Ford Reporter

Ford presented the first official pictures of the new generation Focus model will be released world premiere during the day, in the Auto Show in Detroit. Unlike previous generations, the new Focus is a global model, planning to look the same both in the U.S. and Europe, which is also why the model is presented to a room across the ocean. Moreover, Ford has chosen – for this very reason – to present in the same time, the hatchback and the sedan versions of the new model, the U.S. market is rather used with the four-door version of its Focus than the  hatchback  version found mostly on the Europe streets .

On the aesthetic, the new Focus highlights very clearly it`s belonging to the new line of models of the Blue Oval, being practically a larger version of the Fiesta subcompact model. Focus’s design is a purely European design center was developed in Germany that it owns the mark in Michigan. Remained in high dimensions the same for sedan, hatchback and the dimensions of the chassis and the suspension hardware is also borrowed from the old generation with the necessary improvements.

“This is Fords new face . It’s sport and more sport, with a lower figure, but with the same interior volume that pulled in front of the market model”, Said Ford officials first notified about the next generation Focus.

Chassis and the entire suite of mechanical elements that make up the new model will be the basis of a series of 10 different models of family Focus, these will be launched by 2012. Engines, great new appearance will be represented by a unit Ecoboost 1.6-liter turbo that will rise to the same performance figures as the 2.0 liter it replaces, provided that consumption will be, say those at Ford , “an exceptional”. Duratorq diesel units won`t escape from improvements, but these will be presented only in March, when the new Focus will make its European debut in the Geneva Motor Show. Both in U.S. and Europe, the new model from Ford will have a new automatic transmission with six-speed dual-clutch that promises, in turn, consumption figures interesting.

The new generation Focus will be made in parallel in Ford plants in Saarlouis (Germany), Michigan (USA) and Chongqing (China), following the later to play the game and production sites in Spain and Russia. The new Focus will go on sale in 2011.

Since 2011, Ford will no longer produce  Kuga in Europe but the United States. By this decision, yet unconfirmed, the new and elegant Compact SUV will reach the North American market  three years after  of its release.

According to Bloomberg news site, Ford Motor Company will move in October 2011 Kuga production in the factory from Saarlouis (Germany) to that of Louisville (Kentucky). Annual European dealers will go  80,000 copies Ford Kuga.

The main reason for the Ford Kuga will be manufactured overseas is the lower production costs compared with those in Europe who come amid dollar’s depreciation against the euro. Only in 2009, the dollar lost 18 percent of the single European fatamonedei.

U.S. producer Ford said it had managed to reach a 10% market share in Europe (in 19 major markets), precedent  month becoming the best months from September 2001 until now.

It seems that “culprit” this situation is, of course, new Fiesta, which was mostly responsible for this achievement.

Thus, car sales in November increased by 12.3% last month compared with same period last year, Ford managed to sell 152,600 units in Europe. Of these, 51,400 were copies Fiesta.

In five of the 19 European countries, American manufacturer Ford is a leader (United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, Hungary and Turkey).

Ford faced the largest recall in history: 4.5 million vehicles are on fire danger because of poor electric parts and will be forced into service. The decision was preceded by a investigation long made of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that covered model of the Mercury Mountaineer and some models of the “Blue Oval”. First place is occupied by your Windstar van versions produced between 1995 and 2003, with 1.1 million units.

Guilty is the switch that allows the driver off cruise-control by pressing the brake pedal. It overheated and cause a fire. The song in question, made by Texas Instruments, was used for Ford a long period, the ’90s until 2003, and was installed on about 16 million of vehicles.

Switchlink producer troublesome prompted U.S. officials to operate eight recall past 10 years. The total number of affected machines amounting to 14.1 million units, 550 fire – some of them resulting in deaths – and 1500 complaints were related over time the same song.

Here is the list of recalled models Ford:
- Ford Econoline produced between 1992-2003
- Ford Excursion produced between 2000-2003
- Ford Explorer produced between 1995-2002
- Ford F-Series Super Duty produced between 1993-1997 and 1999-2003
- Ford F-53 produced in 1994
- Ford Ranger produced between 1995-1997 and 2001-2003
- Ford Windstar produced between 1995-2003
- Mercury Mountaineer produced between 1995-2002

Ford and Honda place trying to catch a leader in green car sales struggle in the United States of America.

Ford hybrid sales were 73%in the first nine months of 2009 compared to same period last year.

In September, Ford said that its financial reports, he sold 26,016 hybrid vehicles, because of the new Ford Fusion Hybrid, which led sales.

According to Automotive News, Ford and Honda are fighting for 2nd place in sales of hybrid vehicles in the United States.

Honda currently holds the second position , led by Honda’s Insight and hybrid Civic, With total sales of 29,958 hybrid cars in the first nine months of this year, pointing to an increase of 8 percent.

Toyota Motor Corp. hybrid drive car sales in the U.S., Recording sold more units than all brands myself. Although market leader, Toyota recorded a decline of 28% of hybrid sales in the first nine months of 2009, with a total of 144,351 units.

You may want to read this – The evolution of Ford Europe`s Kinetic design makes its debut in the Ford Iosis Max. This is really a good news since we all loved the new look of mondeo and focus. Ford announced that starting the next generation of Focus we`ll see the same model in US and in Europe. Another good thing about this new model is the engine: 1.6 liter EcoBoost turbocharged engine with “just” 178bhp and a dual clutch transmission.

We can hardly wait to see this model in action.

  More pictures below:

“The next five years will be a very important transition technically for the [police] pursuit business and limo livery,” says Farley. “These days you really can’t afford to walk away from a loyal customer base who loves your product.” Ford is trying to save their business with  Police cars, a segment which measures about 65,000 annual units sold.

Their new solution most likely will be a front wheel drive unibody with all whell drive capability. This model is under review and most likely we`ll have to wait 1-2 years until we`ll see a final version of it. 

“The next five years will be a very important transition technically for the [police] pursuit business and limo livery,” says Farley. “These days you really can’t afford to walk away from a loyal customer base who loves your product.” Ford is trying to save their business with  Police cars, a segment which measures about 65,000 annual units sold.

Their new solution most likely will be a front wheel drive unibody with all whell drive capability. This model is under review and most likely we`ll have to wait 1-2 years until we`ll see a final version of it.

In 2010 we`ll see in  Ford Cars a new clutch – PowerShift which is similar with the DSG from Volkswagens. This clutch allows full automatic control or clutch-less  manual shifting. It is already available in the current Focus 2.0L diesel engine but it`s a wet clutch system. The one available in 2010 will be a dry-clutch system which is lighter and more efficient.The 6-speed PowerShift weighs with 30 lbs less than the 4-speed automatic currently offered in the U.S. Focus and should deliver up to  9-percent better fuel economy. We`ll keep an eye on future announces regarding this clutch which we find very good.

The 12th generation of Ford’s pickup truck, managed something extraordinary especially in this crisis time it`s the best sold car in US for the 23rd straight year. Still, its 515,513 sales it`s not much in comparison to the mid-2000s, when  the Blue Oval sold nearly a million F-150s each year but it`s something. When everyone struggles to stay alive Ford is doing quite well.