Autoblog

J Mays: Split-wing grille won't look the same on every Lincoln

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Lincoln, Design/Style, Luxury

Ford design chief J Mays tells Automotive News that the controversial grille design that debuted on the 2013 Lincoln MKZ at the New York Auto Show won't necessarily be pasted onto the front of every Lincoln model. Mays means something quite specific, though: the perimeter of the grille and headlight form will remain, but the "grille texture" - the horizontal lines on the MKZ - could be reworked on other models.

Says Mays, the split-wing outline "is what makes a Lincoln." But with Lincoln commencing "a pretty long year journey," his comments to AN give his design team latitude while the brand seeks its new, younger consumers instead of being "trapped" into one grille style.

It's an interesting position to take - allowing the possibility of different faces - when the brand only has four models (we're not including the aging stepchild Navigator in this discussion) and is devoted to rebranding itself and making an impression among groups who haven't paid attention to it in some time - if ever. Of course, Mays isn't saying that other models won't have the MKZ grille, but we look forward to seeing how this plays out.

J Mays: Split-wing grille won't look the same on every Lincoln originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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J Mays talks about Ford's new EcoSport concept

Chris Shunk — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Videos, Crossover, Ford

We're not all that hopeful that the next generation Ford EcoSport will make its way to North America, but global markets ranging from Brazil to India should soon get their hands on a production version of this comely B-segment crossover.

It's too bad that the Fiesta-sized EcoSport isn't likely for our shores. We're liking the Kinetic look and wide stance, and we're guessing that the planned 1.0-liter EcoBoost mill should be both mildly entertaining and extremely efficient. And we're not the only ones that are impressed with the EcoSport.

As you might imagine, Ford chief designer J Mays sounds positively smitten with the Blue Oval's newest crossover creation, and he recently spent some time on camera to give an in-depth look at the concept's finer design points. Hit the jump to watch the video for yourself.

Continue reading J Mays talks about Ford's new EcoSport concept

J Mays talks about Ford's new EcoSport concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Ford Taurus design points the way for next Falcon, Mondeo

Zach Bowman — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:21:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Wagon, Ford, Australia, Design/Style

2013 Ford Taurus - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you've been wondering exactly what Ford has in mind for the next-generation Falcon, look no further than the recently revealed 2013 Taurus for a few clues. Ford design guru J Mays has officially made it clear that the look of the sedan will be transposed onto several of the automaker's other products, including models like the Mondeo and Falcon. The crew from Go Auto spoke to Mays at the New York International Auto Show last week where the designer said that the corporate look will still allow each model to flex its character.

Mays said that the design was heavily influenced by vehicles like the Audi A6 and that the new trapezoidal grille design on the 2013 Taurus will allow the vehicle's face to be easily applied to a range of products. Even so, don't expect to see exact carbon copies across the dealer lot. Mays made it clear that the design can be modified to deliver everything from an aggressive visage to a more subdued look.

Gallery: 2013 Ford Taurus

[Source: Go Auto]

2013 Ford Taurus design points the way for next Falcon, Mondeo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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J Mays: "Very cool Mustang" coming in 2014 [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Ford, Rumormill

Designer J Mays on Ford's future styling direction - click above to watch the video

The crew at Mustangs Daily has let the internets in on the first morsels of information about the 2014 Ford Mustang. As you may know, America's pony car will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in just three years, so there's been more than a little interest in what FoMoCo will come up with to celebrate the occasion. It turns out, the '14 car won't be an evolution of the current machine we all know and love. Instead, it will be something completely different. Ford is keeping exactly what that means to itself for the moment, other than to say that the next design will be a huge leap forward for the nameplate.

Here's hoping that doesn't mean the re-introduction of the Mustang II.

Fortunately, Ford seems pretty pleased with the way that the design is going so far, saying that we'll see a "pretty cool" Mustang crop up in 2013 as a 2014 model. Given how far the car has advanced over the past three years, we can't wait to see what Ford is up to with its muscle car. Listen to what else J Mays, Ford's vice president of global design, has to say about future styling of the Blue Oval's entire portfolio in the video after the jump.

[Source: Mustangs Daily]
photo copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

Continue reading J Mays: "Very cool Mustang" coming in 2014 [w/video]

J Mays: "Very cool Mustang" coming in 2014 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Life much easier for Ford designers in a post-PAG world

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 25 May 2010 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Ford, Design/Style

2010 Ford Start concept - click above for high-res image gallery

While Volvo's fate isn't perfectly clear yet, it appears that everyone might have been best served by Ford severing ties with the foreign branches of its Premier Automotive Group: Aston Martin, Volvo, Land Rover and Jaguar. True, Ford didn't get to fully benefit from the labor it put into the cars those brands are unveiling to accolades right now, but it spared itself the continued financial and brain drain on its core brands.

It was a drain that was also felt by the company's design arm, headed by J Mays. Referring to how thin The Blue Oval's design resources were stretched, Mays called the efforts "an inch deep and a mile wide." Part of it was that there were simply so many new models to keep track of, the other part being that so many of those cars had such vastly different requirements - an Aston couldn't look like a Lincoln, and even though an Aston could use Volvo's switchgear it shouldn't look anything like S80 or an XF.

Now the team can focus on wrapping the company's products and concept cars (like the Ford Start shown above) in the "Post-Kinetic" design language developed a few years ago. That, Mays says, is also easier because of Ford's rationalization of its platforms - something that also could not have been as completely without selling the company's PAG brands.

Gallery: Ford Start Concept

[Source: Ward's Auto]

Life much easier for Ford designers in a post-PAG world originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 May 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: Little Bigtime - Concept C takes Lincoln in a brand-new direction

Chris Paukert — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:05:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Budget, Green, Technology, Hatchback, Ford, Lincoln

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Lincoln Concept C

Play the word association game with an average American, and when the topic is "Lincoln," you're likely to hear words like "traditional," "big," and "limousine." Terms describing compact hatchbacks like the Concept C shown above simply won't be on the tips of anyone's tongues. So what gives? Has Dearborn finally looped it? Take a closer look, and what at first seems like a designer pet project reveals a good deal more forethought and finesse.

Yes, the Concept C is small. Said to be underpinned by the next-generation Ford Focus platform, this is a C-segment car, much shorter than any current Lincoln, and indeed, much shorter than any Lincoln we can recall. But how about that width? Emphasized by its sizable fenders and the strong shoulder-line in the doors (said to be inspired by the saddle tanks on go karts), the Concept C may be as long as a Focus, but it's roughly as wide as a MKZ sedan. The extra width and the upright greenhouse (there's almost no tumblehome at all) mean that the C can accommodate two rows of three full-sized adults in surprising comfort. The bustle back shape reminds of a number of Gallic automobiles, including the previous Renault Megane, but rather amazingly, the formal roofline, twin wing grilles and full-width rear light bar that are Lincoln hallmarks don't look out of place. Click on the gallery below or follow the jump to read more about the Concept C and check out the official press releases.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Lincoln C Concept Live

Gallery: Lincoln Concept C

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Little Bigtime - Concept C takes Lincoln in a brand-new direction

Detroit 2009: Little Bigtime - Concept C takes Lincoln in a brand-new direction originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mays: Ford's single global design language will debut in six years

John Neff — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:05:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Ford

It's been no secret that part of Ford's turnaround plan (or we calling it Bold Moves anymore?) is to reunite its North American and European operations with more platform sharing and a common design language. With product life cycles being as long as they are in this industry, none of that will happen overnight. In fact, J Mays, Ford's group vice president of design and chief creative officer, told Automotive News that a single uniting global design language for both sides of the pond will be ready in about six years.

The main stumbling block is that Ford vehicles in North American and those sold in Europe have successfully established their own recognizable and well-liked design themes. It's called "Kinetic design" in Europe where the best example can be found in the new Mondeo, and "Bold American" in the U.S. where it manifests itself in the form of the three-bar chrome grille.

We've heard from inside sources that there's also a clash of personalities involved here between Ford of Europe's chief designer, Martin Smith, and Peter Horbury who heads up design for Ford in the U.S. Establishing a single visual language for Fords sold on both sides of the pond hinges on these two working together, which we've heard is progressing albeit slowly. Mays tells AN, "I'm so pleased with the professional approach that Peter Horbury and Martin [Smith] have taken on driving us to the right answer," but we assume he has to say that, so take it with a grain of salt.

Now that Aston Martin is gone and Jaguar and Land Rover are on their way out, Mays has time once again to delve deeper into the designs of each brand over which he has dominion. Hopefully the hands on approach will keep Martin and Horbury motivated with the end result being some fantastic Ford designs in a half dozen years.

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

Mays: Ford's single global design language will debut in six years originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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J Mays set to overhaul Ford's global design

Dan Roth — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 08:56:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Etc., Ford

Rather than have disparate design wings flung across the globe, all speaking in a different tongue, Ford's tasking J Mays with teaching everyone the design equivalent of Esperanto. The new, unified, global design language will replace the "Kinetic Design" that Ford of Europe employs, as well as superseding the "Bold American" motif we get here in the United States. We're not likely to see the Edge pick up any Mondeo themes any time soon, but Mays is looking forward about six years to see the convergence come to fruition on a new generation of vehicles.

Ford is looking inward, trying to divest some of the PAG largesse while simultaneously reinvigorating the core Ford brand. New, cohesive, and most of all exciting design is key to transforming Ford, and Mays will serve as overlord from his London base of operations. While you'd think that something as important as global design for such a huge automaker would be cloistered in the bowels Dearborn, Mays says that Alan Mulally is comfortable with him working remote. We think it will be good to have the design chief living abroad, able to take in a wider sampling of automotive fashion than what we can find here in the US. Besides, we're sure there's an XK in the Mays garage, ready to rip on down to Carnaby Street to study fashionistas in their natural habitat.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

J Mays set to overhaul Ford's global design originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Nov 2007 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why Ford's Flex dropped the sliding doors

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 16:13:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Minivan/Van, Crossover, Ford

One of the criteria that doesn't make Ford's new Flex a minivan is its lack of sliding rear doors. Instead, the production version of the Flex gets traditional swing doors, unlike its concept inspiration, the Fairlane, which allowed rear passengers to enter via a set of suicide doors.

The move to nix the sliding doors wasn't so much for aesthetics as it was an opportunity to reduce costs. According to J Mays, the extra cash saved by using a traditional hinge setup allowed the automaker to invest in higher-grade leather, more luxurious interior materials, the glass roof, an 8-inch DVD and even an optional fridge.

While all those things aren't present just because of door selection, they allow the Flex to offer more features not traditionally associated with the benign people movers. So be sure to thank both Mays and Ford's beancounters when you're able to pacify the kiddies with a cold drink and Shrek on DVD.

[Source: Autoweek]

Why Ford's Flex dropped the sliding doors originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Apr 2007 16:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford announces corporate realignment

John Neff — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Ford

Not long after we told you about the likely promotion of Derrick Kuzak to the role of global Car Czar, President and CEO of Ford Alan Mulally officially announced his corporate realignment plan. At the top of the pyramid is, of course, Mulally himself. Reporting to him are the leaders of Ford's three largest units: Mark Fields, Ford of the Americas; Lewis Booth, Ford of Europe and the Premier Auto Group (PAG); and John Parker, Ford of Asia Pacific, Africa and Mazda. Supporting this team will be the aforementioned Derrick Kuzak, whose office door now reads Global Product Development Leader (a.k.a. Car Czar). J Mays is still the leader of Ford's design teams and will support Kuzak.

The whole point of defining each executive's role in the company and creating clear hierarchies is so that Ford can begin acting like one company instead of five separate ones, each with their own interests. The biggest change here is that Fields, Booth and Parker will now all be reporting directly to Mulally. In the past, both Booth and Parker would report to Mark Schulz, the company's Executive VP of International Operations. Schulz, however, announced his retirement earlier this month, which gave management a perfect opportunity to cut out a middle man position and improve communication between various rungs of the corporate ladder.

Check out Ford's full press release on this realignment after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford announces corporate realignment

Ford announces corporate realignment originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Dec 2006 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford designer says Fairlane will look almost identical to concept

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 08:48:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Crossover, Ford

In an interview with Ward's Auto, Ford's chief creative officer (CCO?) and VP of design, J Mays explains that the similarities between the concept and the production versions of the Fairlane are profound. So much so, that some employees at FoMoCo can't tell the difference between the two.

The Fairlane seeks to bring an air of luxurious practicality to the people mover segment and considering the amount of growth Ford sees in the CUV segment, hopefully it fill the niche comprised of ex-SUVers and minivan refugees.

As we've already reported, Fairlane badging will not make it to production, instead, a yet-to-be-disclosed name will likely be announced in the next few months. Ford's newer crossover-van thingy will be built at the automaker's plant in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, along with a rebadged Lincoln version.

[Source: Byron Pope/Ward's Auto]

Ford designer says Fairlane will look almost identical to concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Nov 2006 08:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford and AutoWeek drive "Cars" in Detroit to fight diabetes

Joel Arellano — Sun, 21 May 2006 16:49:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Ford

Ford Motor Company and news source AutoWeek are sponsoring an advanced screening of the upcoming Disney and Pixar movie, Cars. The charity event, which will be held in Detroit, Michigan on June 4, will consist of two private viewings before the movie's public release on June 9. Tickets are $150 each with the proceeds donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Says J Mays, Ford vice president of design, "It's only fitting that Ford helps bring this movie classic home to the community that helped put the world on wheels."

Information on how to purchase the tickets can be found at the link.

Related: CARS character comes alive
Getting excited for Pixar's 'Cars'

[Source: Ford via Auto Spectator]

Ford and AutoWeek drive "Cars" in Detroit to fight diabetes originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 May 2006 16:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coachbuilder tour de force: the Antas GT

Stuart Waterman — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 13:34:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance

On display this week at the Top Marques auto show in Monaco is this extravagant one-off by Italian coachbuilders Walter Faralli (right, above) & Luca Mazzanti (left). Although pictures of the car are all over the net this week, it actually debuted in September 2005 at the Gran Premio Automobilistico di Roma.

The Antas GT is at the opposite end of the car-building spectrum from the Caparo T1, also on display in Monaco. While the T1 is a pure expression of form following function, the Antas is rolling sculpture, with its roadgoing performance secondary to the expression of historic design themes of the 1930's and 1950's. With a nod to its Italian roots, the Antas gets its name from the ancient Etruscan word for "Eagle."

Even the engine bay plays a part, scorning fuel injection for the crowning touch of the chrome intake trumpets of four two-barrel Weber carbs - the classic performance statement of the '50s and '60s brought back to life.

The Antas wasn't "designed" in the way that Chris Bangle or J Mays probably thinks of design, it was drawn. In the words of Faralli & Mazzanti, "Nothing was developed by computer; everything came from the heart, from the imagination and the capable hands of experts."

Whether or not you think the Antas is a beautiful car, it's nice to know that the automotive world still has a place for artists like Faralli & Mazzanti. More pictures after the jump, and check out the extensive galleries at the F&M website, here.

[Source: Progettofem.it]

Continue reading Coachbuilder tour de force: the Antas GT

Coachbuilder tour de force: the Antas GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Apr 2006 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit's involvement in CARS

John Neff — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Ford, GM, Porsche

As anyone who reads Autoblog is aware by now, we're pretty jazzed about Pixar's upcoming June 9th release of CARS, which is shaping up to be a celebration of the auto on celluloid. A pair of recent Detroit News articles reveals just how large a part the domestic duo of Ford and GM has played in the movie's making, in addition to our already reported on involvement of Porsche.

The film's director, John Lasseter, has been a good friend of Ford's design diva J Mays since 2000. The pair visited SEMA and attended the Pebble Beach Concours de Elegance together. Mays even visited Pixar's studios in Emeryville, CA on more than one occasion to check on the film's progress. The most prominent Ford in CARS ended up being a 1949 Mercury Police Cruiser - the town's sheriff (pictured above).

Lasseter also visited General Motors and spent time with some of the General's designers. The director was one of the very first people to view the redesigned C6 Corvette, in fact. CARS features a few cars from GM including a '59 Impala lowrider named Ramone, a '75 Cadillac Coupe de Ville named Tex and an unnamed green HUMMER.

J Mays and the Blue Oval's current head of things that go fast, Hau Thai-Tang, were among a group of 700 who viewed an early screening of the movie at Pixar's studios last weekend.

[Source: Detroit News]

Detroit's involvement in CARS originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Apr 2006 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spyshot: 2008 Ford Five Hundred bagged!

Chris Paukert — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Trends, Sedan, Ford

As Edmunds Inside Line correctly points out, Ford looks to be readying more facelifts for next year than a Los Angeles plastic surgeon. The latest to get the Norelco flat-bar grille treatment would appear to be the 2008 Five Hundred sedan, whose value and interior volumes have come in for praise, but whose milquetoast styling and underwhelming drivetrain and handling have been derided.

The Blue Oval hopes to rectify both issues by early next year, so we're eager to see how they manage.

[Source: Edmunds Inside Line]

(Great tip, Brian!)

Spyshot: 2008 Ford Five Hundred bagged! originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Apr 2006 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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