The American automobile company 'Ford' remains the third largest car manufacturer on Earth, despite having sold Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata Motors in March 2008. It still controls Volvo of Sweden and also has small stakes in Mazda and Aston Martin. Although Ford's recent history tells a tale of declining profits to the point of near bankruptcy, it has made changes that should see it operating profitably again by 2009. In the meantime, Ford has not let its poor financial situation affect the quality of its cars and has dug deep into its savings to continue to provide a good service to all of its customers.

History of Ford
Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company in 1903 and the company remains under the control of Ford family ancestors to this day. The car that defined Ford was the Model T, produced between 1908 and 1927. It is generally considered to be the first affordable car and was able to be mass produced due to Henry Ford's assembly line innovation. The Ford Motor Company survived the Great Depression and continued to grow in popularity until the late 1990s (when poor economic conditions led to a drop in profits). Since then, it has been improving its operations in order to return to profitability.

The 2008 UK Ford Range
  • Ka: The Ka is one of the best city cars that money can buy, yet it is extremely cheap! Although it is noisy, average on motorways and designed with a very basic interior, it is safe, fun to drive and handles well. This makes it great for busy city centres or winding country roads. As a result the 1.3 litre, 3-door beauty has been very popular in the UK. For that little bit of extra power the convertible 'StreetKa' version comes with a 1.6 litre engine and is a light, exciting drive with the canvas roof down. However it does not perform as well as the standard Ka in road tests.
  • Fiesta: For a supermini, the Fiesta has a lot of cabin and boot space. It also manages to be both manoeuvrable in cities and a good cruiser on motorways. There are a wide range of options when choosing a Fiesta including 3-door and 5-door models, and engine sizes varying from 1.25 to 1.6 litres. There is also an ST model with a 2.0 litre turbo charged engine, although this is very expensive for the moderate power it produces compared to rivals.
  • Focus: The designers of the new focus have done away with the basic (sometimes tacky) interiors of cheaper Fords and constructed a genuinely gorgeous cabin. It is a great family hatchback, offering speed and manoeuvrability alongside good safety standards and spaciousness. While it looks good, the 3-door model is not as practical as the 5-door. Engines range from 1.4 litre petrol engines to 2.0 litre turbo diesels. There is even a coupe convertible model available.
  • Fusion: Designed to look like an off-road vehicle, the Ford Fusion is a solid supermini/MPV that is essentially a taller version of the Fiesta. It handles well and exhibits good acceleration with the 1.6 litre petrol model. Other models can't quite provide enough power, though. This is a cheap option for families with small children.
  • Mondeo: The latest Mondeo is available in 4-door saloon, 5-door hatch and estate versions. All are roomy, attractive and powerful with sublime handling. They are also equipped with the very latest interior features (such as a voice activated information system). As a result the Mondeo not only outshines its close rivals, but challenges the more expensive manufacturers such as BMW and Audi. Engines range from 1.6 to 2.5 litres in size and include an economical diesel option too.
  • C-Max: If the Fusion is an MPV version of the Fiesta, then the C-Max is an MPV version of the Focus. It is a conservative vehicle on the exterior and interior, with no frills but all of the necessary features. Its great handling is undermined by the weakness of the 1.6 litre petrol engine. In order to really feel the quality of this car with a full load of passengers, the 1.8 litre petrol or 2.0 litre diesel are better options.
  • S-Max: For those who want the practicality of seven seats for the family, but don't want to compromise on drive-quality. This is effectively a sports MPV, with a 2.5 litre turbo-charged diesel engine providing epic speed for such a large car. Smaller alternatives are available, the best of which is a 2.0 litre diesel. It looks stylish both inside and out and performs well in all areas.
  • Galaxy: A huge seven-seat people carrier with a large boot and comfortable ride quality. However the interior is nothing special and it lacks in power. The only reason to buy a Galaxy over an S-Max is for the extra room, as it really is quite an expensive example of an MPV.
  • Ranger: A 4-door pickup truck with a powerful 2.5 litre diesel engine that looks suitably rugged and performs surprisingly well on the road. It is also available in four wheel drive for those who require off-road capabilities.


  • Choosing a Ford
    From the car summaries above it is clear that there is a Ford for every occasion. Check the specifications and some online reviews before deciding which one is right for you. If you want something flashy it is worth having a look at Ford's ST range. These cars are tweaked for peak performance and designed to look sporty too. However, if like most people you simply want a reliable car to get you (or your family) from A to B, Ford's standard range will probably have what you need.

    Second Hand Ford Buyers' Guide
    Fords have suffered in the past from a bad reputation when it comes to reliability. This is no longer an issue, though. Most Fords built after 1990 are extremely reliable. In addition, Fords have always had one of the cheapest servicing costs of any car manufacturer. Therefore a Ford is a good bet when buying second hand, especially if you can find more recent models.

    As with all second hand purchases, check initially that the car has not been written off in the past or stolen. Then go for a test drive to see if you like the feel of the vehicle. It is usually wise to get the opinion of a mechanic as well, although this is not essential.

    Do not be afraid to barter with the seller for a good price and make sure you look around carefully before deciding on the right car for you.
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    04 January 2009
    2004 (54) ford focus 1. 6 zetec manual 5 door hatchback 43,000miles, 4 months tax, 11 months mot, silver air conditioning, pas, e/w, airbag, abs, remote central locking, alloy wheels, cd player full service history, excellent condition, cheap tax, very economical £. .
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    11 December 2008
    Ford escort se500 turbo cabriolet, mk 4. the se500 was a limited edition model only 500 made, they came with rs turbo suspension and rs alloys. it is pretty much original other than the turbo engine, half leather recaro interior, boost gauge, mini disc player and exhau. .
    £2,800
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    06 December 2008
    1995 ford escort lx engine 1. 8 mot july 2009 tax end jan 2009 89000 miles central locking. power steering. electric windows. air bag. immobiliser. good condition inside and out suspect head gasket. will not start. turns over fine. accept offers. .
    £199
    BD23
    04 December 2008
    This is a really lovely car, blue fiesta zetec 16v, 1250cc. alloy wheels, pas, central locking, limited edition sports style seats, full service history, 1yr mot and 5 months tax. the car is in excellent condition, reluctant sale but as i am going back to university we. .
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    03 December 2008
    For the lowest priced salvage cars, project cars and vehicles available for parts.
    E11
    02 December 2008
    £2000 ono black finish; manual transmission; 40,000 genuine mileage(with full service history); private number plate( 1996-n reg) excellent condition .
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    HA4
    for sale is my wifes ford escort it has no tax or mot it has had all the work for the mot done ie welding brake pipes it would make a great family car im selling due to extended family so bigger car please feel free to contact me anytime.
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    TF9
    17 November 2008
    Ford fiesta zetec s – 1. 6 16v (silver) petrol/manual this car has had alot of tlc and attention, it is a real head turner and great to drive. the interior is in perfect condition, and the same with the outside except for the rust bubble above one of the rear wh. .
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    GU34
    11 November 2008
    4 x ford 14inch alloy wheels 4 stud currently on a mk6 escort plenty of tread selling due to new alloys.
    £35
    S64
    07 November 2008
    2005 05 reg, 130bhp, 6 speed, 67k miles, silver, 17” ghia x alloy wheels, tinted rear windows, xenon bulbs, climate control, cruise control, headed windscreen and rear window, cd player with steering wheel controls, output lead slot, remote central locking, elect. .
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    DN3
    23 October 2008
    Imperial blue, 2. 5 v6, alloys, full leather interier, radio cassette, cd changer, mot june09, tax nov08, great condition, full sevice history, stunning looking car, 2, 800 ovno .
    £2,800
    NP12
    20 October 2008
    2l engine 9 months mot very good condition drives very well new exaust and 2 new tyres needs slight attention ring for details n reg .
    £300
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