"I shared your book and web site with several of my book clubs, blog groups and friends; I think it is great to share. I hope your book becomes very successful!" -Susana
Read More Testimonials»

Our Buying a New Car Experts

Jean Jennings

Jean Jennings

President, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Automobile magazine...

Shared by First30Days View Profile»
Mike Quincy

Mike Quincy

Auto-content specialist for Consumer Reports

Shared by First30Days View Profile»
Philip Reed

Philip Reed

Senior consumer-advice editor for Edmunds.com

Shared by First30Days View Profile»

Meet all of our House and Home Experts»

News

The latest news on this change — carefully culled from the world wide web by our change agents. They do the surfing, so you don't have to!

Downsizing a Giant

Downsizing a Giant

When Henry Ford produced the first Model T in 1908, it was said that the vehicle “put America on wheels.” A century later the company created by the great innovator is hoping to be a part of the dramatic shift in the way we drive, only this time around they’ll be making those wheels a little bit smaller.

The New York Times reports that Ford plans to shift their focus from trucks and SUVs to smaller vehicles (this doesn't come as a huge shock; earlier this summer there was rumor that some of the plants that produce trucks and SUVs would shut down). With gas prices what they are—not to mention consumer interest in creating a greener lifestyle—it's no surprise Ford wants to think small!

“Trucks and SUVs have been so central to their strategy for so long, but the bottom line is that consumers have moved on,” David E. Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research told the Times. The one-time auto industry leader will switch its strategy by producing smaller cars like the Ford Fiesta, which is now being manufactured in Europe, back here in the good ol’ U.S. of A. They will also utilize their Mercury line to transition to smaller vehicles.

If you’re having a hard time stomaching the fact that your next new car might just have to be a smaller one, does it help to know that it will be produced in your own back yard? Or are you already on the small car bandwagon? [NYT]

Posted: 7/23/08