TTAC Starts New Campaign for Press Cars, Honors Ford

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

Carmakers build cars. The Truth About Cars (TTAC) reviews cars. What’s the problem with that? Any car company that takes account of TTAC’s no-holds-barred reviews is better positioned to appreciate their strengths and learn from their mistakes. To grow, develop, improve, compete and thrive. And yet, the list of automakers that refuse us access to their press cars is, shall we say, comprehensive. As of today, I’m launching a campaign to change that, to get the latest vehicles into the hands of TTAC’s reviewers. Not by altering this website’s call-it-like-we-see-it remit (heaven forfend), but by appealing to the automakers’ sense of honesty, integrity and fair play—and bludgeoning them with our site stats (1m+ unique visits per month, over 2m page views, top Google rankings).

It’s going to be an uphill battle. But it’s always been an uphill battle. And TTAC does have its industry supporters. Ford, for example, has put us in the driver’s seat of many of their new products. For that, we salute The Blue Oval Boyz—who’ve promised to read your comments below. So please, join me in thanking FoMoCo for having the courage to face the music, and dance.

There will be more updates to follow, so you can know which carmakers are willing to consider the truth about cars. [If any car company wants to reach out, please email farago@ttac.com]

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • Dyl911 Dyl911 on Jul 21, 2009

    Kudos to Ford. I am 40 and have never purchased, or even considered purchasing, a car from a US manufacturer. My formative years were in Toyotas, Datsuns, and Hondas that were unbelievably reliable. The US-built cars I was exposed to, mainly Pontiacs, would literally break apart before 40k miles. The Chevys and Chryslers were no better. I would love to buy an "American" car. (I use the quotes because the lines have become so blurred.) I had a rental Fusion and was quite impressed. Much better than the Saturn Aura. Even a Toyota Highlander was filled with cheap interior plastic. I would seriously consider stepping out of my Acura (talk about a car company that has lost its way) for a Fusion V-6 with AWD and a 6-speed. The inner teenager in me, like many others on this site, is praying for a Focus RS!

  • Adrian Adrian on Jul 21, 2009

    Ford is the only Detroit company I'll consider when my VW TDI dies (272000km and counting). Except maybe the Volt - if GM doesn't chicken out and makes it a true electric car with a gas generator on board.

  • Riz Riz on Jul 21, 2009

    Kudos to Ford. But it's tough slog out there - I just bought a low end Civic new for a commuter vehicle because of brand perception and a great finance deal. I would have gone with the Euro spec Focus if it had been available in Canada And next year when our Mazda 5 goes off lease we need a well designed minivan - the Flex doesn't hold a candle to the usability of the Sienna / Oddysey, which are far more versatile for us (4 kids 9 & under). It's too much like an SUV inside where the 3rd row is not usable on a daily basis.

  • Jamie1 (of Ford) Jamie1 (of Ford) on Jul 22, 2009

    All, To all you well-wishers out there - thank you. We do believe that regardless of the outcome of any review, we should be prepared to back our product 100% and as such, we are more than happy to get the team at TTAC behind the wheel of our vehicles. Where they call us out, we can either agree or disagree as you would expect, but honest, well-meaning, well-written and informed commentary on our product is what car journalism is all about, and we stand by that whether in the more traditional print media, the hugely important internet-media and, increasingly nowadays, the social media as well. We do not expect, (nor I am sure will receive) any preferential treatment for our approach. However, we are confident that our products will stand up to scrutiny, and if not, we will strive to ensure that they do in the future. Kind regards to all at TTAC (writers and the excellent commentators). Jay Ward Ford Communications

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