Autoblog

SEMA 2009: The rest of the best at the Ford display

Jonny Lieberman — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:39:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Ford

The rest of the Ford display - Click above for high-res image gallery

SEMA is an interesting show. We go in knowing full well that 60-75% of the cars we'll be walking past and/or covering are just trash. Sorry if this bombshell offends anyone, but your Chrysler 300C doesn't need 26-inch hoops, nor seventy gallons of sparkle orange paint. Or diamonds. But, as Doyle Brunson might say if he covered cars instead of being the Godfather of Texas Hold 'Em, that's SEMA.

We mention this in the "other Fords" post because some of these custom FoMoCos look fantastic, or at least pretty good. But 60-75% of them, well, we're not entirely sold. Let's start with the good. Despite the two-tone paint job, we're pretty darn smitten with the Fusion T4 by MRT above. More cars need big old intercoolers taking up the whole lower fascia. And while they might be an inch (or three) too big, the wheels are nice. And that white Lincoln MKS? Nice.

But then you got the other cars contained in this here gallery, and... um.... we like the Lincoln MKT, because well, we just like MKTs. But we're not sold on the Focus upgrades, especially since Ford saw fit to bring a Euro Focus RS to the show. Game, set, outmatched. And don't even get us started on the Edge they've cooked up here. Specifically, the wing on the back. No really - see for yourself.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: The rest of the Ford display

SEMA 2009: The rest of the best at the Ford display originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford and Canadian Auto Workers reportedly reach a deal

Dan Roth — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:09:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, UAW/Unions, Canada

Ford Motor Company and the leadership of the Canadian Auto Workers union have reached a tentative agreement after a marathon four-day wrap-up to negotiations. Union membership needs to approve the deal, which will guarantee a Great White North presence for Ford until at least 2012. Voting is underway this weekend, and if approved, the CAW will be responsible for building 10 percent of Ford's North American production, down from the current 13 percent, which the union had been trying to hold on to.

Workers did agree to time off reductions, and pledged that new employees will have to pay into their pensions. Ford's given its word that the company will build as many vehicles in Canada as it sells there, and the union deemed the pledge good enough to grant GM- and Chrysler-style concessions to Ford.

The Panther platform has been given its last rites; the St. Thomas Assembly plant is the only Ford location currently building the body-on-frame biggies, and that plant will close in September 2011. The 1,600 people in Ontario who build Town Cars and Grand Marquis are understandably unhappy about word that Ford intends to shutter the plant, but the Panther has cheated death more than once. This time, it may stick.

Better news for CAW members is that Ford's Oakville assembly complex, also in Ontario, has the go-ahead to add a third shift when needed. Ford also says it will manufacture a new vehicle at Oakville, which currently builds the Edge, Flex, MKX, and MKT crossovers, but that will likely come after the current labor agreement expires.

[Source: CBC News, Photo: Ford/CC]

Ford and Canadian Auto Workers reportedly reach a deal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Labor unrest in India to cause Ford to idle key NA crossover plant

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:47:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Ford, Lincoln, India

Rico Auto Industries in India makes transmission parts for Ford's Flex and Edge, along with its upscale Lincoln MKT and MKX twins. Unfortunately for the Blue Oval, Automotive News is reporting that Rico's operations are in flux because of persistent troubles between labor and management. A few weeks ago, some of the supplier's workers went on strike after members were suspended and fired by management. On October 18, the striking workers marched to the factory and got involved in an altercation with "unidentified men" supposedly "acting at the behest of Rico Auto's management." During the brawl, a 26-year-old worker was killed.

In the meantime, Ford reportedly hasn't got the parts it needs to build the crossovers it makes at its Oakville, Ontario plant and will be forced to idle the key facility next week. Ford is watching the situation in India closely - if production isn't restored soon, the lack of parts could impact other plants in addition to Ontario and its 3,000 workers.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd. | Image: Simon Hayter/Getty]

REPORT: Labor unrest in India to cause Ford to idle key NA crossover plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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STUDY: Ford owns brand loyalty in 2009; Scorned Saturn, Pontiac buyers will look outside of GM

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:55:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Pontiac, Saturn, Toyota

Ford buyers appear to love their cars more than customers of any other automotive brand, returning back to the American automaker when it comes time to purchase their next vehicle. According to a study by Experian Automotive, six of the top 10 vehicles for customer brand loyalty wear badges from the Blue Oval. That includes the Ford Fusion (62.4 percent), Ford Edge (57.9 percent), Ford Five Hundred/Taurus (56 percent), Ford Freestyle (51.9 percent), Ford Escape (49.4 percent) and the Ford Focus (47.57 percent).

Other vehicles making up the top 10 include the Toyota Prius (52 percent), Chevy Impala (51.7 percent), Toyota Camry (47.8 percent) and Toyota Corolla (47.56 percent). This brings up an interesting question: With the closing of automotive brands like Saturn and Pontiac, where are those buyers to turn for their next automotive purchase?

Apparently, not back to General Motors. According to Experian, Pontiac owners are most likely to look to the Ford lineup for their next car or truck and Saturn shoppers will switch to Toyota or Honda - not particularly surprising given that Saturn was meant to compete with import brands. Experian predicts that GM's overall market share will fall from 20 percent to about 17.5 percent, with most of the slack being picked up by Ford, Honda and Toyota.

[Source: Experian Automotive, USA Today]

Continue reading STUDY: Ford owns brand loyalty in 2009; Scorned Saturn, Pontiac buyers will look outside of GM

STUDY: Ford owns brand loyalty in 2009; Scorned Saturn, Pontiac buyers will look outside of GM originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Steeda gets all tweaky with Ford's Edge

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Crossover, Ford

If you need more edge - and speed - for your Ford Edge, Steeda could have the package for you. Called the Steeda Edge Sport, it is claimed to be "the perfect answer to those that want to have it all." And by "all," the tuner apparently means an eight-piece body kit, brushed-look interior trim and cross-stitching on custom leather, smoked head- and taillight trim, and 22-inch polished aluminum wheels.

Under those double-dubs lurk Brembo's six-piston Big Brake kit, and under the rear bumper you'll find a Magnaflow cat-back exhaust and a Steeda custom trailer hitch cover. Steeda has yet to release any power figures, but there figures to be a bump of some sort considering that under the hood resides a cold-air intake and cool-tube, a new throttle-body spacer, and an ECU tune. You can read the rest of the details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Steeda Edge Sport

[Source: Steeda]

Continue reading Steeda gets all tweaky with Ford's Edge

Steeda gets all tweaky with Ford's Edge originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2009 Ford Edge Sport offers big wheels, key improvements

Dan Roth — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Crossover, Ford, Reviews

2009 Ford Edge Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

Twenty-two inch wheels. A chocolate bar shy of two feet, the 2009 Ford Edge Sport has alloys the size of manhole covers. Despite being made of aluminum, these wheels pull the eyes of onlookers magnetically. The big rollers are not everyone's cup of tea, but they're the defining feature of the Edge Sport - even the standard Sport model kicks it with 20s. Ford adds even more visual slickness to the Edge Sport with smoked lenses for the head- and tail-lamps that go along with an uncommonly tasteful bodykit. We spent a week to-ing and fro-ing with an Edge Sport just to see if those rollers crushed our kidneys into renal failure, or if this crossover's aggressive looks are matched to a chassis that you can get along with every day. Click on the jump to find out.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Ford Edge Sport

Continue reading Review: 2009 Ford Edge Sport offers big wheels, key improvements

Review: 2009 Ford Edge Sport offers big wheels, key improvements originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Ford stacks the ballot with concepts for election day

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Tuners, Coupe, Hybrid, Sedan, Wagon, Crossover, Ford, Celebrities

Click above for massive gallery of Fords from SEMA

What recession? Perhaps anticipating the euphoria that will follow the end to the seemingly decades-long Presidential race today, Ford decided to throw a huge tuner party at SEMA this year, and they invited ALL of their friends. The Ford booth always houses a bunch of tuned blue ovals, but they generally tend to be grouped around a central vehicle. Last year it was the Mustang. And the year before. And probably the year before that, too. But this year they gave the ol' spit shine to virtually every model in the lineup. Ford even threw in a Lincoln or two for good measure (above).

In the gallery below you'll see the Lincoln MKS and MKX, as well as Ford Focus Coupe, Escape, Escape Hybrid, Transit Connect, and Edge. Tuners include 3dCarbon, Custom Creations, RKSport, Stout Performance, Barber Driving Experience, FSWerks, Street Concepts, EcoTrek, HPA Motorsports, H&R, and Steeda. For more info on each one, check out the press release after the jump. There are actually quite a few interesting concepts in the bunch.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Ford Booth

Continue reading SEMA 2008: Ford stacks the ballot with concepts for election day

SEMA 2008: Ford stacks the ballot with concepts for election day originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford debuts Blind Spot Mirror on '09 Edge

Chris Shunk — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Crossover, Ford

Click above for high-res gallery of 2009 Ford Edge

The blind spot has been a consistent safety issue for automobiles since before the invention of the C-pillar. Some automakers have recently tackled the problem with complicated warning systems that beep when your blind spot is about to cause an accident. Ford is taking a different but no less effective low-tech route with the introduction of its Blind Spot Mirror on the 2009 Edge. The technology behind the Blind Spot Mirror is simple; it's little more than a secondary convex mirror in the top right corner of the traditional side mirror that gives a clear view of what before was only visible by craning your neck left and right. We've seen this type of tech used before on aftermarket mirrors for towing applications, but it makes just as much sense on an unencumbered passenger vehicle.

Ford came up with the mirror in response to its own customer research that showed drivers were 76% more confident behind the wheel when using the mirror. The overwhelmingly positive feedback has led the Blue Oval to introduce the Blind Spot Mirror across its lineup as quickly as possible, starting with the 2009 Edge. Check out Ford's official presser after the jump and view the '09 Edge in our gallery below.

Gallery: 2009 Ford Edge with Blind Spot Mirror

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford debuts Blind Spot Mirror on '09 Edge

Ford debuts Blind Spot Mirror on '09 Edge originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford cancels planned third shift for crossovers at Oakville plant

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:21:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Ford, Canada

Click above high-res gallery of the 2009 Ford Flex

Ford has been banking on strong sales of its crossover vehicles to help counter the sinking ship that is its line of SUVs. While the new Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX, along with the brand new Ford Flex and revised Escape, have sold well enough to post a meager 2.8-percent gain in overall sales so far this year, that number apparently isn't high enough to warrant a third shift at Ford's Oakville, Ontario plant that the automaker was hoping would be necessary. Unfortunately, this shift cancelation means that 350 workers who had planned on showing up for their first day next Monday are now left jobless.

While there are certainly buyers out there who require the capability to haul around their entire families and their associated gear, all large passenger vehicles -- crossovers like the new Flex included -- face an uphill battle now to overcome current market conditions, as this latest announcement once again proves.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Ford Flex

[Source: Courier-Journal]

Ford cancels planned third shift for crossovers at Oakville plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago 2008: Ford Edge Sport saunters into Chi-town

Dan Roth — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:38:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Crossover, Ford

click above for more high-res live shots of the Ford Edge Sport

What is in a name? Would it be too linear a thought process to expect that a vehicle with a "sport" designation would be, you know, sporty? Ford officially rolled out the Edge Sport at the Chicago Auto Show, and while the moniker might be dubious, it is at least a nicely done factory tuner. The idea behind the Edge Sport is to create a tuner package with factory-backed quality levels. Check out the live shots and you'll see that the already well-trimmed interior gets an extra level of attention, and the bodykit applied to the outside is tasteful. New paint colors are Sport-exclusive, as are smoked lenses on the lights. The biggest feature that Ford is touting are the monstrous wheels wrapped in low-profile rubber. The standard 20-inchers are enough to give the brake rotors an inferiority complex as they appear hardly larger than the wheel hubs. If you need an even harsher ride and more clearance around those anti-massive brakes, you can upgrade to 22s. Wheel size to brake rotor diameter shenanigans aside, we like the Edge Sport. We'd find it sporty if it came with the EcoBoost powertrain, but as it stands, it's more like the Edge Spiffy.

Gallery: 2009 Ford Edge Sport

Chicago 2008: Ford Edge Sport saunters into Chi-town originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Ford Edge SEL AWD

Alex Nunez — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 12:26:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Crossover, Ford

The advent of the crossover is fully upon us, so much so that no one even snickers at the name anymore. After all, SUVs have become persona non grata to many buyers thanks to their thirsty nature in a world where "cheap gas" is a phrase that seems quaint. That said, people still like the other stuff their trucks offered, like a high riding position, all-wheel-drive, room for kids and pets, plus the capacity to haul everything from groceries to bags of mulch. Of course, minivans offered this level of utility already, but some people's aversion to them (due to perceived lameness and other reasons) has brought us to where we stand today. The crossover will do battle with the van to become the new king of the family cars, and Ford has stepped right up to the plate with a solid player in the Edge.

Gallery: Autoblog Garage: 2007 Ford Edge SEL AWD

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Ford Edge SEL AWD

In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Ford Edge SEL AWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Jun 2007 12:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford airing two new Edge commercials tonight directed by David Mamet

John Neff — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Ford

Ford has commissioned writer and director David Mamet to produce two new commercials for the Edge CUV that will make their TV debut during tonight's episode of American Idol Their real debut is right here, however, where we've included both commercials for your viewing enjoyment.

Mamet is best known for the screenplays he's written, which include Ronin, The Edge, Glengarry Glen Ross, and Wag the Dog, among many others. He's also written and directed many episodes on TV for shows like "The Unit" and "The Shield". His two spots for the Edge highlight how Ford's CUV stack up against more expensive competition, specifically the BMW X5 and Lexus RS350. The commercials will inform viewers that it's faster than the former and quieter than the latter. We find the characters in the commercials a bit annoying, although it's clear their witty dialogue is what we're supposed to be paying attention to.

Check out the second commercial after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford airing two new Edge commercials tonight directed by David Mamet

Ford airing two new Edge commercials tonight directed by David Mamet originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Apr 2007 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alan Mulally, super hero: Ford CEO saves President Bush's life

Chris Shunk — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 08:07:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Green, Ford

Allan Mulally has already lived a very successful life, having helped save American icon Boeing, then taking over the reigns as Ford Motor Company's Chief Executive Officer. Now he has added 'the guy that saved President Bush' to the list. Mr. Mulally used his media audience at the New York Auto Show to tell a pretty great story about his recent trip to the White House.

Ford Motor wanted to give President Bush a first-hand look at their hydrogen electric plug-in hybrid, so the company arranged to have a demonstration of the uber-tech Ford Edge right from the White House lawn. When walking with the President towards the vehicle, Mulally noticed that the extension cord was placed to the rear of the car, where the Hydrogen fuel tank resides, instead of the side of the car. As Mulally saw the President approach the rear of the car, he decided that he should physically grab the president and "make sure he plugged into the electricity, not into the hydrogen."

We obviously don't know for sure whether or not the leader of the free world would have stuck an electrified cord into the Edge's Darwin-hole, but we do think it was a damn good idea Mulally stepped in to make sure Mr. Bush did the right thing. We don't think Ford's green initiative would have been able to recover if the company's best and brightest technology fried the President. Then again, given the approval numbers of Mr. Bush... we kid, we kid.

Thanks for the tip Chris!

[Source: Detroit News via Think Progress]

Alan Mulally, super hero: Ford CEO saves President Bush's life originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Apr 2007 08:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why did Mazda axe the MPV with this in the wings?

John Neff — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 18:18:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Crossover, Mazda

Despite the protestation of General Motors and Ford, we believed the Chrysler Group's take on the minivan market's current state given at the Detroit Auto Show. According to the boys and girls from Auburn Hills, the market for Soccer Mom-mobiles will likely hold steady, and they hope to enjoy an even larger piece of the pie with their new Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country. But many automakers are picking up their ball and leaving the minivan market, and this interview with Robert Davis, Mazda North America's senior VP lays out the reasons why most automakers aren't willing to fight Chrysler in the segment.

Davis cites the fact that domestic automakers market minivans in such a way that it puts downward pressure on prices, which in turn hurts resale value and decreases the amount of money they can make for a company. CUVs like the CX-9, however, can command premium prices, retain their resale value better and are able to be sold with fewer incentives. Despite the fact that a new Mazda MPV was being developed for the Japanese domestic market (see the new model above, which happens to look great), Mazda officials decided against engineering a version for the U.S. market in favor of the CX-9, which is largely built using components shared with the Ford Edge CUV. The fact that Davis reveals the Edge and CX-9 have so much in common yet look nothing alike gives us hope that Ford can indeed produce two cars using the same mechanicals that aren't badge-engineered versions of each other.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Why did Mazda axe the MPV with this in the wings? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Feb 2007 18:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bad motor mount halts sale of Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 12:27:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, GM

While we applaud carmakers that can streamline the design and production process to bring new vehicles to market quicker, we don't like thinking that they're skimping on the important stuff in the process. First Ford made all kinds of hoopla over their interesting and capable Edge (and it's Lincoln doppelganger, the MKX) only to have it delayed by production line "hiccups." That model is seen as being so important to Ford's future that we lauded the company for taking its time to fix the problems before it released the product. Fortunately production resumed relatively quickly and the CUVs have been leaving the plant at a healthy clip.

Now we learn that GM is going through a similar "hiccup" with their new crossovers, the Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia. Unfortunately, this problem has presented itself after some of the vehicles have already been delivered to dealers, who have been instructed to hold the CUVs on lots until a fix can be applied.

The problem has been traced to a situation where water freezes atop one of the engine mounts, which can result in NVH issues. With only around 550 of the crossovers in dealer lots dealerships, it's not a huge problem; but it's these little things that can weigh heavily on consumers' minds. Drilling a few drainage holes will alleviate the water pooling and take care of the problem. The fix can be made right at the dealer according to the report. Sales should resume in a matter of days.

[Source: Automotive News, sub req]

Bad motor mount halts sale of Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Dec 2006 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford expects U.S. shift to smaller cars to last for years

Stuart Waterman — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 06:53:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, Ford

Ford Motor has seen the future, and it's dominated by crossovers and small cars, according to the company's sales analyst George Pipas. Crossover sales are expected to hit 2.4 million units this year, and pass the 3 million mark by 2010.

Pipas expects crossovers and small cars to dominate the market by the end of the decade, with crossovers, a big hit with baby boomers, likely to grab a narrow lead.

While Ford is well-positioned in the crossover market with its new Edge, its small car situation is pretty grim, with the venerable Focus carrying the flag while the company thrashes to come up with a competitive new subcompact model, not expected to hit the U.S. market until at least 2009.

[Source: Reuters]

Ford expects U.S. shift to smaller cars to last for years originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Oct 2006 06:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Bold Moves - Episode 13: Close to the Edge

John Neff — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 10:25:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Videos, Crossover, Ford

The Ford Bold Moves web-based documentary reaches lucky number 13 today and focuses it's power over audio and video on the upcoming Ford Edge. "This launch is absolutely crucial," says Mark Fields in the episode, and we couldn't agree with him more. I say as much in an accompanying piece on the website you can read right here. With the Accelerated Way Forward plan now on the table, the stakes are even greater for a good launch of the Edge. By the time Mark Fields stands before us at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show in January we'll find out whether or not Ford's been successful and if the Edge is resonating with consumers. For Ford's sake, we wish 'em luck.

[Source: Ford Bold Moves]

Ford Bold Moves - Episode 13: Close to the Edge originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Sep 2006 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge readies crossover to compete with Edge, Highlander

Stuart Waterman — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Chrysler, Daimler, Dodge

In case you missed the memo, crossovers are officially the new black. Or at least, the new SUV. The latest automaker to jump on the bandwagon is Dodge, which will launch a crossover, based on the new Chrysler Sebring platform, in early 2008, following the debut of the Sebring's twin, the Dodge Avenger, in late 2007.

The new model initially will be buit in Mexico, with later expansion to DaimlerChrysler's Chinese operations, possibly indicating global aspirations for the new vehicle. Rumors have the Dodge crossover followed by a Chrysler version in the 2010 timeframe. Baby Aspen anyone?

Sources cited by Automotive News expect the Dodge crossover/Dodge Avenger link to be similar to the relationship between the Ford Edge and its sedan platform, the Fusion.

[Source: Automotive News]

Dodge readies crossover to compete with Edge, Highlander originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Jul 2006 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford to take all-wheel drive lead from Subaru?

Erin Mays — Mon, 22 May 2006 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, SUV, Crossover, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Subaru

Watch out Fuji Heavy, Ford Motor Company is out to nab your claim to fame. The Detroit Free Press states that the automaker working its way toward becoming the leading producer of all-wheel-drive (AWD) cars and crossovers in the North American market. Ford says that it will offer AWD variants of the Lincoln MKZ, Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX, bringing its total AWD offerings to 22 vehicles and sales to 500,000 by next year.

The trick, Ford thinks, is to offer up models in the middle range of the market -- vehicles a little above entry-level, but not reaching the high cost of luxury vehicles such as BMW and Audi's AWD offerings.

[Source: The Detroit Free Press; Ford Motor Company]

Ford to take all-wheel drive lead from Subaru? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 May 2006 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Edge and Fusion to get SVT treatment?

Erin Mays — Mon, 22 May 2006 06:54:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Sedan, Crossover

Ford spokespeople let it slip that the company is considering SVT variants of its new Edge crossover and Fusion sedan (pictured). The move would support Mark Field's statements last month that SVT is alive and well, and not on its deathbed as previously rumored. As it stands, the Mustang and an unidentified truck will get SVT upgrades, and the consolidation of SVT and Ford Racing, as well as the recent successes of the latter, will no doubt build excitement for the new vehicles.

[Source: Ward's AutoWorld]

(Thanks to Omar for the tip)

Ford Edge and Fusion to get SVT treatment? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 May 2006 06:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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