Not a Midget - the lights are recessed on that car. The white car is almost certainly a MKIV Cortina.
Corporate stagnation in design is everywhere now, the money men daren't take a risk any more. All the German manufacturers have done it for a long time, but now Toyota and Renault are at it.
Mind you, who are we to criticise.............
Those of a certain age will remember the outcry when Ford released the Sierra - it was despised.