Hey threre Mappy.
Most of what you said rings true. But, Ford still builds the Mustang - nothing to sneer at
.
I'm going to knock the sport compact market a bit here:
My view of compact cars (Civic, Escort, Cavalier etc.) is that they are for Transportation only. If a buyer wants a fast car - why do they buy a 1.6L 4 banger, and expect it to go fast?
Maybe that's Fords aproach - why build a screaming fast Fukas when they designed it merely for transportation? They have decided that the Mustang is going to be their fast car.
Don't get me wrong - I think the Civic, Escort, Cavalier etc. are excellent cars for their purpose (transportation), but you have to admit that's all they were designed for.