Ford’s Police Interceptor more durable than Crown Vic?
Posted by Staff (03/12/2010 @ 5:31 pm)
The highly anticipated (in jails and FOP lodges around the country) “Police Interceptor” from Ford has finally been uncovered! That is one tough looking Cruiser and it comes with an optional AWD with 365 horsepower.
From the Detroit Free Press:
Ford introduced its all-new Police Interceptor to a crowd of law enforcement officials today at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas and said it is developing a new sport utility-based police vehicle that it will unveil later this year.
The new Police Interceptor that Ford introduced today will replace the company’s iconic Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, which has dominated police car sales for years.
Ford said the new vehicle is more durable and performs better than the outgoing Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. The new car is based on the same structure as the Ford Taurus full-size sedan and will be built at Ford’s Chicago assembly plant.
Read the full article here.
Ford trying to jump start economy
Posted by Staff (02/27/2010 @ 11:38 am)
Ford is doing their part to jump start this economy with another announcement that will bring people back to work at The Cleveland Engine Plan with a $155 Million investment. They will be building the new and well touted 3.7 liter V-6 engine that will drop into the 2011 Mustangs!
Ford Motor Co. will invest $155 million in its Cleveland Engine Plant to produce the new 3.7-liter V-6 for the 2011 Ford Mustang.
The move is part of a broader push to introduce nine new engines and transmissions in North America this year. With today’s announcement, Ford is two-thirds of the way to its goal — investing a total of $1.8 billion to build six of those at factories from Mexico to Canada.
Read the full article at the Detroit News.
Photo from fOTOGLIF
Why did Ford build the Flex?
Posted by Staff (02/21/2010 @ 12:13 am)
Why did Ford build the Flex? This boxy vehicle was supposed to fill a gap in the lineup that was partially occupied by the Ford Windstar..ehhhhh do I have to mention the Freestar??? Even though Ford didn’t put huge numbers out there for the Flex to hit in regards to sales it has to be a disappointment for The Blue Oval. This Flex is so damn boxy and awkward it really turns a lot of us off and for the price tag you would hope for more better styling. (hint: Chevy Traverse or GMC Acadia to name a few)
It is interesting to see that Peter Horbury has been shipped out of the design studios for Ford after laying an egg with the under achieving big box Flex and has new assignments on his desk somewhere far away from Mulally’s office. This SUV/Crossover segment is huge and very profitable and Ford just blew it with this one. I know there are those of you who like the Flex and have even purchased one but how many of your friends or kids like it too? The Ford division is not in the business to design and build micro niche vehicles! (I just made up micro niche) Ford is and always will be a mass appeal brand and maybe, just maybe, the Flex box would have been better off as a Mercury. I know it would have been just as ugly but hey, Mercury is a very small division and isn’t expected to put up the big numbers like the Ford guys and gals.
The underpinnings of this car are actually solid and the new Lincoln MKT looks fabulous (even though the price tag is high) in a much better skin so maybe we’ll see a completely new Flex box next time around! Let’s only hope…
Posted in: Car Reviews, Cars, New Cars, News
Tags: Flex, Ford, Ford Flex, Ford news, Ford Windstar, Freestar, Headlines, Lincoln MKT, Peter Horbury
Ford expects Volvo deal with Geely
Posted by Staff (12/23/2009 @ 6:20 pm)
This is good news for Ford as they will finally move on from the disastrous “Premium Automotive Group” dream of years gone by! But the bigger news in the aggressive Chinese auto firms that include Volvo suitor Geely Automotive. The Volvo move is another round of the Chinese building distribution in the North American market that should pay off big time when they hit the ground running. This whole market will change once the Chinese arrive!
From the Detroit News:
Ford Motor Co. today said it is close to finalizing a deal to sell its Swedish luxury brand, Volvo, to China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co.
In a statement released this morning, the Dearborn automaker confirmed that “all substantive commercial terms relating to the potential sale of (Volvo) have been settled,” but added that “some work still remains to be completed before signing — including final documentation, financing and government approvals.”
Geely released its own statement today — one that sought to reassure Volvo employees and the Swedish government.
Read the full article here.
Ford to invest $2.3 billion to modernize factories
Posted by Staff (11/22/2009 @ 11:47 am)
With Ford continuing on their comeback streak they appear to be keeping the pedal to the metal with factory upgrades. Ford is reported to invest $2.3 billion in Brazil over the next five years to modernize factories and hopefully increase production. Ford is really making a move to re-establish themselves as one of the top auto companies going into the next decade.
From the Detroit News:
More than half of the money will be spent to expand production at the factory, which is Ford’s most advanced assembly plant in the world, and to modernize production at Troller Veículos Especiais S/A in Horizonte, Ceará, which Ford bought in 2007. The rest will be reserved for future product investments.
Ford spokeswoman Jennifer Flake said it represents the largest five-year investment in Ford do Brazil’s 90-year history.
“It will give us greater manufacturing flexibility,” she said.
Michael Robinet, vice president of global vehicle forecasting at CSM Worldwide in Northville, called the investment well-timed.
“It is an important market,” he said, adding that Brazilian consumers are becoming more sophisticated and are no longer satisfied with cast-off models from Europe and the United States. “Going forward, Ford knows that it will be a critical market for global platforms.”
Read the entire article here.
Photo from fOTOGLIF
