xcel
09-16-2006, 02:35 PM
The small cars will compete in a fast-growing segment dominated by fuel-sippers such as the Chevrolet Aveo, Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris. (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006609160375)
Mark Phelan - Detroit Free Press - Sept. 16, 2006
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Fiesta_ST.jpg
Ford’s B-car plan will draw on models like the European Ford Fiesta
Ford Motor Co. provided a peek into its model plans Friday in unveiling its revised recovery plan.
Executives said the company will add several new models and drop a couple of tired warhorses as the company strives to make its Ford, Lincoln and Mercury showrooms more appealing and relevant.
Added
Subcompacts. Ford needs an inexpensive, high-fuel-economy model to draw shoppers. The B-car plan will draw on models like the Ka and Fiesta developed by the automaker's overseas operations. Ford probably will offer several body styles based on its global B-car architecture. Concepts such as the Reflex and Synus may be indicative of styling.
The small cars will compete in a fast-growing segment dominated by fuel-sippers such as the Chevrolet Aveo, Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris. The program probably also will produce a midget SUV such as the one Ford sells in Europe and South America. At 158.2 inches long, it is nearly a foot and a half shorter than Ford's Escape compact SUV.
On sale: 2009 at the earliest.
Compact. More models developed by Ford's European and Asian units. Leading possibilities include the S-Max microvan, which is based on the Focus compact car but features seven seats. The stylish and space-efficient S-Max is 3 inches shorter than midsize Fusion sedan Ford sells in the United States.
Smaller still, the Focus C-Max van squeezes five passengers into a body that is shorter than a Honda Civic coupe. Other possibilities include a sporty compact coupe and diesel power to slash fuel costs.
On sale: 2009 at the earliest.
Fairlane. Based on a roomy and attractive concept that won raves on the auto-show circuit, the Fairlane is intended to reinvent the American family hauler. We haven't seen styling for the production model yet, but Ford wants to combine the practicality of a six- or seven-seat minivan with a stylish design people will admire for its looks and practicality.
"Nobody has come up with the defining model for this new segment yet," a Ford executive said. "We think we have a chance to do that with the Fairlane."
On sale: 2008.
Discontinued
Taurus. Ford will take the midsize sedan off the respirator next year, ending production of the model that once was America's favorite car. Consumers never warmed to the car's 1995 redesign. Ford now sells the Taurus only to fleet buyers, but it is the company's second best-selling car this year, behind the Mustang.
Production ends: 2007
Freestar. Ford's strong-selling Windstar minivan never recovered from the name change that came with its ill-fated redesign three years ago. Freestar sales tumbled, and its Mercury twin, the Monterey, dies this year. The Oakville, Ontario, plant that builds the minivans will assemble the new Fairlane in 2008.
Production ends: 2007
Reprieved
Lincoln Town Car. Production of Lincoln's limousine will move to Canada when Ford's Wixom Assembly Plant in Oakland County closes next year. The Town Car will join the Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis on the assembly line in St. Thomas, Ontario. Many observers suspected Ford would kill the Town Car, but the long-running big car is still Lincoln's best-selling model by a wide margin. It dominates the limousine market and should continue to make money for Ford for the foreseeable future.
Mark Phelan - Detroit Free Press - Sept. 16, 2006
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Fiesta_ST.jpg
Ford’s B-car plan will draw on models like the European Ford Fiesta
Ford Motor Co. provided a peek into its model plans Friday in unveiling its revised recovery plan.
Executives said the company will add several new models and drop a couple of tired warhorses as the company strives to make its Ford, Lincoln and Mercury showrooms more appealing and relevant.
Added
Subcompacts. Ford needs an inexpensive, high-fuel-economy model to draw shoppers. The B-car plan will draw on models like the Ka and Fiesta developed by the automaker's overseas operations. Ford probably will offer several body styles based on its global B-car architecture. Concepts such as the Reflex and Synus may be indicative of styling.
The small cars will compete in a fast-growing segment dominated by fuel-sippers such as the Chevrolet Aveo, Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris. The program probably also will produce a midget SUV such as the one Ford sells in Europe and South America. At 158.2 inches long, it is nearly a foot and a half shorter than Ford's Escape compact SUV.
On sale: 2009 at the earliest.
Compact. More models developed by Ford's European and Asian units. Leading possibilities include the S-Max microvan, which is based on the Focus compact car but features seven seats. The stylish and space-efficient S-Max is 3 inches shorter than midsize Fusion sedan Ford sells in the United States.
Smaller still, the Focus C-Max van squeezes five passengers into a body that is shorter than a Honda Civic coupe. Other possibilities include a sporty compact coupe and diesel power to slash fuel costs.
On sale: 2009 at the earliest.
Fairlane. Based on a roomy and attractive concept that won raves on the auto-show circuit, the Fairlane is intended to reinvent the American family hauler. We haven't seen styling for the production model yet, but Ford wants to combine the practicality of a six- or seven-seat minivan with a stylish design people will admire for its looks and practicality.
"Nobody has come up with the defining model for this new segment yet," a Ford executive said. "We think we have a chance to do that with the Fairlane."
On sale: 2008.
Discontinued
Taurus. Ford will take the midsize sedan off the respirator next year, ending production of the model that once was America's favorite car. Consumers never warmed to the car's 1995 redesign. Ford now sells the Taurus only to fleet buyers, but it is the company's second best-selling car this year, behind the Mustang.
Production ends: 2007
Freestar. Ford's strong-selling Windstar minivan never recovered from the name change that came with its ill-fated redesign three years ago. Freestar sales tumbled, and its Mercury twin, the Monterey, dies this year. The Oakville, Ontario, plant that builds the minivans will assemble the new Fairlane in 2008.
Production ends: 2007
Reprieved
Lincoln Town Car. Production of Lincoln's limousine will move to Canada when Ford's Wixom Assembly Plant in Oakland County closes next year. The Town Car will join the Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis on the assembly line in St. Thomas, Ontario. Many observers suspected Ford would kill the Town Car, but the long-running big car is still Lincoln's best-selling model by a wide margin. It dominates the limousine market and should continue to make money for Ford for the foreseeable future.