Ford UK Car Production 1968 - 1978

I posted Ford car production from 1979-1992 a while back, which you can see by clicking here. I have now found data for the previous eleven years.

The Cortina and Escort were the mainstay of production for this period, with others in a supporting role.

The Capri came and went in this time, proving to be a popular car for a niche segment.

The Granada / Consul didn't last long in UK production as it was soon transferred to Germany. I presume numbers didn't justify two plants making them.

The MK IV Zephyr / Zodiac was not that popular looking at those production numbers (I had a nice Dinky car of the latter though), and the Corsair was on the way out by the late 60's. Just over 300,000 in total were made of the latter.

Yr	Total	Cortina	Escort	Fiesta	Capri	Gr/Con	Ze/Zod	Corsair
68	486,500	261,800	161,700	-	3,100	-	24,700	35,200
69	524,000	265,900	145,000	-	79,600	-	19,900	13,600
70	450,600	195,400	156,700	-	69,200	-	18,900	10,400
71	368,500	182,200	128,400	-	41,100	-	16,800	-
72	546,700	264,200	198,900	-	46,700	36,900	-	-
73	453,400	220,100	147,300	-	49,400	36,600	-	-
74	383,700	186,300	138,900	-	37,300	21,200	-	-
75	329,600	140,400	152,500	-	21,200	15,500	-	-
76	383,200	146,400	188,300	8,200	27,000	13,300	-	-
77	406,600	168,500	177,600	60,500	-	-	-	-
78	324,400	152,100	133,100	39,200	-	-	-	-

Cynical Car Makers?

Many car makers in Brazil apparently don't make vehicles that are very crash worthy. Legally they do what is necessary to pass the laws and that is all that matters to some of them. I ask the question "is it cynical" as I wonder who is really responsible.

Are the authorities to blame for not having higher standards? Can the manufacturers be blamed when if made better - hence more expensive - they could lose customers to cheaper, less safe models? Should the consumer find out which ones are safer and then support them? In other words are customers indifferent?

There is an article that analyses the situation that can be found here. It is quite long, but seems well researched. As for whether car makers could do better, I wrote an article (click here) about cars tested in more affluent markets. It doesn't cover many brands and those omitted cannot be judged; but for those mentioned, it's concerning.

Car safety is important. Manufacturers who go beyond what is required by law to protect their customers are to be applauded. For those do the minimum to maximise profit, I'll let you decide.

Also, the driver must  take responsibility to be careful for the safety of all road users. Drive to the conditions.

Check your vehicle keep it well maintained. Make sure each journey is as safe as you can make it.

Cisitalia

No it's not the name of a loathsome disease, but rather of an Italian car and motor racing brand. The name means 'Compagnia Industriale Sportiva Italia'. What caught my eye with the company was the 202 sports car. The single shell coach work was ahead of its time and certainly very aerodynamic for its day. The engine was 1089cc, top speed of 165kph as it weighed only 780kgs. A beautiful car.

Unfortunately it was expensive to make as they were hand made, ensuring it a commercial flop. Only 200 or so were manufactured from 1947 including the spider model (soft top). Still, it set a standard for others in the future and deserves to be remembered.