DYNAMIC NEXT-GENERATION FORD FOCUS DEBUTS

* Next-generation Ford Focus makes its worldwide debut at 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit
* Focus spearheads Ford’s new generation of global C-cars, all based on a common platform that will underpin up to 10 vehicles around the world and account for 2 million units of annual production by 2012
* Stylish new range provides customers with class-leading new technologies, features and craftsmanship
* New Focus targets exceptional fuel economy, and advances acclaimed levels of driving quality
* New range will start production simultaneously in Europe and North America in late 2010 and go on sale early in 2011. Asia, Africa and South America production will follow

DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2010 – The next-generation Ford Focus makes its worldwide debut providing customers with more affordable technologies and features than ever in this segment, as well as detailed craftsmanship, outstanding fuel economy and a new standard for driving quality.

Sleek, stylish and sporty, both the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles of the next-generation Focus are previewed prior to their production start for Europe and North America late in 2010 and market launch early in 2011.

The new Focus will be nearly identical in all markets, with 80 percent parts commonality around the world.
“The new Ford Focus is a clear demonstration that our ONE Ford strategy is providing global consumers with great products that harness the best of Ford Motor Company,” said Alan Mulally, Ford’s president and CEO.

“The efficiencies generated by our new global C-car platform will enable us to provide Ford Focus customers with an affordable product offering quality, fuel efficiency, safety and technology beyond their expectations,” he added.

Simultaneous launch in Europe and North America
Production of the next-generation Ford Focus will begin simultaneously in Europe and North America in late 2010, with individual market launches starting early in 2011. Launches in Asia, Africa and South America will follow. Initial production will be concentrated at the Saarlouis (Germany), Michigan (United States) and Chongqing (China) Assembly Plants.

The new Focus will be one of up to 10 unique models to be built from Ford’s new C-car platform, which is expected to generate total sales in all regions of 2 million units annually by 2012. The first of these will be the new Ford C-MAX and Ford Grand C-MAX – unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show – for launch in Europe in the second half of 2010.

“Global customers increasingly want smaller cars with outstanding fuel economy, but without sacrificing any of the style, technology, connectivity and driving quality they demand from larger vehicles,” explained Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development.

“Our next generation of C-cars – led by the exciting new Focus – will clearly show that Ford is ready to meet that challenge,” said Kuzak.

Engineered without compromise
The new Ford Focus has been developed by a global team, led from Ford’s European small and medium vehicle center of excellence in Merkenich, near Cologne, Germany, with powertrain development led by a similar team at Ford’s technical center in Dunton, England. The vehicle has been engineered without compromise to meet all customer and legislative requirements of the major worldwide markets.

In developing the vehicle for global markets, the product team in Europe was able to call on the experience acquired from recent programs like the much-acclaimed new Ford Fiesta, and was supported by the expertise of vehicle and powertrain technology specialists located in Ford’s engineering center in Dearborn, Mich.

Ford’s global development and sourcing strategy made it possible to provide a level of performance and feature content that is unrivaled for this vehicle segment and surprising even to drivers of larger, more premium vehicles.

Taking kinetic design to the next level
The no-compromise approach to the new Ford Focus is immediately evident from the striking exterior design of the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback models that take center stage at the 2010 NAIAS.

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Ford Motor Company [NYSE: F] announced today that a consortium led by Zhejiang Geely Group Holding Co. Ltd. is its preferred bidder in the ongoing discussions concerning the possible sale of Volvo Car Corporation.

Ford said that while it will be engaging in more detailed and focused negotiations with Geely, no final decisions have been made.

“Ford’s objective in our discussions with Geely is to secure an agreement that is in the best interests of all the parties,” said Lewis Booth, Ford Motor Company executive vice president and chief financial officer. “Any prospective sale would have to ensure that Volvo has the resources, including the capital investment, necessary to further strengthen the business and build its global franchise, while enabling Ford to continue to focus on and implement our core ONE Ford strategy.

“Ford believes Geely has the potential to be a responsible future owner of Volvo and to take the business forward while preserving its core values and the independence of the Swedish brand. But there is much work that needs to be completed in the more substantive discussions that are agreed to take place. We have no specific timeline to conclude the discussions.”

While Ford would continue to cooperate with Volvo in several areas after a possible sale, Ford said it does not intend to retain a shareholding in Volvo.

John Fleming, chairman of Ford of Europe and Volvo Cars, said: “Ford fully understands the iconic Swedish nature of the Volvo brand and the responsibility we have as Volvo’s custodian to its employees, local communities and other key stakeholders.

“Any sale also would need to take into account the significant connections between Ford and Volvo in terms of continuing component supply, engineering and manufacturing.”

Ford and Volvo will maintain appropriate communications with key stakeholders, such as Volvo’s employees, unions and the Swedish government, during the ongoing process.

“Volvo’s management team welcomes today’s announcement as a positive step forward,” Volvo CEO Stephen Odell said. “At Volvo, we are continuing to keep our attention firmly fixed on engineering and building great Volvo cars, to reduce our cost base and to return the business to sustainable profitability at the earliest possible opportunity.”

* Ford Motor Company President and CEO Alan Mulally today revealed the much-anticipated new car to be produced in India. Called the new Ford Figo, the car was unveiled at a press event in Delhi as a major addition to the Ford India brand portfolio.
* Mulally’s visit underscores the strategic importance of India in Ford’s future plans. He stated the new Ford Figo is designed and engineered to compete in the heart of the domestic India car market.
* The new Ford Figo will be manufactured at Ford’s expanded integrated manufacturing facility near Chennai, which is undergoing a $500 million transformation to become a regional centre of excellence for Ford small car production.
* The importance of Ford Figo extends beyond India’s borders. Ford’s investment in its Chennai plant gears it for eco-friendly volume production and positions Ford India to become a major export producer.

DELHI, India, Sept. 23, 2009 – India’s role as an important player in the future of Ford Motor Company’s international strategy was underscored today when the company’s President and CEO, Alan Mulally, unveiled an all-new car targeting the heart of the Indian car market – the new Ford Figo.

Small cars – with an engine capacity of 0.8 liters to 1.6 liters – comprised 73% of the 1.22 million cars sold in India in the year ended March 31. With annual sales forecast to grow to 3.0 million units by 2016, global automakers are moving to introduce small cars to the country.

General Motors Corp., Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co., Volkswagen AG and Nissan Motor Co. already sell small cars in India or plan to do so from next year.

Suzuki Motor Corp. and Hyundai Motor Co. currently dominate India’s car market because they sell several small car models.

Automakers are also using India as a global hub for small cars to utilize India’s low-cost manufacturing capabilities. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., the nation’s biggest carmaker by sales, exports the A-Star and Alto to several countries, while Hyundai produces the i20 hatchback solely in India for export worldwide.

The Ford Figo, a new nameplate and a fresh face on the Indian market, signals Ford’s intention to compete in India’s largest and most important small car market segment.

Ford Figo is the result of a significant Ford investment commitment to expand its plant near Chennai for volume production as a small-car centre of excellence regionally. Ford’s $500 million investment has doubled the plant’s production capacity to 200,000 units per year and introduces major advances in high-quality automation and innovative, eco-friendly production techniques.

“Our exciting new Ford Figo shows how serious we are about India,” Mulally said. “It reflects our commitment to compete with great products in all segments of this car market. We are confident the Ford Figo will be a product that Indian consumers really want and value.”

Ford Figo is designed and engineered to compete in India’s small car segment, which accounts for more than 70 percent of the new vehicle market. It leverages Ford’s small-car platform architecture, sharing underlying technology with the Ford Fiesta, already familiar to Indian drivers.

New Shape, Solid Foundation
Today’s press conference in Delhi was the first public preview of the exterior design of the new Ford Figo. Ford is reserving further details about the vehicle until closer to its production launch early in 2010.

Design-conscious Italy inspired the new Ford Figo’s name. Figo is colloquial Italian for “cool.”

Sharing key elements of Ford’s kinetic design language with vehicles like the globally renowned Ford Focus, Ford Mondeo and the Ford Fiesta, Ford Figo features a fresh, contemporary shape that will be a distinctive alternative to traditional brands in this segment. The design language conveys a dynamic spirit of energy in motion.

Quality, substance and generous proportions are clearly evident in the design of the new Ford Figo, which features a solid stance, an invitingly large interior and a vibrant, youthful character. Its package is right-sized for the market, which is predominated by congested urban driving conditions.

From its modern headlamps, grille shapes and sculpted bonnet of its distinctive face to the subtle integrated spoiler and chamfered window shape at the rear, Ford Figo is filled with kinetic design touches. These also include sculpted shapes to the body side – chiseled front fenders, a “comet tail” undercut in the doors and additional light-catching sculpting in the lower bodyside – which combine to communicate the solidity, substance and protective safety of its design.

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FRANKFURT DEBUT FOR ALL-NEW FORD C-MAX:

STYLISH AND VERSATILE

COLOGNE, Germany, September 4, 2009 – Ford of Europe has released the first official images of the all-new Ford C-MAX, which will make its global debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The show opens to the public between September 17 and 27, 2009.

The new Ford C-MAX takes its design cues from the stunning iosis MAX concept car unveiled at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, and brings new levels of style and desirability to the compact multi-activity vehicle (MAV) market.

Departing from usual MAV thinking by using Ford’s ‘kinetic design’ styling language to adopt a more dynamic passenger-car look, the new model features a coupé-like, sweeping roofline while still retaining the established Ford C-MAX hallmarks of comfort, space, and practicality.

The new Ford C-MAX will introduce a host of new technologies to the Ford range, including an all-new 1.6-litre Ford EcoBoost direct injection petrol engine and other advanced features to enhance convenience and safety such as semi-automatic parallel parking and a blind-spot detection system.

The Ford C-MAX will be launched in the second half of 2010 and is the first in a new generation of global vehicles developed from Ford’s new C-segment platform, scheduled for introduction over the next several years. The global range will also include the all-new Ford Focus coming in late 2010.

Further details about the new Ford C-MAX will be released at Ford’s Frankfurt press conference at 11.00 hrs (CET) on 15 September.

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Ford and Mazda Inaugurate New US$500 Million Passenger Car Plant at AutoAlliance Thailand
State-of-the-art manufacturing technologies will be used to produce new Mazda2 and Ford Fiesta for domestic and export markets

RAYONG, Thailand – July 13, 2009 – Ford Motor Company and Mazda Motor Corporation today celebrated the official opening of a new US$500 million passenger car plant at their joint-venture manufacturing facility, AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT). The inauguration represents the culmination of an additional investment and expansion program of this global manufacturing hub, which was announced in 2007.

To celebrate the new plant’s opening, Thailand’s Crown Princess, HRH Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, was joined by U.S. Ambassador, Eric John, Japan Ambassador, Kyoji Komachi, and senior executives from Ford, Mazda and AAT in a formal ceremony at the new state-of-the-art facility in Rayong’s Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate.

The completed expansion increases the total annual production capacity at AAT to 275,000 units. The new passenger car facility will produce the Mazda2 and Ford Fiesta compact cars for sale in Thailand, and export throughout the ASEAN region, as well as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. AAT already exports Ford and Mazda pickup trucks to more than 130 markets around the world.

“The completion of this investment underscores the significance of AAT for our regional operations and its strategic role as a global manufacturing and export hub,” said David Alden, president, Ford ASEAN. “The ASEAN region is a critical component of our overall growth strategy in Asia, and the further diversification of products manufactured at AAT will be a fundamental driver of this growth.”

The completion of this new investment increases Ford and Mazda’s total joint investment in the vast AAT facility to more than US$1.5 billion since 1995.
“The new passenger car plant at AutoAlliance Thailand will play an important role as a production base in Mazda’s global strategy. The new plant employs the industry’s latest flexible manufacturing technologies, ensuring world-class quality, safety and environmental friendliness,” said Masaharu Yamaki, executive vice president, Mazda Motor Corporation.

“AAT continues to be a global success story in terms of the superb cooperation between Mazda, Ford and AAT employees who constantly strive to achieve a shared vision of success. I have every confidence this teamwork will enable us to overcome the current market challenges and lead us to further business growth,” added Yamaki.

The new highly-flexible passenger car plant utilizes the latest auto manufacturing technologies, automated systems and process, and includes a new stamping line and body shop, trim and final process area. Warehouse storage has also been expanded to handle the increased production volume and a new cafeteria has been built.

The completed paint shop can now accommodate both pickup trucks and passenger cars, and uses the world-class and environmentally-friendly Three Layer Wet Paint System, which dramatically reduces VOC and CO2 emissions and waste, and improves painting quality.

“The completion of the new AAT passenger car plant represents a tremendous achievement that is shared by all of our stakeholders – Ford, Mazda, the Thai government, and in particular, the Board of Investment, our suppliers, and certainly our dedicated AAT employees,” said Kiyotaka Shobuda, president of AutoAlliance Thailand.

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FORD IOSIS MAX CONCEPT COMBINES STYLE, INNOVATION AND EFFICIENCY

1 Introduction and Highlights

* Third in the series of exciting iosis ‘kinetic design’ concept cars is unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show

* New iosis MAX is a vision for Ford’s next generation compact multi-activity vehicle (MAV), and hints at the design direction of Ford’s next global C-cars

* Concept combines bold, dynamic styling with new levels of efficiency and flexibility

* Striking exterior design based on a fresh interpretation of Ford’s kinetic design form language

* Coupé-like side profile, with bold new window line graphic and highly original ‘flying buttress’ C-pillar design

* Distinctive new design treatments for lower trapezoidal grille and front / rear lights

* Interior presents a bold evolution of the exterior design language, incorporating dynamic shapes and advanced materials

* Slim, muscular instrument panel flows into innovative centre console with three-dimensional touch-screen surface

* Lightweight seats supported on spine-like bridge, so that occupants are ‘floating on air’

* Unique two-piece tailgate design allows full opening even in restricted spaces

* B-Pillarless construction and new door kinematics provides optimised side loading

* Environmental sustainability enhanced by innovative powertrain technologies, advanced aerodynamics and lightweight construction techniques

* iosis MAX previews Ford of Europe’s high efficiency EcoBoost engine family with a 1.6-litre 180 PS unit designed to deliver improved fuel economy and lower emissions

* 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine is coupled to a new Ford Auto-Start-Stop system and Ford’s advanced PowerShift transmission showcasing future possibilities for lean, clean and efficient petrol powertrains

1.1 Introduction by John Fleming

“The new iosis MAX concept car marks another important step in the renaissance of Ford of Europe’s product design under the leadership of Martin Smith.

The two previous iosis concepts were significant milestones in that process. They helped to introduce our new design strategy, and to show how kinetic design would play a key role in transforming our future product line.

The fantastic reception given to our latest models – from the Mondeo and Kuga, through to the Fiesta and Ka – suggests that we’ve been getting our strategy right.

The iosis MAX is an exciting third addition to the iosis concept car series.

While it is a bespoke concept and doesn’t preview a specific production model,
iosis MAX does provide a tempting glimpse into the design direction and efficient powertrain technologies being adopted for the next generation of Ford’s global medium car range.

Presenting such a bold concept car during the current economic climate highlights the confidence within Ford of Europe about the company’s design philosophy and the strength of our current – and future – product line-up.

The iosis MAX sends a powerful signal that there are more stylish and desirable Ford products just around the corner.

John Fleming, Chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe
March 2009

1.2 iosis MAX highlights

Ford is unveiling the third in its series of exciting iosis ‘kinetic design’ bespoke concept cars at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. iosis MAX is a concept study for the next generation of Ford’s compact multi-activity vehicle (MAV) as well as a glimpse at the design direction Martin Smith and his team are taking for the company’s next generation global C-car family.

The iosis MAX features striking exterior and interior designs based on a fresh interpretation of Ford’s kinetic design form language. It is a dynamic MAV and showcases new levels of efficiency and flexibility.

The car’s dramatic looks are complemented by innovative solutions which enhance its practicality and environmental performance. These include new door opening concepts, lightweight materials, advanced aerodynamics, and a preview of the European development of Ford’s global EcoBoost petrol engine technology coming in 2010.

Coupled to this clean and lean engine are the recently introduced and acclaimed Ford PowerShift transmission, plus a new Ford Auto-Start-Stop system due for production
in 2010.

“The iosis MAX marks the next stage in the evolution of kinetic design, and showcases a number of affordable petrol engine technologies that will make a difference to the environment and our customers’ pockets,” says Martin Smith, Ford of Europe’s Executive Design Director.

“Our designers have stretched themselves beyond the two previous iosis concepts, and have applied kinetic design form language to a MAV format vehicle,” adds Smith. “The iosis MAX proves that cars in the compact MAV class can have emotive, dynamic styling without sacrificing their traditional virtues of practicality or efficiency – something that the larger and revolutionary S-MAX has already demonstrated.”

“Although the iosis MAX isn’t a forerunner to a specific production vehicle, it clearly highlights how kinetic design is evolving and can be applied with stunning results to all vehicles in the Ford portfolio.”

Exciting, dynamic design
Like all kinetic design vehicles, the exciting shape of the iosis MAX conveys ‘energy in motion’ through its athletic stance and muscular surfacing.

The design team also sought to create a strong impression of lightness and efficiency. This was achieved through the concept’s sleek, sporting and aerodynamic profile, which provides a clear contrast to the more boxy approach adopted by many vehicles in the compact MAV segment.

The feeling of lightness is reinforced by the extensive use of glass in the vehicle, with the steeply raked front screen flowing back in one piece to the tailgate, revealing the skeletal roof structure underneath.

The visual excitement of the concept’s exterior is also transferred to its interior design. The cabin extends some of the kinetic design themes with complex shapes and graphic forms which complement the expressive style used on the outside of the vehicle.

Advanced materials are combined with innovative solutions like the ‘floating’ seat design to create an overwhelming feeling of space and lightness for the occupants.

New style for Compact MAVs
The primary objective for the iosis MAX exterior design team was to create an exciting new style for compact MAV format vehicles by applying kinetic design principles.

“We were convinced that we could use our kinetic design form language to develop a
C-segment MAV that was sporty, dynamic and desirable,” explains Stefan Lamm, Ford of Europe’s chief exterior designer. “The iosis MAX takes the core kinetic design elements and extends them to a new level, with a totally fresh execution which is not only stylish and innovative, but functional too.”

The front of the iosis MAX is dominated by the bold trapezoidal lower grille, which is now a key part of the Ford brand identity. For the first time, however, the grille features a distinctive new treatment with three horizontal chrome-rimmed bars, giving the vehicle’s face a more dynamic and imposing feel.

The dynamic character of the design is reinforced by the coupé-like side profile, with its striking new window line shape – the daylight opening graphic – and rakish C-pillar design.

The C-pillars, with their highly original ‘flying buttress’ design, also deliver significant functional benefits. The pillars act as spoilers, channelling airflow as close as possible to the tailgate glass for optimum aerodynamic efficiency.

The pillars work in combination with the dramatic looking aerodynamic spoiler which is centrally mounted at the rear of the roof structure, with its wings cantilevered above the tailgate glass.

Imaginative details catch the eye all around the vehicle, including the striking new graphics for the front and rear lamps, stylish LED lighting strips in the rocker panels, and stunning 19-inch alloy wheels with a lightweight two-piece construction.

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Ford designers deliver a distinctive, muscular Tough Style look for new Ranger with clear inspiration from high-impact Ranger MAX show truckAvailable in Standard Cab, Open Cab and Double Cab body styles with choice of class-leading 2.5- and 3.0-litre Duratorq TDCi commonrail enginesThe New Ranger is offered special price during the introduction. The Open Cab Hi-Rider 2.5 XLS, which comes with full package of Duratorq TDCi commonrail 2.5L that is very fuel economy but powerful and limited slip differential, comes in the best-in-class price of only Bt599,000 during the introduction period.New Ranger arrives in Ford dealer showrooms from February 11
Ford gave the compact pickup segment an exciting new look today with the reveal of the new Ranger defined by its distinctive, muscular Tough Style exterior, building on its reputation of versatility and toughness of 100% Truck.
Inspired by the outstanding public reaction to the Ranger MAX show truck revealed at the 2008 Thailand International Motor Expo in November, Ford designers have put into production the show truck’s horizontal three-bar grille, distinctive wraparound headlamps and sculpted surfaces united with precise execution.

“Reinforcing new Ranger’s Tough Style is genuine class-leading strength and power that have made Ford Ranger one of the most respected pickups on the market,” says Saroj Kiatfuengfoo, Senior Vice President, Ford Thailand. “Add to that improved refinement and comfort, and there is no other compact pickup that matches Ranger’s all-around qualities. It has instant credibility as an urban vehicle. It’s the modern muscular look that today’s truck owner wants.”

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By George Gao From:Gasgoo.com

Ford Motor Company’s Asia Pacific and Africa region headquarters, with supporting corporate functions, will be moving to China, Ford Motor (China) Ltd told Gasgoo.com today. Thailand (Bangkok) will continue to serve as Ford’s ASEAN regional headquarters.

In an email reply to the Gasgoo.com inquiry this afternoon about Ford Asia Pacific’s headquarters relocation to China, Lynn Ouyang, Communications & Public Affairs executive of Ford Motor (China) Ltd., said: “Today, we can confirm that our leadership team, with supporting corporate functions, will be moving to China.”

The email added that “Thailand will continue to serve as the ASEAN regional headquarters with our Ford ASEAN leadership team and supporting corporate functions based in Bangkok.”

“Ford Motor Company’s Asia Pacific and Africa region is continuing the process of regionalization in order to achieve more effective integration and leverage of global assets, and improved management processes that deliver the consistency, efficiency and effectiveness to be competitive in today’s business environment,” the email said at the beginning.

Lynn Ouyang finally said in the reply: “Additional centers of excellence will be established around the region. It is still too early in the process to discuss anything further.”

In 2004, Volkswagen AG and General Motors relocated their Asia Pacific regional headquarters to China to seek greater growth in the center of this region’s auto business. China has become the world’s second largest auto market after the United States.

source:pantip.com