In 2001 and 2002, Focus was the world’s best selling car. " en.wikipedia.org "The Ford Fiesta is a mid-class supermini car designed by the Ford Motor Company in Europe, and also manufactured in Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, China, India and South Africa. It is now marketed worldwide, including Japan and Australasia, but was only sold briefly in North America. It is one of Ford's most successful cars with over ten million sold in six distinct generations since 1976 and production continues as of 2006. en.wikipedia.org "The Taurus [had] ... a longer bestselling run than the original Ford Model T.
