Autoblog

Ford watching Europe's reaction to Mustang in new ads

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Ford, UK

Ford doesn't sell its Mustang in Europe, but that hasn't stopped fans from the UK to Poland from figuring out ways to procure one. The Mustang is playing a part in Ford's "Go Further" ad campaign - which showcases the global portfolio and is aimed at changing perceptions by being discreet with Ford branding - and that gets air time in Europe.

As for featuring a car that Europeans can't buy in its commercials, the company told Autocar, "We are very proud of all these products and are interested to see what European consumers, who may not be familiar with these models, think of them." Ford says it's watching European reaction to "Go Further" and will "carefully examine" what the campaign might highlight as a profitable opportunity.

Ultimately, that's a bit of non-promissory boilerplate that stands for, "We've got a guy on it, we'll let you know if he comes up with anything," but at least it's more official recognition of the Mustang's European favor. Ford's embrace of social media is well established, so if Europeans want the Mustang to show up in Ford delaers over there, now could be the time to beat the Facebook drums even louder.

Ford watching Europe's reaction to Mustang in new ads originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 May 2012 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ford becomes top-selling brand in Europe

Chris Shunk — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:38:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Europe, Hatchback, Ford

2010 Ford Fiesta (Euro Spec) - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has been making some real progress here in North America, with sales up 37 percent in the first quarter. That's good news to be sure, and new reports indicate that Blue Oval may be experiencing as much success across The Pond. The Detroit Free Press reports that Ford is now the number-one selling brand in the ultra-competitive Europe market after March sales in the top 19 Euro countries outpaced the industry with a 11.5 percent sales gain. Ford's sales boost during March boosted the company's overall market share to 10.4 percent, up .4 percent versus the year ago period.

The big reason for Ford's sales dominance in Europe is the new Fiesta. The Fiesta accounted for 68,000 of the company's 192,500 sales for the month, up 28.6 percent versus last March. The Fiesta appears to be picking up sales momentum in Europe, even after finishing 2009 as the second highest-selling vehicle in Europe behind the Volkswagen Golf. The Fiesta, which was launched late in 2008 in Europe, arrives in U.S. dealerships this summer.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Fiesta (Euro-Spec)

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Report: Ford becomes top-selling brand in Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Fiesta winning hearts and minds - and wallets - in Europe

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:27:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Ford, Earnings/Financials

2009 Ford Fiesta - Click above for a high-res gallery

The Ford Fiesta has already won us over -- twice - and we can't even buy the car yet. But European buyers are nabbing so many Fiestas that the Blue Oval is now enjoying a 10% market share in Europe based on the strength of the compact's sales alongside the Focus and Transit. It's the first time that Ford has had a double-digit European market share since September 2001, and it keeps Ford solidly in the number two spot overall behind Volkswagen.

In all but three of Europe's 19 markets, Ford says it has improved its showing. Already this year, there have been 108,000 Fiestas sold, with 52,800 of those coming in March alone. The market share triumph is even sweeter seeing that overall industry sales took a double-digit fall, but Ford is getting more of what's left. There was no cheating with fleet sales, either: retail sales were up 13% year-on-year. Only France, Switzerland, and Italy showed declines. Appreciate the tip, Preston.

Gallery: Ford Fiesta in NYC

[Source: Ford]

Ford Fiesta winning hearts and minds - and wallets - in Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford throws support behind aid for GM Europe

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:03:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, Ford, GM, Earnings/Financials, Opel, Vauxhall

Despite the fact that Ford has yet to request any special funding from either the federal governments in the United States or abroad, the automaker has repeatedly said that it supports its competitors as they seek financial aid. According to Ford of Europe CEO John Fleming, "We have no objections to competitors asking governments for support in these very difficult times."

While some might think that Ford would stand to benefit if its largest competitor went the way of the Dodo, in reality, it's much more complicated than that. Says Fleming, "I would rather take sales from competitors by having better products rather than them going out of business." Plus, there's the sticky supplier situation - the loss of an automaker or two could have a drastic impact on the already weak auto supplier industry.

In lieu of propping up individual automakers on a country-by-country basis, Fleming suggests that the European Union as a whole should introduce its own aid package that would affect all automakers equally.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Ford throws support behind aid for GM Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: Ford Focus RS gets its blue on

John Neff — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Ford

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Ford Focus RS

The most popular car color in Europe may be Black, but the new Focus RS isn't one for blending in a crowd. Until now we've only seen images of the car in a bright, almost Kermit-like green color, but now thanks to iMotorMag.com based in the UK, we have a gallery's worth of new images that shows off the fastest Ford ever produced for Europe. iMotorMag tells us that we still have to wait until this Friday, December 12th, for official performance specs and pricing from Ford, but they do let slip the new RS will reach 62 mph in 5.9 seconds. That may not sound so fast for a car brandishing a 296bhp turbocharged five-cylinder engine, but remember that European Fords are famous for their balanced handling over brutal straight-line speed. That's why we're so excited Ford's turnaround plan for North America involves selling the next-gen European Focus here in the U.S. Maybe one day we'll know what it's like to drive the extroverted Focus RS. Until then, have fun in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2009 Ford Focus RS (blue)

[Source: iMotorMag.com]

Pics Aplenty: Ford Focus RS gets its blue on originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2008 Ford Focus ST (Euro-spec)

Noah Joseph — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Ford, First Drives

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Ford Focus ST

Save the hot hatch for last. That's what we kept telling ourselves as we wandered the Belgian countryside looking for Ford's Lommel Proving Ground. As it turns out, the facility, located next to an air force base - restricted airspace, you know - is so secret, our hosts at Ford could hardly find it. So we had a little extra time to repeat the mantra: save the hot hatch for last.

On our way to Italy to drive the new Fiesta, we took a detour to Lommel to sample some of Ford's European C-segment offerings. A variety of vehicles, including one with the new dual-clutch gearbox, a Kuga crossover and the fire-breathing Focus ST, would be on hand for us to drive around the track. But we knew that if we gave into temptation and drove the ST first, the rest would seem sluggish by comparison, even though the vehicles aren't comparable. So did we resist the urge, or give into the little demon that's always whispering in our ears to go faster? Follow the jump and we just might tell you.

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Ford Focus ST

Continue reading First Drive: 2008 Ford Focus ST (Euro-spec)

First Drive: 2008 Ford Focus ST (Euro-spec) originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Now That's Fast: UK Ford dealers take 1000 orders for Focus RS

Noah Joseph — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Ford, UK

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the 2009 Ford Focus RS

The fastest piece of machinery ever devised by Ford of Europe, the highly anticipated Focus RS, just had its first public showing in London and is about to be officially unveiled in Paris next month. But with delivery expected to begin sometime next year, Ford dealers in the United Kingdom alone have already taken over 1,000 orders for the new hot hatch. Color options haven't even been officially announced yet - with only Electric Green, Electric Blue and Frozen White confirmed so far - but most customers have already specified their color choices.

We'll be on hand next month to bring you live shots of the new Focus Rallye Sport, so stay tuned. In the meantime, we've got a review of the Focus ST coming your way, plus a hi-res gallery of the Focus RS below and the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2009 Ford Focus RS (green)

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Now That's Fast: UK Ford dealers take 1000 orders for Focus RS

Now That's Fast: UK Ford dealers take 1000 orders for Focus RS originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford to retool U.S. plant for European vehicles

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Sedan, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Ford, UK

We wrote about it earlier, just as a rumor, but it looks like an announcement is imminent: the Wall Street Journal says that Ford is going to make European cars on this side of the pond. However, it isn't merely North American plants that will be changed over, but American plants. The Journal doesn't give any further indication of where those plants might be or what those cars might be, only saying that the strategy could be revealed during Ford's Q2 earnings announcement this Thursday. But we'll say again: come on, Mondeo! (And Focus and Focus Coupe and Ka and...)

[Source: Automotive News, sub req'd]

Ford to retool U.S. plant for European vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: 2009 Ford Focus RS

Alex Nunez — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 09:34:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for a high-res gallery of the new Focus RS

Yesterday brought the sneak peek, but today we've got the real deal. The new Ford Focus RS is is mean and green (we mean that in the literal sense, thanks to its killer-looking paint color), and it will make its debut at this month's London Motor Show. While the RS is still under development, the car being put on display isn't exactly a concept, either. Some details might change here and there before it reaches showrooms in 2009, but ultimately, what you see here is what European drivers are going to get. The wide, low-slung stance, intimidating fascia, racy dual exhaust, and requisite high-mount spoiler are all part of the package. Follow the jump for more

Gallery: 2009 Ford Focus RS (green)

Continue reading Officially Official: 2009 Ford Focus RS

Officially Official: 2009 Ford Focus RS originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Jul 2008 09:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Ford converting North American factories to make European cars

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:20:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Hatchback, Ford

For reasons that everyone is aware of, American carmakers have been shutting down and idling plants that make trucks and SUVs. According to AutoSavant, however, Ford is not going to simply shutter plants, it is going to retool some of them to build its Euro-market cars for the American market.

If this is true, we're so giddy we don't even want to paraphrase it, so we'll just quote directly: "Our sources at Ford say that Mr. Mulally has already made the decision to convert at least three truck/SUV production facilities in North America as soon as possible to produce Ford models currently sold in Europe.... The timeline Mulally prefers, according to insiders, is 'yesterday'."

The reasoning is ostensibly that with the American market going to more frugal cars, it's time for Ford to start spending the money to provide them -- even though cash is tight right now. What might make the leap across the water? The Euro Focus, the Focus Coupe, and the C-Max (pictured) are candidates. The Mondeo is, supposedly, not. But it's a start, hey? It only took spiraling gas prices and plummeting truck sales to get us what we have been begging for. If we had known, we'd have done it sooner. Thanks for the tip, Daniel!

[Source: AutoSavant]

Rumormill: Ford converting North American factories to make European cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: Ford unveils Fiesta S in China

Noah Joseph — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: China, Hatchback, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above to view the Ford Fiesta S in hi-res

China will undoubtedly be an important market for the new Ford Fiesta. Originally unveiled in European spec at the Geneva Motor Show last month, the Chinese version has just made its debut this week at the Auto China show in Beijing. The Chinese Fiesta is scheduled begin production before the end of the year at Ford's $510 million Changan Ford Mazda Automobile (CFMA) plant in Nanjing, China.

Styling is by and large the same as its European counterpart, only the Beijing show car, displayed in S trim, features a sportier, more aggressive trim package that could preview what a future hot-hatch Fiesta ST or RS could look like. Did Ford hit the sweet spot in Geneva or in Beijing? Take a look at the Chinese and European versions in the galleries below and share your thoughts in the comments.

Gallery: 2009 Ford Fiesta S - China

Gallery: 2009 Ford Fiesta

[Source: Ford]

Pics Aplenty: Ford unveils Fiesta S in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2008: production Ford Kuga

Noah Joseph — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 11:03:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Crossover, Ford

Click above to view the Ford Kuga in hi-res

Kinetic design has been swallowing Ford of Europe's product range whole, and took a big bite at this year's Geneva Motor Show. Alongside the new Fiesta, Ford showed off the production version of the all-new Kuga crossover. Previewed by the concept unveiled at the last Frankfurt show and drawing on styling cues from the Iosis X show car, the Kuga is based on the same platform as the slicker Focus they get overseas.

Although the Kuga is admittedly one more European model that Ford won't offer in its home market, we're not short of Ford crossovers to choose from over here, so we'll let the Europeans have this one. (Just give us the Focus RS and we'll be happy.) But to see what we're missing, check out our gallery of images from the Geneva show floor by clicking on the thumbnails below. Unfortunately, although we're sure the Kuga rolled off its turntable at night after we were gone and duked it out with the Renault Koleos for market share, we couldn't prove it.

Gallery: Ford Kuga

Geneva 2008: production Ford Kuga originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Mar 2008 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CONFIRMED: Ford Fiesta coming to America, hope for Mondeo

John Neff — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:54:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Ford

Ford of Europe chairman Lewis Booth confirmed today that the next-generation Ford Fiesta for the European market will be brought to us folks in small car-starved North America. In truth, we're not actually starved for small cars in North America, we're just starved for good small cars like the Ford Fiesta and other European B-class models. The current model is well received in its native market, while the next generation model will be based off of the same platform used by the new Mazda2 that's being debuted publicly for the first time in Geneva tomorrow. The question remains whether Ford will substantially alter the design of the Euro model before it makes its transatlantic voyage, but considering how little money Ford has to spare, as well as how good the current designs are coming out of Ford Europe, we'd guess the models will be very similar.

Booth also commented that platform sharing between Ford's North American and European operations could extend all the way up to the Mondeo. For the first time we've gotten an indication of how that might work. Booth says that since the Fusion has just been launched, it likely won't be until the new sedan has gone through at least one full product cycle that the two cars can be merged. By that time, we'll either be getting the new Mondeo in the twilight of its own product cycle or an all-new Mondeo will debut on both continents.

[Source: The Detroit News]

CONFIRMED: Ford Fiesta coming to America, hope for Mondeo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Fiesta XR4 launches in the land of Oz

Alex Nunez — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Ford

Click image for hi-res gallery

All the B-car hubbub this weekend centered around the nifty new Mazda2, which we seriously hope to see in the US at some poin tin the future. At Australia's Melbourne International Motor Show, however, Ford showed off its tried-and-true Fiesta in that market's XR performance trim. The Fiesta XR4, looking very swank in it's decidedly Shelby-looking blue-on-white stripe package, is really just a rebadged Euro-market Fiesta ST.

That's no bad thing, as the small hatch (it's slotted below the Focus) pumps out 150 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque from its 2.0-liter four cylinder. The only transmission offered on the XR version is a five-speed manual, and we're confident that the car's target audience wouldn't have it any other way. Very snazzy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero rubber combine with great-looking factory bodywork to create an attractive and desirable overall package.

This settles it: we're moving to Australia. It's not enough that they get their killer home-market Ford rear-drivers like the FPV GT, but they get the best stuff Ford of Europe has on offer as well (Fiesta, Focus)? We give up. This weekend, it was announced that Australia's getting the new Mondeo, too. Talk about a glut of riches.

Press release after the jump.

[Source: Ford Australia]

Gallery: 2007 Ford Fiesta XR4 (AUDM)

Continue reading Ford Fiesta XR4 launches in the land of Oz

Ford Fiesta XR4 launches in the land of Oz originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Mar 2007 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford scratching out a profit in Europe

Stuart Waterman — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 19:04:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Ford, Earnings/Financials

Ford of Europe Chairman Lewis Booth (pictured with mischievous grin) was quoted Tuesday as confirming that Ford will be profitable in Europe in 2006, despite intense price competition and high prices for raw materials.

The crowded European market is a challenging venue for many automakers, as Japanese and South Korean companies are aggressively pursuing market share putting many western brands under pressure. Booth feels that Ford is holding its own with against the eastern competition, while trends for the Premier Automotive Group were mixed with Jaguar under pressure as always, Volvo recovering and Land Rover doing well.

[Sources: Reuters, Ford]

Ford scratching out a profit in Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Apr 2006 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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