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.

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…

The 2011 refreshed Edge coming out this year is a big launch for Ford. The interior really needed some work and the word is that Ford hit the mark on this one! Will be showcased at the Chicago Auto Show in the coming weeks.

From Car and Driver.com:

The big reveal of the refreshed 2011 Ford Edge will take place in about two weeks at the 2010 Chicago auto show, but why wait—these spy snaps give us a pretty clear idea of what form it will take. Not only that, but this prototype also previews the Sport trim, which should continue to be the sharpest-looking Edge in the drawer.

As with its twin, the Lincoln MKX, the angular Edge undergoes a dramatic mid-cycle revamp for 2011, starting with fresh front-end styling that actually has some radius edges. Indeed, shades of the Toyota Venza and the Honda Accord Crosstour—both prime competitors—can be seen in the Edge’s visage, with a vast majority of its frontal area devoted to the T-shaped arrangement of the headlamps and thick three-bar grille. It does not appear, however, that the new fascia will be affixed to new front fenders (the MKX, by comparison, is all-new from the A-pillars forward), but certainty on that point is complicated by this prototype’s black-and-white “cheese-puff” camouflage.

Read the full article here.

Probably a good move for Ford and you can believe Ford will keep the Escape name on this bad boy! Remember the Ford Five Hundred (spelled out none the less) debacle a few years back? Mr. Mulally understands the value of an established nameplate.

From AutoGuide.com:

Ford’s popular Escape crossover is set to be replaced in 2012 with the European Kuga. Recent reports suggest, however, that this new model may keep the Escape badge. According to Ward’s Auto, several Ford dealers have commented that it would be a waste to do away with the Escape badge as it has excellent recognition in the market and as the Escape is one of Ford’s top sellers and has even given the Toyota RAV-4 a run for its money.

“I believe the Escape is a great vehicle with a great reputation and that it would be a big mistake to kill the Escape name,” Owen Mossy, general manager of San Diego-based Mossy Ford, told Ward’s.

Read the full article here.

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.