Market Cars

Ford to launch facelifted Mondeo until global Mondeo

Ford is reportedly preparing to launch a subtle facelift for its European-market Mondeo sedan, but according to reports, this will be the last Mondeo revision before the new model – Ford's third new global product – hits the streets in 2014.
The interim Mondeo, pictured in the leaked photo on the right, will receive some minor adjustments to its appearance and specifications in an effort to keep it fresh, like the new Galaxy and S-Max minivans, until the new model arrives.

The next-gen Mondeo, however, will join the Fiesta and the new Focus as Ford's third new global car, replacing the Mondeo overseas and the Fusion in the North American market. According to reports, the new Mondeo/Fusion is being developed in the United States for expected simultaneous manufacturing – with few adjustments to local tastes – in the U.S., Europe and China.

[Sources: Autocar, BurlappCars.com]

Posted on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 / 2 nhận xét / Read More

Ford Reports could take Lincoln global

Just a few years ago, Ford had so many luxury brands in its then considerable suite of marques that there were upscale offerings for just about any taste in every region of the world. Aston Martin, Land Rover and Jaguar are now in the hands of other owners and Volvo is on the outs, so how will Ford deliver luxury goods to other regions of the world? How about Lincoln?

The idea has been kicked around to no avail in the past, but with a growing luxury market in emerging markets like China, the Blue Oval may need a new global plan for its lone luxury marquee. Automotive News reports that Ford will only discuss expanding Lincoln globally when its North American operation gets turned around. Ford President of the Americas Mark Fields told AN, "We don't have any plans at this point to take it global. That doesn't mean in the future we wouldn't look at that, but it's very important for us to focus on North America."

If Ford waits for Lincoln to turn around in North America before looking at other markets, the process could take a while. Lincoln sales were down 23 percent in 2009, with sales dipping to a 28-year low of 82,847 units. Many of Lincolns newer models have arrived with a luke-warm reception from both journalists and the car-buying public, though there are high hopes for the recently introduced 2011 Lincoln MKX and its trick MyLincoln Touch interface. Another Lincoln that could help spur sales overseas is a smaller model based off of the Concept C from the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Posted on Friday, January 15, 2010 / 0 nhận xét / Read More

Ford’s Detroit Electric Classic and Henry Ford Museum

Here we have it, the first photo of a production Detroit Electric EV on this blog. Only thing is this was made in 1914. This is the Detroit Electric Brougham and it was owned by Henry Ford’s wife.

Henry Ford actually bought this Detroit Electric for his wife because during that time, a Detroit Electric was pretty much considered a woman’s car. It was easier to start, quieter and cleaner than its combustion engine counterparts, putting it in favor of the urban women of that time. If you check out the photo gallery of the Detroit Electric car after the jump, you can even spot a little flower vase in the interior, so the Volkswagen New Beetle wasn’t the first with the idea!

I’m here in Michigan for the 2010 North American International Auto Show, also commonly referred to as the Detroit Auto Show. The show only starts on Monday so we had the opportunity to check out some of the nearby attractions such as the Henry Ford Museum near where we were staying in Dearborn, the hometown of Henry Ford and the HQ of the Ford Motor Company.

And as for the modern revived Detroit Electric – not sure when we’re going to see a production car from them. Look after the jump for more shots I snapped at the museum.

GALLERY: The Detroit Electric Car Classic

[Source: Paultan ]

Posted on Monday, January 11, 2010 / 0 nhận xét / Read More

2008 European Ford Focus Titanium

Ford's Saarlouis plant has commenced production of the facelifted 2008 Ford Focus for Europe. Something many Europeans will be happy to hear, and many American readers will once again cringe when they compare the award winning European version of the Focus against the American.

For 2008 Ford will be adding the Ford Focus ECOnetic to the line-up consisting of the Ambiente, Trend, Ghia, Titanium and ST models. Some of the new gadgets include Ford's Easyfuel system, start-stop button, tire deflation detection system, LED rear lamps, ESP as standard and state-of-the-art Ford PowerShift six-speed double-clutch transmission as an option.

“The 'C' car market is fiercely competitive and this dynamic new look incorporating our 'kinetic design' styling cues is aimed at keeping Focus at the top of its segment. A number of detail changes have been made to some models to deliver even better driveability and NVH performance.” said John Fleming, President and CEO, Ford of Europe.