with so much platform sharing, the 'brand and country' loyalty is pointless, even the Fiesta 1.4 TDCi engine is actually a (now rather old) fiat unit! fiat power train dominate the small engine arena, many manufacturers are now using fiat or Renault engines - this is why Nissan diesel cars carry the DCi script - it denotes Renault engines.
almost all cars share something with another brand. aside from the new Lancia Thema (which is in fact the new chrysler 300C for the European market) all B and C segment chryslers for 2012 are Lancias. (Ypsilon and delta) from previous small chrysler offerings, this can only be a good move.
the ultimate mass market (ish) car though is, and has always been the Mercedes S class - always a decade ahead of anything else. mind you for 70k for a basic one (if there is such a thing) it should be good.
My brother has an 05 S350, and its truly incredible, words cannot describe how smooth quiet and refined it is. but again, its not very old, low mileage (40,000) and cost well over £70k new.
quite a car for the £9k he paid though, even if it was bought 'mates rates - its book is about £14k
