Ford

The Ford Falcon - introduced in 1959 - was the first compact car marketed by the Big Three auto manufacturers (GM, Ford, and Chrysler). Historically, they focused purely on the larger and more profitable vehicles, but towards the mid-1950s, all three manufacturers realized that this strategy would no longer work. Large automobiles were becoming increasingly expensive, making smaller cars increasingly attractive. Furthermore, many American families were now in the market for a second car, and market research showed women especially thought the full-size car had grown too large and cumbersome. In contrast to its Chevrolet Corvair and (Plymouth) Valiant competitors, the Falcon was developed as a scaled-down version of the full-size Ford Galaxie. It offered a full range of body styles, including two-door and four-door sedans, two-door hardtops and convertibles, two-door and four-door station wagons, and coupé utility pickups.