The blue oval has recently lost its coveted second-biggest car maker in the world status (behind General Motors) to Toyota, but that has not resulted in any sense of panic in the marque's Dearborn headquarters. Instead, there is an air of unbridled optimism that they will soon not just regain the second place, but will overhaul GM into the bargain. The range of ford cars available around the world is excellent (although it needs the help of its prestige brands such as Jaguar and Volvo t raise credibility) and there are signs that it is about to enter the Chinese market with a low-cost derivative of focus which will help the big pictures. New for 2004 are the latest Mustang and GT, both of which hark back to a golden age of performance cars in looks, but look forward in terms of driving dynamics. Ford used to claim that being number two in the world made them by try harder. Being number three to be making them work harder still.



FIESTA

Solid and chunky-looking, Fiesta feels like a far more substantial can than its size suggests. Offered with three or five doors, and with a range of engines and transmissions that cover most customer expectations or requirements in this sector, Fiesta's rigid body shell ensures that the handling and ride remain well-controlled. New from the end of 2004 is a pocket hot-shot, the 15OPS 2.0-litre Fiesta ST. The promises a blend of accessible performance and driving dynamics for what Ford describe as rewarding, everyday fun. Only in the three door form, the car revisits the legend that was XR2, but brings it right up to date. There are also ideas being bounced around that suggest a hotter-still variant could be on the way, in the shape of the Fiesta RS.

IKON

Take the last series of fiesta, give it new rear end that turn it from a hatchback to sedan, and you have the ideal mass car for the South American and South African markets. As might be expected the car is lacking in modernity, but it is Durant practicable and cheap to build and run ? all factors that count highly anywhere south New Mexico. Suspension and driveline are all carried over from the European model which the Ikon is based, but that has its advantages, in form of lively performance and good, if not ultra-precise handling. Nobody will ever come over all emotional the Ikon, but so long as it sells Ford's isn't bothered.

TAURUS

Ford's North American and Canadian mid-market contender has been given the automotive equivalent to a course of Botox injections, with new lights and fresh grille to help stave off signs of ageing. It now distinctly European, which is no bad thing. V5 power (in either 155PS or 205PS forms) is standard, is a four-speed automatic transmission and a suspension package that is biased towards comfort at the expense of precision. The four door sedan is the main seller, but there is also a station wagon variant that provides an optional third row of seats. Never intended as a car that will raise the blood pressure, the car signally achieves its modest ambitions.