Part 1/8:

The Malaise Era of American Automobiles: A Focus on the Ford Fairmont

The period known as the Malaise Era in American automotive history spanned from the mid-1970s to early 1980s. This was a transformative time for the industry, characterized by a shift towards fuel efficiency, strict emission standards, and a rapid downsizing of vehicles. These changes came in response to economic pressures and a burgeoning market for import cars, which left many U.S. automakers struggling to maintain quality amidst a landscape of increasingly competitive offerings. The result was often a series of shortcuts that led to quality control issues, causing many consumers to turn to import brands.