Getting back on thread, regarding Ford: its better (at least for me) attempts to make a real people's car were some of its British models, such as the E494A Anglia.
Yesterday when I was walking my dog I even spotted an E494A Panel Van, altough it now has a Brazilian Chevette drivetrain
http://fotolog.com/cripple_rooster - blog oficial: Fordson E494A Panel Van
Crappy cellphone pictures were what was possible to take, since I left the camera at home.
Well, in spite of America's obsession for the biggest and more gas-guzzling cars ever, I honestly believe some of the old British Fords could have been a good option back in their days.