Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Ford cranks up Focus production to meet C4C demand]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/13/ford-cranks-up-focus-production-to-meet-c4c-demand/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/13/ford-cranks-up-focus-production-to-meet-c4c-demand/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/13/ford-cranks-up-focus-production-to-meet-c4c-demand/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


2009 Ford Focus SES Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

Further proof that Cash for Clunkers is fueling sales of small cars comes today by way of Ford. The Blue Oval is reportedly cranking up production of the Focus compact in order to satisfy demand. Shortly after the government's scrappage plan was launched, news came that the Ford Focus was the top-selling nameplate on Cash for Clunkers trade-ins, though it was subsequently replaced by the Toyota Corolla and Ford's own Escape.

No matter what vehicle is benefiting the most from C4C, we're sure the hard hit auto workers at the Wayne Assembly plant will appreciate the overtime, which will run from now through the end of September and will result in an additional 6,400 Focuses rolling down the line. For those interested in the numbers, Ford reported a 44-percent increase in Focus sales in July over the previous month.


Gallery: Review: 2009 Ford Focus SES Coupe


Photos Copyright (C)2008 John Neff / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Ford cranks up Focus production to meet C4C demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 ford focus2009 ford focus coupe2009FordFocus2009FordFocusCoupe2010 ford focus2010 ford focus coupe2010FordFocus2010FordFocusCoupecash for clunkersCashForClunkersfordford focusford focus productionford focus salesFordFocusFordFocusProductionFordFocusSalesThu, 13 Aug 2009 09:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19127487/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/08/13/ford-cranks-up-focus-production-to-meet-c4c-demand/19127487/article-detail.xml 19127487 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/2009-ford-focus-coupe-snow-review-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/2009-ford-focus-coupe-snow-review-630.jpg <![CDATA[Rendered Speculation: Yet another next-gen Ford Focus photoshop]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/05/rendered-speculation-yet-another-next-gen-ford-focus-photoshop/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/05/rendered-speculation-yet-another-next-gen-ford-focus-photoshop/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/05/rendered-speculation-yet-another-next-gen-ford-focus-photoshop/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Ford's design language can be largely distilled to three words: "let it ride." 2005's Iosis Concept created the template for kinetic design, and ever since then Ford has cashed in a number of winning bets on that language. Next up is the 2010 Ford Focus, based on the Iosis Max concept, and all of the speculation so far hints at a fine-looking, capable performer.

Powering the Focus will be a range of EcoBoost engines ranging from an 89 hp 1.0-liter to a 1.6-liter with 197 hp. Look for the Europeans to also get a diesel lineup that that tops out with a 197-horsepower 2.0-liter oil-burner. The available powerplants are expected to be mated with either a manual transmission or a Powershift twin-clutch setup.

The car's handling and refinement will be improved, and options are are expected to include a panoramic glass roof, Ford's Human Machine Interface, and a reversing camera. The next Ford Focus is expected to go on sale later this year in China, then in the U.S. shortly thereafter along with the C-Max compact people mover.

[Source: Auto Express]

Rendered Speculation: Yet another next-gen Ford Focus photoshop originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Apr 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford focus2010FordFocusc-maxecoboosteconomyfocusfordford c-maxford focusFordC-maxFordFocushatchbackmpvrendered speculationRenderedSpeculationSun, 05 Apr 2009 14:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1507540/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/04/05/rendered-speculation-yet-another-next-gen-ford-focus-photoshop/1507540/article-detail.xml 1507540 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/focus_render_ae3_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/focus_render_ae3.jpg <![CDATA[Next Ford Focus could net over 40 MPG]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/19/next-ford-focus-could-net-over-40-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/19/next-ford-focus-could-net-over-40-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/19/next-ford-focus-could-net-over-40-mpg/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a gallery of the 2008 Euro Ford Focus

Even if the Lincoln Concept C from the Detroit Auto Show never makes it to production, its powertrain could find its way into FoMoCo's small cars. While the first application of Ford's new EcoBoost series of engines will be a 3.5L V6 in the 2009 Ford Flex, the technology might make the most sense in a much smaller and more efficient package. For instance, in the Lincoln Concept C, the 1.6-liter turbocharged, direct injected four-cylinder offers up 180 hp and an equal amount of torque while returning a (theoreticall) 43 mpg on the highway. This powerplant could be mated with Ford's PowerShift dual clutch gearbox in an uplevel version of the next-gen Focus subcompact that's expected to debut in 2010, offering a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency over the outgoing 2.0L four.

Gallery: 2008 Euro Ford Focus


[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Next Ford Focus could net over 40 MPG originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford focus2010FordFocus2011 ford focus2011FordFocusford ecoboostford focusford focus ecoboostFordEcoboostFordFocusFordFocusEcoboostMon, 19 Jan 2009 18:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1433952/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/01/19/next-ford-focus-could-net-over-40-mpg/1433952/article-detail.xml 1433952 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/euro_ford_focus_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/euro_ford_focus.jpg <![CDATA[Ford: We can make money on small cars!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/13/ford-we-can-make-money-on-small-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/13/ford-we-can-make-money-on-small-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/13/ford-we-can-make-money-on-small-cars/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Click above for high-res gallery of the Euro Ford Focus

For years, enthusiasts have been clamoring for Euro-only Blue Oval models to be sold in American dealerships. This dream is finally coming true, starting with the new Ford Fiesta and next-gen 2010 Ford Focus. Mark Fields has revealed that the European Focus and Foci built in North America will share 90% of their parts compared to just 20% today. Not only will this make for better cars, it also allows Ford to realize a double-digit profit improvement on each Focus compared to what it's earning today. This is certainly a positive development, as the automaker believes that the small car segment will nearly double in the next few years. We're inclined to agree unless Exxon discovers that the Earth's core is made of crude. The other part of Ford's plan is to make its North American plants flexible enough to respond quickly to the ever-changing U.S. market, which is something Toyota, Honda and other import automakers assembling vehicles in this country have already done with great effects.

Gallery: 2008 Euro Ford Focus


[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford: We can make money on small cars!

Ford: We can make money on small cars! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford focus2010FordFocusfordford fiestaford focusFordFiestaFordFocussmall carsmall carsSmallCarSmallCarsWed, 13 Aug 2008 16:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1283546/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/08/13/ford-we-can-make-money-on-small-cars/1283546/article-detail.xml 1283546 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/08/01_frank_focus03_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/08/01_frank_focus03_opt.jpg <![CDATA[C-Max and Kuga may follow Euro Focus to the U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/19/c-max-and-kuga-may-follow-euro-focus-to-the-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/19/c-max-and-kuga-may-follow-euro-focus-to-the-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/19/c-max-and-kuga-may-follow-euro-focus-to-the-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Ford Kuga

Nary a month week day goes by that we're not told of the imminent importation of Ford's grass-is-greener Euro models. The Fiesta has been approved for U.S. consumption in 2010, and even though we've heard the Focus shtick before, it would appear that it's finally coming to fruition in late 2010 or early 2011. But Ford can't rely on just one product to justify sales of the next-generation C1 platform in the States (there's also the Volvo S40/C30 and Mazda3), so it's looking to bring two other Blue Oval-branded models to justify the expense.

Speaking with Automotive News, Ford's president of the Americas, Mark Fields, confirmed that the U.S. is slated to receive multiple C-segment vehicles that have already debuted in Europe and Japan. The first vehicle that could conceivably be brought to market is the recently released Kuga crossover, which shares the C1 platform and could be marketed as the next Escape or Mercury Mariner if we're lucky. The second model is the Ford C-Max, which is a more modern take on the traditional people mover, and would provide SUV refugees a compelling case to downsize their rides into anything but a minivan.

Fields didn't divulge when the European product onslaught would take place, but it's a safe bet that if either vehicle immigrates across the Atlantic, we'll be seeing them around the turn of the decade.

Gallery: Ford Kuga


Gallery: 2008 Ford C-MAX


[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

C-Max and Kuga may follow Euro Focus to the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 May 2008 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford focus2010FordFocus2011 ford focus2011FordFocusc1focusfordford c-maxford focusford kugaFordC-maxFordFocusFordKugakugax-maxMon, 19 May 2008 17:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1199574/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/05/19/c-max-and-kuga-may-follow-euro-focus-to-the-u-s/1199574/article-detail.xml 1199574 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/05/ford_kuga_1280_04_450-op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/05/ford_kuga_1280_04_450-op.jpg <![CDATA[Next Ford Focus will be a "global project", C1 platform coming Stateside]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/14/next-ford-focus-will-be-a-global-project-c1-platform-coming-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/14/next-ford-focus-will-be-a-global-project-c1-platform-coming-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/14/next-ford-focus-will-be-a-global-project-c1-platform-coming-s/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for a gallery of the 2008 Ford Focus ST.

During the SAE World Congress in Detroit, Ford's product chief, Derrick Kuzak, told attendees that the next generation Focus will benefit from the joint efforts of FoMoCo's engineers here in the U.S. and abroad. The redesigned Focus is set to debut sometime in 2010 or 2011 and will be built off the C1 platform that underpins the current Euro Focus. According to Kuzak, 87-percent of the parts will be sourced from Ford's global parts bin in a move to cut costs and globalize Ford's engineering process. While we've heard this numerous times before, this is the first time a definitive timeline has been outlined for the official entry of the superior C1 platform to the U.S. market. Here's hoping that Ford sees the light and we finally get ST and RS variants of the Focus here in the States.

Gallery: 2008 Ford Focus ST


Gallery: 2008 Euro Ford Focus


[Source: Autoweek]

Next Ford Focus will be a "global project", C1 platform coming Stateside originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford focus2010FordFocus2011 ford focus2011FordFocusfocusfordford focusFordFocusMon, 14 Apr 2008 16:05:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1166880/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/04/14/next-ford-focus-will-be-a-global-project-c1-platform-coming-s/1166880/article-detail.xml 1166880 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/04/ford-focus-2008-450-op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/04/ford-focus-2008-450-op.jpg <![CDATA[More Rendered Speculation: 2010 Ford Focus]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/12/more-rendered-speculation-2010-ford-focus/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/12/more-rendered-speculation-2010-ford-focus/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/12/more-rendered-speculation-2010-ford-focus/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Since the original was introduced, the Ford Focus - at least the American version - has gone downhill. The second-generation was as staid and boring as the first one was revolutionary, and the new third-generation model went off in the wrong direction, at least styling-wise. Meanwhile, the European versions have had us longing for inclusion. Fortunately, Ford announced that the next iteration would be a global car like the first, although speculation suggests that the US could get trunked versions while markets abroad go with the hatchback.

What you see above is said to be another rendering of what the next Focus five-door hatch could look like. As with the previous sketches we brought you a few days ago, this rendering draws heavily on the theme set forth by the Ford Verve concept. Though considerably less aggressive than the previous sketches, this could be closer to the mark, but could just as easily preview the successor for the European Galaxy-based S-Max sporty minivan.

[Source: The Hollywood Extra]

More Rendered Speculation: 2010 Ford Focus originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Feb 2008 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford focus2010FordFocus4th-gen focus4th-genFocusford focusFordFocusfourth-generation ford focusFourth-generationFordFocusrendered focusRenderedFocusrendering ford focusRenderingFordFocussketches ford focusSketchesFordFocusTue, 12 Feb 2008 10:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1112922/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/02/12/more-rendered-speculation-2010-ford-focus/1112922/article-detail.xml 1112922 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/focus-rendering-2010_b_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/focus-rendering-2010_b.jpg -1 2