Large investment:
Produces the large-format volume models were in December 1971 in Cologne and Dagenham and the chassis in four concepts: In addition to the four-door sedan and a station wagon stood a two-door hatchback sedan for election, a year later was followed by a two-door notchback sedan. The engine range comprised up to nine engines, such as top engine is a 3.0-liter V6 English provenance.
Positive press and public response caused not only the lush space decked out in luxurious mini-road cruisers, but also the modern rear suspension with trailing arm axle. Had the then enormous sum of half a billion marks, Ford can cost the development of the new upper class. An investment that paid for itself quickly, as in the first year rolled over 100,000 units of the more popular of the Consul and Granada finely decked out alone from the Cologne factory halls.
Disillusionment by oil crisis:
So Ford shocked not only in Germany, Opel competition, which started almost as soon as the blatant pragmatism drawn models II and Commodore B record. Up to six months delivery period heralded the beginning of the enormous success of the new six-cylinder class in the character of the plum, there were over 100 different versions.
Then came the sobering findings: First, do not always ensured the satisfactory quality of workmanship at Consul and Granada for disappointment among customers. Had remedied as Ford, announced himself to the problems of the oil crisis of 1973/74. The extreme gasoline price increases hit the thirsty six-cylinder with significantly more than competitors’ four-cylinder engines. 1974 saw a dramatic decline in production Ford Cologne by almost 40 percent.
More equipment and warranty:
New impetus brought only a marketing campaign that the brilliant sales strategist and Ford Chairman Bob Lutz, initiated in 1975. A warranty period extending from six months to one year without mileage limitation was as revolutionary as a much expanded standard equipment on all models and a flood of special models. In addition, the plain painted Consul types of Granada offered visually and technically revised and also with four-cylinder engines.
Of the six-cylinder front, there were also new to report: A fuel-efficient 2.8-liter injection engine introduced in 1976 the service provider. Even earlier, in May 1975, Ford’s sales went through modified Granada and new escort generation to such an extent that Opel was ousted from the traditional second place in the German registration statistics in 1976 exceeded the Ford market share in Germany, even the 15 percent mark . In 1977 the celebrated Cologne finally the best sales results ever – not least thanks to the premiere of a new generation of Granada.
Timeless elegance:
Despite a greatly expanded and entirely new dimensions of the body itself was unremarkable Granada II emphasized. Chief Designer Uwe Bahnsen had this time designed simple shapes with clean lines and large windows. A dress of timeless elegance, the enthusiastic customers. Some modest development costs of only 88 million Ford had revamped its flagship optical – up to the tournament, which differs only by a new front end clearly differentiated from its predecessor.
There were under the sheet metal of a sensation: the first diesel engine in a Ford car. The 2.1-liter four-cylinder diesel engine came from the Peugeot-shelf and should be an economical alternative for regular drivers and the taxi industry. A vain hope of Ford’s marketing department: The loud and nailing only 63 hp oil burner occupied as an official appointed in 1982 2.5-liter diesel only a niche role.
