What I know about Ford finally made public

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/r...most-flexible/

Retooled Ford Wayne assembly plant to be company's most flexible

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) on Aug 4th 2010 at 8:29AM

Ford is crowing that its freshly retooled Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, MI is now the most flexible final assembly factory in its global network. The Wayne plant used to assemble the Expedition and Lincoln Navigator full-size SUVs but is now building pre-production examples of the 2012 Focus. One of the features touted by Ford for its new global C-segment platform is that it is driving down development cost by building 10 different bodystyles on the architecture using many of the same mechanical components.

At launch, the Wayne plant will build both four-door sedan and five-door hatchback variants, but those are expected to be joined by a new Lincoln compact and possibly variants like the Grand C-Max. Ford will also be building versions of these vehicles with conventional, hybrid and full battery electric powertrains. Over 80 percent of the equipment in the body shop is programmable and can run different body styles almost with the flip of a switch. Ford says this new flexibility will also allow it to quickly adjust its product mix to shifting market conditions.

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/09/r...raw-a-paychec/

Report: After five-year wage freeze, Bill Ford to draw a paycheck

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) on Aug 9th 2010 at 8:56AM

Bill Ford made the sacrifice, now he's earned the reward. After living sans salary from Ford for five years, Bill is due to receive $4 million in cash and up to $12 million in stock options. That doesn't cover the entire five years, but rather the last two – it's what he would have made from 2008 to now. Ford made his pledge before the downturn and couldn't have known he'd go five years before "sustainable profitability" was achieved, so the compensation committee backdated his pay to January 1, 2008.

"Sacrifice," in this case, might be a relative term, but still, we give the man full credit for stepping aside and waiting until real money was coming in. Some of his earninsg will go toward repaying loans he took out to buy Ford stock when the chips were down, and another million is going to set up a college scholarship for the children of Ford workers.

[Source: Detroit News | Image: Scott Olson/Getty Images]

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/10/r...-pay-off-debt/

Report: Ford using government-backed loans to pay off debt

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) on Aug 10th 2010 at 10:31AM

Ford was the only one of Detroit's three automakers able to avoid taking a direct government bailout in 2009 to bypass bankruptcy. However, that doesn't mean it hasn't been able to benefit from some government largess.

Back in 2006 before the credit markets collapsed, Ford essentially mortgaged every facility it had in order to borrow $23.5 billion. That money was used to provide operating cash flow that General Motors and Chrysler didn't have when things went south in 2008. The money allowed Ford to keep the lights on, but it also saddled the company with the debt service payments of $318 per vehicle in the second quarter of this year.

Rather than direct bailouts, Ford has been able to take advantage of several government-backed low interest loan programs like the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing program run by the Department of Energy to fund new vehicle development and factory retooling. Ford is also getting tax breaks and low interest loans from various states as well as other countries like the UK and Russia. At the same time, it has used profits earned in the past year to pay down higher interest debt earlier than planned. In doing so, Ford hopes to get back from junk bond status to investment grade by late 2011 or early 2012.

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/11/k...akes-big-jump/

KBB: Ford most considered car brand, Hyundai makes big jump

by Zach Bowman (RSS feed) on Aug 11th 2010 at 10:58AM

Hyundai was one of just a few companies to come through the automotive meltdown of 2009 relatively unscathed. The Korean automaker managed to keep sales up while others faltered thanks to a quality, inexpensive product lineup backed with a stout warranty. Now it looks like those very factors are beginning impact the number of car shoppers who would consider hopping into a Hyundai. According to the Kelly Blue Book Market Intelligence Brand Watch study, the company has risen to the fifth most non-luxury brand considered by car shoppers. The move effectively kicked Nissan out of the top five for the first time in years.

Hyundai's rise was precipitated by the fact that the company is scoring well in the non-luxury coupe/sedan/hatchback segment. In that area, the carmaker is bested only by Ford, Honda and Toyota.

Interestingly enough, Ford is the most considered car brand at the moment, thanks in part to Toyota's newly tarnished image. The Japanese automaker fell eight percentage points in the study compared to this time last year thanks largely to its recall problems. Hit the jump for a look at the KBB press release.

[vztrt]

This will mean repeat buyers.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/17/f...y-whopping-39/

Ford says 2010 Taurus resale value up by whopping 39%

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) on Aug 17th 2010 at 10:58AM

While most of the major mechanical systems of the Ford Taurus were unchanged from the 2009 to 2010 models, the all-new styling and interior has inspired people to more people to buy the shapelier four-door than its bland predecessor. Through the first seven months of 2010, sales of the Taurus have jumped by 116 percent, and apparently that newfound enthusiasm also extends to early secondhand sales of the big sedan.

According to Ford, average auction prices on used 2010 Tauruses are now 39 percent higher than comparable 2009 models. That's a jump of $7,100 and, as the Blue Oval dutifully points out, a $2,500 premium over a Toyota Avalon of the same vintage. The Taurus, like its crosstown rival, the Buick LaCrosse, clearly demonstrates the benefits of injecting a healthy dose of style and substance to a mainstream sedan. The volumes may not match the Toyota Camrys and Honda Accords of the world, but the design has inspired people to pay more, generating profits for their manufacturers. Check out Ford's official press release after the jump.

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/10/r...ncoln-dealers/

Report: Ford requests meeting with Lincoln dealers

by Chris Shunk (RSS feed) on Sep 10th 2010 at 10:29AM

With Mercury on the way to the morgue, there are plenty of very nervous Lincoln dealers in the United States. Ford Motor Company is looking to calm those nerves a bit by inviting dealers to Dearborn, MI on October 4. Automotive News reports that The Blue Oval is going to show dealers its plans for its North American-only luxury arm.

Ford spokesman Christian Bokich tells AN that the event is all about the future of Lincoln, adding "It's more about giving dealers a look how Ford will now work with Lincoln as an exclusive, luxury brand." There is no word at this time concerning the content being covered, but we're expecting Ford to show future product, along with how the automaker will further differentiate the four-pointed star from the Ford brand in the years to come. Bloomberg is also reporting that Lincoln dealers will be asked to upgrade their showrooms and work on improving customer service. There are currently 264 retail outlets that do not sell Ford product, and at this point many dealers don't know if they will live on as stand-alone Lincoln dealers in the future.

One interesting byproduct that could result from the meeting will be the likely product leaks that are soon to follow. Among the future vehicles anticipated to be added to the Lincoln brand are a Focus-sized C-segment small car inspired by the Concept C from the 2009 Detroit Auto Show and a similarly proportioned crossover.

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req., Bloomberg | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/10/r...anges-in-2011/

Report: Ford scaling back on model changes in 2011

by Jeff Glucker (RSS feed) on Sep 10th 2010 at 5:57PM
Ford

Ford is ready to come up for air. The automaker has been updating its product line with great quickness and now it's ready to take a breather. 33 percent of the Blue Oval's product line has been replaced for 2010 and Ford says it will be scaling that back next year. The lineup is currently bolstered by the likes of the 2011 Ford Edge, Fiesta, Explorer and, of course, the Mustang with its wonderful new engines.

Still, the plan is to outpace the rest of the competition and move to a fleet built upon global platforms. Ford's goal is to accomplish this by 2013 which will allow the automaker to reduce costs across the board and cut away at its $5.4 billion debt. This is welcome news to people who bought 2011 Mustangs, yet owners of not-as-fast 2010 models are still being monitored for signs of depression.

[Source: The Detroit News]

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/29/r...d-eyes-bankru/

Report: Visteon reaches pension agreement with Ford, eyes bankruptcy exit

by Chris Shunk (RSS feed) on Sep 29th 2010 at 1:33PM

Automobile parts supplier Visteon appears to be closer than ever to exiting bankruptcy after 15 long months of proceedings, with the help of the company's one-time master. The Detroit Free Press is reporting that Ford has agreed to waive $268 million in pension and retiree claims, relieving the troubled supplier of still more debt obligations. Further, The Blue Oval will reportedly commit to another $600 million in contracts, helping the supplier exit bankruptcy with a bit more work in queue.

When Visteon finally exits Chapter 11 proceedings, it will do so with a far healthier balance sheet, production capacity that is more in line with demand and less reliance on Ford Motor Company for business. But while the new Visteon will likely be profitable, the company won't be nearly as big as Ford's one-time captive supplier arm was 10 years ago. Visteon has shuttered or sold over 50 plants in the past decade while losing over 50,000 jobs.

[Source: Detroit Free Press | Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images]

[Terrarize]

Good to see Ford is heading in the right direction.....and with Chrysler and GM heading down the S bend they must be smiling.Hopefully it benefits ford Oz.

[vztrt]

Ford cuts Mazda stake

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2577E000166CEA

ust 3.5 per cent of Mazda still owned by Ford following Blue Oval’s latest sell-off

19 November 2010

By MARTON PETTENDY

FORD has divested most of its remaining interest in Mazda, but is still one of the Japanese car-maker’s largest shareholders with an ownership stake of 3.5 per cent.

The US auto giant announced it would reduce its 11 per cent share of Mazda yesterday (November 18) by transferring 7.5 per cent to Mazda’s existing business partners via off-auction trading through the Tokyo stock exchange.

Ford said it expected that process, which should earn the company about $US35 million, to be completed by today, allowing it to “increase flexibility as it continues to pursue growth in key emerging markets”.

Ford’s latest sell-down of Mazda shares follows a 20 per cent reduction in its ownership of Mazda – from 33.4 to a still-dominant 13 per cent – in November 2008.

As they did then, both Ford and Mazda stressed the latest shareholding shift will have no bearing the companies’ strategic partnership, which dates back more than three decades and has most recently produced the co-developed Ranger/BT-50 utilities and Fiesta/Mazda2 light-cars.

“Ford will remain one of Mazda’s largest shareholders with a 3.5 per cent stake, and both companies are committed to continuing our strategic partnership which spans over 30 years,” said Mazda’s representative director and chairman of the board, president and CEO, Takashi Yamanouchi.

“Mazda and Ford will continue to collaborate on areas of mutual benefit such as key joint-ventures, joint projects and exchange of technology information.”

Similarly, Ford said it will continue to co-operate with Mazda in areas of mutual benefit, including key joint-ventures and exchange of technology information.

[data_mine]

11.5% of Mazda is worth $35m ???

Or is there a zero missing in there?

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/19/f...eter-of-the-y/

Ford wins first-ever Nielsen automotive 'Green Marketer of the Year' award

by Zach Bowman (RSS feed) on Nov 19th 2010 at 11:00AM

General Motors may be raking in the awards with its Chevrolet Volt right now, but Ford isn't exactly going unnoticed for its efforts on the green front. The Green Blue Oval has won Nielsen's first Automotive Green Marketer of the Year award. The honor is given to brands that help shape consumer awareness of environmental themes, and Ford beat out Chevrolet, Honda, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota for this year's pick in the automotive category. According to Nielsen, the campaigns for both the Fiesta and Fusion Hybrid helped tip the scales in the Ford direction. Additionally, Nielsen says that FoMoCo's decision to sponsor this year's hybrid-oriented American Idol helped out quite a bit as well.

This isn't just some popularity contest, though. Nielsen dug through three research studies to determine each manufacturer's effectiveness in green advertising. All told, over 7,000 participants were involved in the research. Hit the jump for the press release.

[Source: Nielsen]

Ford Press Release

Ford Grabs First Ever Nielsen Automotive Green Marketer of the Year Award

Los Angeles, CA – November 18, 2010 – Ford is the inaugural winner of the first-ever Nielsen Automotive Green Marketer of the Year award. The award was presented today by The Nielsen Company at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in recognition of the brand that made the greatest strides in gaining consumer awareness and positively shifting consumer perceptions for their environmentally friendly marketing initiatives.

Ford has built significant awareness over the past year around their hybrid vehicles and fuel-efficient cars with key campaigns for Fiesta and Fusion Hybrid, as well as their Drive One 2.0 brand ads featuring hybrids and miles-per-gallon (MPG) related ads. In addition, Ford's official sponsorship of Fox's reality show American Idol, which put specific emphasis on the hybrid offerings, has helped drive increased awareness of their green message among millions of people every week. Last season, American Idol's popular Ford Music Video Challenge, in which exclusive Ford music videos aired each week, featured the Fusion Hybrid and Escape Hybrid among other vehicles, successfully grabbing the attention of consumers. Meanwhile, the company continued to break ground in social media with the launch of new apps aimed at expanding its reach to a new class of prospective car-buyers.

"The Automotive Green Marketer of the Year award is not just about great creative, although we all know that's a crucial element of any effective ad campaign," said Lois Miller, President, Nielsen Automotive. "However, this is bigger than one creative. This award is for the auto marketer who was most effective at leveraging its brand to further the 'green' movement and create positive awareness for all the auto industry is doing to drive fuel-efficiency and eco-friendly practices. This was best exemplified by Ford."

Methodology

To determine the finalists and winner of the Automotive Green Marketer of the Year, Nielsen leveraged three research studies – a cross-media survey, and separate analyses of data on TV advertising effectiveness and social media "buzz." These three studies were then analyzed to understand awareness levels and perceptions for 'green' auto marketing across media types. Auto manufacturers that ran any national TV ads with "green" themes between October 2009 and September 2010 were eligible for consideration.

In the cross-media survey of nearly 7,000 U.S. consumers, Nielsen found that 85% of consumers said they recalled seeing a 'green' auto ad recently and, on average across the 23 brands measured, 67% of consumers said they had a more positive opinion of green marketing after seeing the ad. Further to that, 41% of consumers said the ad increased their consideration to buy the featured vehicle.

As TV continues to be an important medium for auto marketers, Nielsen analyzed its TV ad effectiveness data for green automotive ads based on the reactions of 2.5 million TV viewers who had seen the ads. Nielsen found that green auto ads resonated better than the average auto ad with 12% higher Message Recall, the percentage in which a viewer can recall an ad, the brand or vehicle featured in the ad, and the green message conveyed.

Nielsen also examined consumer sentiment through social media, a key emerging platform for auto marketing. With nearly 60,000 messages analyzed for auto brands, consumers view their green auto marketing efforts in a positive light with 12 times more positive "buzz" than negative.

The remaining four finalists for Automotive Green Marketer of the Year included:

* Chevrolet, whose highly-anticipated Volt launch has generated much consumer interest and discussion around their green offerings;

* Honda, which is still generally associated with fuel efficiency, garnered attention this year with its notable use of 3-D technology in ads;

* Mercedes-Benz, whose new diesel-electric hybrid S-400 debuted at last year's LA Auto Show and was launched on television during the Academy Awards; and

* Toyota, which leveraged the strong launch work behind the Prius from mid-2009 and saw strong returns from these ads at the end of the year and for their other Prius initiatives.

"Looking at all automotive brands in the study, the five nominees rose to the top across the three studies," said Miller. "They gained the most awareness and positive perceptions from consumers around their green marketing initiatives. Ultimately, in a challenged economic environment, this was no small feat."

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by ltd

The NRMA's Open Road has just recommended on its front page 3 vehicles that are affordable luxury; that the Ford G6E-T is an absolute cracker and at a fantastic price. Not that this means that much on appearance, but ask yourself how long ago it was that there was any falcon derivative recommended by the Open Road, .

yes, they typically recommend Toyota Aurion. maybe toyota didn't renew their subscription.... :evil

[Ohio XB]

Here's something that I was told about a year ago by ........ a Ford engine person. I have not been able to say anything about it but now Ford is talking about it.

At the Bejing Auto Show Ford unveiled the Start Concept Car. The engine in this car is a 1.0L 3 cylinder EcoBoost engine. In this article.....

http://www.gizmag.com/ford-start-concept-car/14935/

.....they mention "There's no confirmation that the Start will ever see the showroom floor, but according to Ford the Concept’s 1.0-litre, three-cylinder EcoBoost engine will join its 3.5-litre V6 and 2.0-litre four-cylinder siblings on the production line "in the near future."

On top of this they also mention "....Ford says that the 1.0-litre Ford EcoBoost I3 "will deliver comparable power and torque to a larger I4 engine..."


So this engine will produce power and torque comparable to a 2.0L engine, the larger 4 cylinder engines.

With this in mind, remember when the EcoBoost 3.5L engine came out and it was very impressive to be rated at 355 HP and 340 lb. ft. of torque. People said this would make for a very good V8 replacement engine. Then the Taurus SHO was introduced and HP went up to 360, torque moved up to 350 lb. ft. Ok, so there was some room to bump up. Now Ford is putting this engine into the F-150 and torque is now "bumped up" to 420 ft. lbs. That is 80 ft. lbs. over the original introduction capability. EIGHTY POUNDS!


So, now this 1.0L EcoBoost engine will make the same power as a current 2.0L 4 cylinder engine.......when this engine is introduced. Ok. Think of how power increases went with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine.

That's all I'm saying....




Steve

[TheInterceptor]

Thats actually pretty exciting and very impressive to say the least.

Im seriously contemplating using an EB engine for the next motor in the soob.

[Burnout]

Its interesting to see a little 'milk bottle' engine making its way into the mainstream.

[jpd80]

Pretty sure that Europe and Asia will jump at an I-3 1.0 Ecoboost engine if it can offer great fuel economy,
it looks like the cost of supplying a small diesel Vs developing the I-3 EB now favor the Ecoboost....

[ebxr8240]

Smart engine ...

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Pretty sure that Europe and Asia will jump at an I-3 1.0 Ecoboost engine if it can offer great fuel economy,
it looks like the cost of supplying a small diesel Vs developing the I-3 EB now favor the Ecoboost....

Both diesel and EB use Direct Injection, both use a turbo. The I3 would be much lighter though and the cost difference would come from the block and internals. Lower servicing costs of a petrol is good too.

Add Stop-Start tech to the lower weight (a greater proportion of engine etc for a small car) and much (not all) of the difference in town economy would be recouped with the EB.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by phillyc

Both diesel and EB use Direct Injection, both use a turbo. The I3 would be much lighter though and the cost difference would come from the block and internals. Lower servicing costs of a petrol is good too.

Add Stop-Start tech to the lower weight (a greater proportion of engine etc for a small car) and much (not all) of the difference in town economy would be recouped with the EB.

That's what I'm thinking Phil, in a smaller car, smaller engine the diesel Vs petrol
tech and economics may favor Ecoboost if the vehicle is on a really tight budget.



I hope Ford presses on with ecoboost, it may be a way for petrol to make a real come back,
I'm thinking 2.4 I-6 Ecoboost with 210 Kw and 390 nm for you know what......
If we could get a Falcon that achieves something like 8.0-8.5 l/100 klm and
still has smoothness and torque of the I-6 4.0 litre, we give up nothing.

[Sample]

id like to see the diesel tech in the territory

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Sample

id like to see the diesel tech in the territory

you won't have to wait too long, diesel Territory will be here soon enough..

[Ohio XB]

Currently in the US the 2.0L NA engine is rated at 140 HP and 136 lb. ft. of torque. So if this 1.0L EcoBoost can hit that when it is first introduced, perhaps the "bumped up" version will be around 150 HP and 170 lb. ft.? This would be a little below the 3.3L V6 (Nissan engine) in my wife's 2002 Mercury Villager. Her minivan can spin the tires through an intersection. The earlier version of the minivan had spec's closer to my hypothetical "bumped up" 1.0L EB engine.

I am only speculating on what the 1.0L engine might be capable of as far as power ratings go. I was told of a target application for the engine but I cannot comment on that. This target was also mentioned to me early on in the EcoBoost program.


Steve

[vztrt]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/94391/wa...ers-announced/

Ward’s 10 Best Engines 2011 winners announced
By Tim Beissmann | December 8th, 2010

Automotive industry analyst Ward’s has announced its ’10 Best Engines’ list for the 2011 model year, including a mix of performance, efficiency and technology.

A total of 38 vehicles with new or significantly improved engines were tested and put up against last year’s winners to determine the top ten.

The 2011 Ward’s 10 Best Engine winners:

• 3.0-litre TFSI supercharged V6 (Audi S4)
• 3.0-litre N55 turbocharged I6 (BMW 335i)
• 1.6-litre turbocharged I4 (Mini Cooper S)
• 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 (Dodge Avenger)
• 5.0-litre V8 (Ford Mustang GT)
• 1.4-litre I-4/111kW Drive Motor (Chevrolet Volt)
• 5.0L-litre Tau V8 (Hyundai Genesis)
• 80kW AC Synchronous Electric Motor (Nissan Leaf)
• 2.0-litre I4 turbo-diesel (Volkswagen Jetta TDI)
• 3.0-litre turbocharged I6 (Volvo S60)

This year’s list features six completely new winners – the largest turnover in the list’s 17-year history.

The 248kW/440Nm V6 from the Audi S4 and the 103kW320Nm TDI from the Volkswagen Jetta (capable of 5.6 litres/100km) joined the winner’s list for the second and third consecutive years, respectively.

The 223kW/407Nm BMW N55 replaced the N54 – which won from 2007 to 2009 – in the list, while the 320kW/510Nm Hyundai Tau V8 (now with greater displacement and direct injection) also returned after victory last year.

The 307kW/529Nm 5.0-litre V8 from the Mustang was one of only three naturally aspirated engines to take home a prize. Despite the 12.3 litres/100km returned by testers on mostly highway conditions, the judges said there was still a place for the engine in the market.

At the other end of the spectrum, the judges rated the Chevrolet Volt’s ‘Voltec’ propulsion system a “technological masterpiece”, while the fully electric Nissan Leaf was deemed practical, affordable and “a thrill to drive”.

To be eligible for the award, engines must be fitted to US-specification vehicles, on sale no later than the first quarter of 2011, and priced at or below $US55,000 ($55,800).

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/09/f...oyalty-survey/

Ford, Honda lead latest J.D. Power owner loyalty survey

by Jeff Glucker (RSS feed) on Dec 9th 2010 at 5:33PM



Customer loyalty is incredibly important to automakers and something earned by providing both good products and service. J.D. Power has just put out its 2010 Customer Retention Study to show how well each automaker is doing at keeping existing car buyers coming back for more. Leading the way are Ford and Honda who tie each other with a 62 percent rate of customer retention. Hyundai, Lexus and Toyota are right on their heels however with a rate of 60 percent each.

Overall, import manufacturers have the edge on the domestics but that gap has slimmed down due to customers realizing that American automakers are producing a greater number of good products. Of the top 10 automakers in the study, nine are imports.

One of those imports is Kia, which has climbed the most compared to the 2009 study. Rising 21 percentage points, the Korean automaker now sees a rate of retention of 58 percent. That's 10 points above the industry average.

Be sure to click past the jump to take a look at the full press release for more information on this study.

[Source: J.D. Power]

[Joe5619]

WOW.. Ford at the top.. Interesting how different it can be in different countries??

[vztrt]

Ford Figo gives ’em curry

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2577FB00163F9D

True-blue Figo caps off Ford sales surge with Indian award

16 December 2010

By RON HAMMERTON

THE Australian-developed car that has almost single-handedly put Ford on the map in India has been rewarded with that country’s 2011 Car of the Year award.

The Ford Figo – designed and engineered by Ford Australia from the previous generation Ford Fiesta – comfortably out-pointed three finalists from the Volkswagen Group – the VW Vento, VW Polo and Skoda Yeti.

The Figo has been a sensation on the Indian new-car market since it was launched in March, clocking up more than 60,000 sales and driving up Ford’s sales volumes in that country by 185 per cent this year.

The Figo accounts for almost three-quarters of Ford sales in India, and has become a huge export success, with 48 overseas markets set to take the light car in 2011. It is already exported to Nepal and South Africa, where it is also in Car of the Year contention.

Fresh markets could include Australia – the country where the Figo was designed and engineered as a low-cost hatch for emerging markets.

As GoAuto reported earlier this month, the Figo is being considered by Ford Australia to take the fight up to a plethora of new entry-level light cars such as the South Korean-made Holden Barina Spark and Suzuki Alto, which is made in India.

FordFigo center imageHowever, a Figo for Australia might not necessarily come from India. Ford Australia is said to be designing another version of the Figo for China, where the Blue Oval has a partnership with Chinese car-maker Chang’an.

However, Ford Australia insiders have told GoAuto that any sub-Fiesta light car for Australia would be 12-to-18 months away.

In India, the Figo competes in the small-car segment, which accounts for more than 70 per cent of the new-vehicle market.

Chairman of the Indian COTY judging panel, Srinivas Krishnan, said the judges knew Ford had a potential winner on its hands as they lined up the contenders.

"The Figo’s crisp driving dynamics, two fuel-efficient engine options, cheerful styling and interiors and, of course, its terrific pricing, simply propelled it to the top of the honours list,” he said.

"It’s only appropriate that the Figo has won the Indian Car of the Year 2011 award, because Ford engineered the car specifically to cater to the needs of the Indian market."

Contenders were the Chevrolet Beat, Ford Figo, Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, Nissan Micra, Skoda Yeti, Tata Aria, Volkswagen Polo and Volkswagen Vento.

The Figo emerged as the clear winner with 83 points, ahead of the Volkswagen Vento (57 points). The Volkswagen Polo and Skoda Yeti tied for third with 37 points.

[vztrt]

Terri and Fiesta in COTD article.

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-fea...216-18z0w.html

Rated: Best cars of the decade (2000-2010) Drive Team
December 16, 2010 - 5:14PM

With 2010 coming to a close, we asked seven experts for their opinions on the best car of the past 10 years.

A lot can change in a decade and one of the best barometers of change is the car park.

In the ’90s, the word hybrid was more likely to conjure up images of a new rose species than a rather odd-looking car that runs partly on electricity. You’d also probably see more Daewoos and Daihatsus on the road than Volkswagens and Audis.

Fast forward a decade and hybrid cars are being built in Australia, you can’t buy a new Daewoo or Daihatsu and Volkswagen and Audi are two of the hottest car brands in the business.

Advertisement: Story continues below We’re likely to see even more change in the next decade as the world’s supplies of oil continue to dwindle and the electric car makes a comeback.

But two things never change: some cars stand out from the pack and motoring writers rarely agree on which they are.

As 2010 ends, we’ve asked seven motoring journalists to each anoint their car of the decade.

Normally with these awards, our judges will bang heads in a small room until they grudgingly come up with a consensus – or, more typically, a majority vote. But this time we’ve told them
not to compare notes but merely state their case for a winner and, to keep it entertaining, a couple of losers.



Cameron McGavin

Toyota Prius: Keen drivers will look back on BMW’s awesomely satisfying M3s, Audi’s RS4 and R8, Nissan’s GT-R, Renault’s Clio Sport and VW’s Golf GTI as proof of an age when the good times were very good indeed.

But, as good as all these cars were, they pale alongside the significance of Toyota’s original Prius, which was launched in the local market in 2001 (although it was available overseas from 1997).

With its noddy-car styling, plasticky cabin, mediocre road manners and sub-par refinement, the first Prius was, frankly, a very hard car to love and not much chop to drive, either.

But its pioneering petrolelectric hybrid drivetrain set lofty new benchmarks for city fuel economy and emissions and, as we head to a greener, more sustainable motoring future, the Prius looks more and more like a shining landmark.

Toyota’s competitors initially dismissed the car as a marketing stunt but more than a decade after its launch, they’re scrambling to catch up. The third-generation model still emits less carbon dioxide than any other car on the road and seats five people in comfort.

My pick: Benz’s SL55 AMG. The original supercharged V8’s god-like surge was epic.

Dud: Proton’s Waja was very ordinary and horribly overpriced.



Peter McKay

Ford Fiesta Econetic: I chose the Blue Oval littlie not because its ride and handling package is mightily impressive (better than most and perhaps even all in its class), and not because its front seats across the range offer great support and comfort (few if any can match it), and not even because the Fiesta’s 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine is gob-smackingly brilliant, with standout driveability and economy.

All of these, particularly the final point, are important to acknowledge. But the Fiesta ECOnetic – the most fuel-efficient car on our roads – ismy choice because it is the best-executed,
affordable exemplar of the direction car engineering is taking as the noughties fade to black.

Like it or not (and a lot don’t), the world is rushing towards personal transport that is smaller, lighter, uses less of our dwindling non-renewable fuel resources and consequently spits out reduced quantities of exhaust pipe nasties.

The world of motoring will never be the same again.

My pick: Green pretensions aside, Porsche’s 911 GT2. Brutal, challenging, invigorating, involving, bulletproof.

Dud: SsangYong Stavic. I’ve seen prettier train wrecks.



Bruce Newton

Holden Commodore Sportswagon: I’m sure plenty of you are going to spit out your boutique beers over this. Well harden up. For me the car of the decade is the good ol’ Aussie Holden Commodore.

There are qualifications of course: it has to be the current generation, it has to be a V8, it has to be a wagon, it has to be lowered and it has to be on 20-inch wheels.

Combine all that together and that’s a car I’d be happy with every time I looked at it – let alone drove it.

V8 Commodores all have the same intrinsic ability to go hard in a straight line and corner with more conviction than most European sports sedans, all the while accompanied by a booming V8 soundtrack that is totally addictive for a Bathurst-loving bloke like me.

The other good thing about choosing the wagon? You can kid the missus – and yourself – you made the rational, family decision: ‘‘Forget the fuel consumption, luv, just look at all that space.’’

My pick: Porsche 911 Carrera. Everything they say is true.

Dud: The current Holden Barina. Trash that tarnishes the brand.



David Morley

Volkswagen Golf: If every motoring decade has a theme, then the noughties gave us ‘‘the Environment’’. The result was that we no longer — as a society — necessarily aspired to big, powerful cars.

Problem is, from a cradle-to-grave perspective, the jury is still out on hybrids, while plug-in electric cars are — in most of Australia at least — in effect coal-powered.

The latest Volkswagen Golf, launched in 2009, presented us with an alternative to electric power that didn’t involve the usual compromises. It showed us that a small medium hatch could have ride quality, cabin refinement and safety levels equal to, or better than, those of a full-sized car.

Even more compelling was the ingeniously turbocharged and supercharged 1.4-litre engine. It’s got bucket-loads of performance and fuel economy that rivals a turbo diesel.

Where’s the catch? Seems there isn’t one. Of course, that’s the thing about watershed cars; they can take some getting used to. The twin-charged, small-capacity engine gives the petrol engine a new lease on life.

My pick: The latest Porsche 911 GT3 RS. I’d use it every day. I swear.

Dud: The BMW X6. For the life of me, I can’t imagine why I’d ever want a coupe on stilts or a soft-roader with a coupe body. Wilfully daft.



Toby Hagon

Volkswagen Golf: It was the decade of safety and (towards the latter part, at least) the decade car makers started making the environment a major focus.

It was also the decade Australians embraced downsizing, abandoning the large cars they’d flocked to for decades. Combine all those things and it’s difficult to ignore the impressive Mark VI Volkswagen Golf, which last year took our Drive’s Car of the Year award before backing up again to win its Small Car category in 2010.

The Golf combined clever packaging in a stylish hatch with a new breed of frugal turbocharged engines that has other brands racing to keep up. The inclusion of clever twin clutch transmissions that were developed in conjunction with Porsche added to the appeal and made the Golf a standout in the small-car class that boomed during the noughties.

It’s an impressive car to drive and the hatchbacks are functional and flexible.

My pick: Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo. Few could inject as much fun into a $40K car as Ford did with its game-changing turbocharged Falcon.

Dud: Crikey, the list could be so long. Various Peugeots, the Saab 9-3 (BMW beater? Not quite) or even the terrible Ford Mustang. Top of the list has to be the Chrysler PT Cruiser. Mediocrity in its prime.



Richard Blackburn

Ford Territory: On the surface it looks like a parochial choice but Australia’s first locally built soft-roader was a standout.

For family buyers, it hit the sweet spot between people-mover, traditional Aussie sedan and soft-roader. It was also clever inside. Seven seats, an array of storage options and a reversible floor in the rear load area that let you carry wet stuff without ruining the carpet.

But the clincher was that if you didn’t need a four-wheel-drive, you could get a two-wheel-drive version for $5000 less. On the safety front, it was only a seatbelt reminder short of a five-star crash rating and was the first local car to offer stability control.

It steered, cornered and rode better than most soft-roaders on the market and the beefy six-cylinder could tow a small frigate. Like all heroes, though, it had an Achilles heel: it drank like a fish.

Launched in 2004, the Territory became Australia’s best-selling softroader the next year. It outsold some of its main rivals — including Toyota’s LandCruiser and RAV4 and Subaru’s Forester — by a margin of two to one.

My pick: Ferrari 458 Italia. Scarlett Johansson on wheels.

Dud: Dodge Caliber. Dodge by name, dodgy by nature.



Jez Spinks

Ford Territory: Choosing a car of the decade can depend on different perspectives. If you were a bean counter, you might opt for the world’s most profitable small car — the BMW Mini.

A marketing man might pick the Toyota Prius; a racing driver, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. But I’ve picked a vehicle that in 2004 was a milestone for its country’s automotive industry, let alone the car company.

The Ford Territory was the first soft-roader in Australia to be available in two-wheel-drive as well as four-wheel-drive — a now-popular trend that some brands are only just starting to follow.

The soft-roader was a great example of how to maximise platform sharing opportunities, with this wagon looking nothing like the Falcon on which it was based.

It also set a standard for ride and handling comparable to the benchmark — but far more expensive — BMW X5.

My pick: Audi R8. A genuine supercar that is relatively affordable, great to drive and more comfortable than it ever ought to be.

Dud: Chrysler PT Cruiser. Retro looks — and retrograde performance, ride and handling.

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/21/r...-2-sales-posi/

Report: Ford looks ready to overtake Toyota for No. 2 sales position

by Chris Shunk (RSS feed) on Dec 21st 2010 at 1:01PM

As difficult as the past few years have been for the U.S. auto industry, automakers and analysts alike continue to hope for a better future. 2010 has been a vast improvement over 2009, with sales up 11 percent. Even better, the last three months have seen sales rise above an annualized rate of 12 million cars and trucks, and analysts see 2011 sales approaching 13 million units.

Nearly all automakers have benefited from customers' renewed faith in the economy, but few have fared as well as Ford. The Blue Oval has seen sales rise by 21 percent so far in 2010, and the Dearborn, MI-based automaker appears destined to reclaim its spot as the number two automaker in the States. Ford analyst George Pipas points out to The Detroit News that the automaker has seen two consecutive years of market share increase for the first time since 1993, going from 14.2 percent in 2008 to an expected 16.8 percent for 2010. At the same time, Toyota has seen its share shrink to 15.2 percent due in part to the recall of 6.75 million vehicles in the U.S. alone and over 10 million cars and trucks globally. Should sales trends continue, Ford will overtake Toyota in sales for the first time since the Japanese automaker wrestled away the number two spot back in 2007. General Motors remains at the top of the U.S. sales food chain, stabilizing its market share at 19.3 percent despite shedding four brands during bankruptcy.

Ford had a fantastic 2010, and with the 2011 Explorer and 2012 Focus on their way to showrooms and continued momentum from cars like the Mustang, we're thinking 2011 will be a winner as well. Meanwhile, Toyota will need some fresh product in its showrooms if it hopes to re-engage Ford and take back its place in line. And it will be tougher than ever to steal sales from GM or Chrysler, as both companies have stabilized market share and have new product for 2011.

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Paul Sakuma/AP]

[phillyc]

Caradvice

http://www.caradvice.com.au/96257/fo...e-in-us-sales/

Originally Posted by cardvice

Ford Motor Co. is poised to reclaim its position as the second-highest selling new vehicle brand in the US.



Ford sales have increased 21.1 percent through the first 11 months of 2010, climbing more than 300,000 units to 1,741,343.

At the same time, Toyota Motor Sales USA will slip to third by the end of this year, after battling to regain consumer confidence in the wake of the corporation’s largest ever vehicle recalls.

Toyota sales have risen just 0.2 percent in 2010 to 1,586,107 compared with the total light vehicle market in the US, which is up 11.1 percent year-to-date. The market continues to show strong signs of recovery after the GFC-driven downturn of 2009.

Ford lost second place to Toyota in 2007, but Ford Motor Co.’s market analyst, George Pipas, said it appears the Blue Oval brand will take a strong hold of the No. 2 again.

“The last time Ford gained one or more points of market share was in the ’80s,” Mr Pipas said, as reported by The Detroit News. “It’s the first time since 1993 that we have gained share in the U.S. back-to-back two years in a row.”



He said Ford expects the small car market to grow significantly in 2011 – a market that Ford US has invested heavily in with the Fiesta and new Focus.

“There’s more pent-up demand in the small vehicle market than in any other segment,” reported Bloomberg.

“The demographic shifts are very powerful. Baby boomers are not only downsizing their autos, they’re downsizing their homes.”

General Motors remains the highest selling brand in the US, and is expected to sell in excess of 2.13 million vehicles in 2010.



In total, more than 11 million light vehicles will be sold in the US in 2010. Annualised sales for December 2010 are expected to top 12 million, making it the third month in a row above that mark.

Despite the upward trend, the market is still a long way behind where it was for much of the past decade, when average annual sales were 16.8 million (between 2000 and 2007).

Looking ahead to 2011, Mr Pipas said the total market figures would be strong.

“We think sales for the year will be above 12 million, and perhaps closer to 13 million.”

Another strong showing by Ford US in 2010. US sales up 20% and worldwide has been hugely profitable.