aim to offer a single badge to the whole world, it cost the company a huge sum in new factory facilities. Add in the expense ofHistory now records the Mondeo as a massive hit, although there was some early resistance to its front-drive platform from those used to the aged Sierra. However, the Mondeo’sshone through and made its rivals look distinctly old hat. Company fleets loved the Ford and it’s now rightly revered as a modern classic for the clarity of its design and execution.
Such was the importance of the Octavia to Skoda’s fortunes and turnaround, the advertising campaign used the cheeky tagline ‘It’s a Skoda, honest.’ That sort of tongue in cheek attitude endeared the Octavia to thousands and that arrived in 2001 to be taken seriously as a rival to the likes of the Ford Mondeo ST220 and Honda Accord Type R.Without the Porsche Boxster, we would likely not have the company nor wide range of cars we know and love today.
Another first for Bentley was four-wheel drive in the Continental GT that helped make this a year-round daily driver for many of the thousands who flocked to the Flying B’s showrooms. In its first year,and more than 40,000 of the first generation left the production line including the convertible GTC. Without the Continental GT, Bentley would likely be another British marque left to history books alone.