Ford Begins Taking Orders for C-MAX Hybrid – America’s Most Affordable, Fuel-Efficient Hybrid Utility Vehicle
Ford Media

• Ford dealers are now taking orders for the Ford C-MAX Hybrid, which will be more affordable than Toyota Prius v while achieving better fuel economy
• Class-exclusive technologies include hands-free liftgate, active park assist for easier parallel parking and next-generation SmartGauge® with EcoGuide to help customers increase their fuel economy
• C-MAX will launch this fall as part of Ford’s power of choice strategy to deliver leading fuel economy across its lineup while tripling electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013

DEARBORN, Mich., May 17, 2012 – Ford dealers are starting to place orders for America’s most affordable and fuel-efficient hybrid utility vehicle – the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid – with innovative technologies such as a hands-free liftgate, spaciousness for five passengers and cargo as well as the fun-to-drive character shared with well-handling cars including Ford Focus.

The C-MAX is a compact hybrid utility vehicle and the company’s first dedicated line of hybrids. The 2013 C-MAX Hybrid will be available this fall with a base price of $25,995 – approximately $500 lower than the Toyota Prius v’s base price.

The C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid will follow later this year with better electric-mode fuel economy and overall driving range than the Prius plug-in hybrid.

“C-MAX Hybrid offers better fuel economy, performance, technology and functionality than Prius v – and C-MAX Hybrid customers will pay less at the dealership and at the pump,” said Ken Czubay, vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “Ford is delivering the power of choice for leading fuel economy across its lineup – from EcoBoost to electrified vehicles – because customers increasingly want to save money at the pump, even as gas prices rise over time.”

The C-MAX Hybrid blends fuel economy with performance, with projected best-in-class horsepower and torque along with Ford’s third-generation powersplit technology that allows for higher speed while in electric mode than Toyota Prius v.

C-MAX Hybrid benefits from 20 years of research and innovation behind the software and hardware technology driving it, with many of Ford’s almost 500 hybrid vehicle-related patents contained within.

That means that along with SYNC® with MyFord Touch®, drivers get class-exclusive features like hands-free liftgate (offering hands-free cargo access with a simple kicking motion), SmartGauge® with EcoGuide, regenerative braking and an advanced lithium-ion (li-ion) battery pack that is being used for the first time in a Ford hybrid.

C-MAX Hybrid – being built on Ford’s global C-segment platform – also benefits from a proven design and nameplate with more than 156,000 units of the gasoline version sold in Europe since its 2010 launch.

Room to move
C-MAX Hybrid is a compact hybrid utility vehicle jam-packed with features and room for five people and cargo.

The vehicle has a high roofline (63.9 inches) offering ample interior space and flexibility. C-MAX Hybrid offers 99.7 cubic feet of passenger space compared with 97 cubic feet in Prius v. The spacious C-MAX Hybrid also provides greater headroom in both front and rear seats than Prius v (41/39.4 inches vs. 39.6/38.6 inches).

For cargo, C-MAX Hybrid has 60/40 split-fold rear seats that easily fold flat with 54.3 cubic feet of space behind the first row and 24.5 cubic feet behind the second row.

Tech-savvy
C-MAX Hybrid features the company’s innovative hands-free liftgate, allowing for quick and easy access to the cargo area without messing with keys. A gentle kicking motion under the rear bumper opens the liftgate when used in combination with a key fob the user keeps in his or her pocket or purse that tells the car it’s OK to engage. The same motion can close the liftgate.

The vehicle also features the newest version of MyFord Touch to help inform, enlighten, engage and empower drivers. MyFord Touch offers multiple ways for customers to manage and control their phone, navigation, entertainment and climate functions through voice commands, menus accessed through controls on the steering wheel, touch screens, buttons or knobs.

C-MAX Hybrid also offers the next generation of SmartGauge with EcoGuide. Designed to help drivers get the most from the C-MAX Hybrid, information such as instantaneous fuel economy can be displayed on the left cluster to help drivers more closely monitor how their driving behavior affects the vehicle’s efficiency.

The left cluster also shows Brake Coach, a feature that helps drivers optimize their use of the braking system so that driving range can be enhanced through proper braking techniques. In the right cluster, redesigned imagery of green leaves shows overall driving efficiency – as drivers improve their efficient driving, they are rewarded with more leaves.


Quality and ingenuity
The 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid is new, but its software and hardware technology have been evolving for nearly two decades.

C-MAX Hybrid is powered through the combination of a gasoline engine and a battery-driven electric motor. When powered by gasoline, the C-MAX Hybrid uses the all-new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine – a powerful and fuel-efficient engine and among the most advanced non-turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains Ford has ever offered.

The electric motor of the C-MAX Hybrid is powered by an advanced li-ion battery system designed to maximize use of common, high-quality components, such as control board hardware that has proven field performance in Ford’s critically acclaimed hybrid vehicles.

C-MAX Hybrid also offers Ford’s next-generation powersplit architecture that allows the electric motor and gasoline-powered engine to work together or separately to maximize efficiency. The engine also can operate independently of vehicle speed, charging the batteries or providing power to the wheels as needed. The motor alone can provide sufficient power to the wheels in low-speed, low-load conditions and work with the engine at higher speeds.

In the C-MAX Hybrid, the li-ion battery pack is recharged when the gasoline engine is in operation. Further, the regenerative braking system can recapture more than 95 percent of the braking energy that would otherwise be lost, and is able to use that power to help charge the battery. C-MAX Hybrid requires no plug-in charging.

Made in U.S.A.
C-MAX Hybrid is being produced at Ford’s Wayne, Mich.-based Michigan Assembly Plant alongside Focus, Focus Electric and Focus ST. More information about MAP can be found online here.

Kansas City built Transit is finally seen
FordInsideNews.com
May 16, 2012
By: Austin Rutherford


Just a month after its all-new smaller sister debuted with the front wheel drive Transit Custom, the rear wheel drive Transit has had a design patent leak just months before it was suppose to debut. Thanks to JokeForBlog, we now have a good idea what the Kansas City built Transit will look like.

The design of the front is very close to the smaller Custom model, but after that the full-size van carries its own design due to the size difference. In the US, we will see this powered by at least a diesel and the 3.5L V6 EcoBoost.

Expect the vehicle to start sales next year in North America. European sales will most likely start sooner.

By Mike Magrath
May 16, 2012
Edmunds

The Wall Street Journal yesterday reported that GM would pull advertising from Facebook after the marketing team determined that the ads had little impact on consumers. I use Facebook and can confirm that the ads are, mostly, ineffective. This is a decision companies make every day. You don't run a successful company if you're not monitoring the ways you spend money and if you're not tracking the results of your actions. You've got to know when to hold them etc etc.

In other words, while this has two HUGE names involved (GM and Facebook), it's kind of a non-issue.

Or at least it was until Ford got into the mix.

Full text at link

By Drew Johnson
May 16th, 2012
LLN

Ford will lead the industry in vehicle updates between the 2013 and 2016 model years, a new report finds. That fresh lineup is also expected to help Ford grab a bigger share of the U.S. market.

According to a new Bank of America Merrill Lynch report, Ford will update 26 percent of its lineup between the 2013 and 2016 model years, besting General Motors’ 25 percent replacement rate. Toyota is expected to refresh 24 percent of its lineup during the period while Nissan will update 23 percent of its model range.

“As automakers emerge from the trough in the cycle, more are aiming to spur demand by launching fresh product rather than discounting stale models at the expense of margins,” leading analyst John Murphy wrote.

Full text at link

The Next Wave Begins
FordInsideNews.com
May 16, 2012
By: Austin Rutherford


Now that the Fusion/Mondeo and MkZ are nearing completion. Ford is putting all efforts into the next stage of CD4 on the front burner. FIN has now learned of some interesting information of this product cadence.

As part of its ultra secretive nature, Ford has named this second wave of mid-size products simply CD4.2. This CD4 program, like CD4.1, will further combine the efforts of Ford's subsidiaries and in the process will save the company money.

According to a source connected with the program, the next Ford Edge - including MkX - and S-Max will use the same modified CD4 platform. We expect them not to share body styles however since this would compromise their current segments. All three should have their own "top hats."

This raises the question: Will the Edge be produced in Europe and/or the S-Max in North America? This is not yet known, but we will tell you either way when we find out. What we can tell you is that the current Edge was deeply wanted by Ford of Europe, but the lack of a diesel killed it. This is a problem that the next Edge will not have.

As we have already discussed, the next Ford Edge will carry on the process of the engine downsizing seen with the Fusion in that there is no current plans to offer a V6 engine in the vehicle. However, the platform will be capable of a V6 for the MkX will continue on offering a V6 like that of the 2013 Lincoln MkZ.

Ford has also started work on a CD4.3 wave. What vehicle(s) lie in store here? Little is known at this point.

Expect both the next Edge, MkX, and S-Max to debut sometime next year with sales starting in the late 2013/2014 period.

Investor Warren Buffett buys 10 million shares of GM - Detroit Free Press
5:34 PM, May 15, 2012

Legendary investor Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway disclosed today that it had acquired 10 million shares of General Motors’ common stock.

Berkshire Hathaway purchased 10 million shares for a total investment of $256.6 million. Those shares were worth $214.2 million when the market closed today.

It was not immediately clear whether Buffett himself was involved in the investment, or whether it was made by one of his associates...

...“It confirms the investment thesis that we’ve had on GM,” Morningstar analyst Richard Hilgert said. “We definitely see some value there, just as Mr. Buffett does, and hopefully this will draw a little more attention to the stock from investors.”

GM's stock, which fell less than 1% today to close at $21.42, rose nearly 4% in after-hours trading...

German brands widen lead in U.S. luxury auto market - Detroit News
Mercedes, BMW pulling away from Cadillac, Lincoln
By Christine Tierney - May 14, 2012 at 8:37 am

As Germany's luxury carmakers battle among themselves for global leadership, they have widened their lead in the U.S. over other premium brands that have been left to breathe their fumes.

BMW and Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz are the top sellers of luxury cars in the U.S., while Volkswagen's Audi brand is growing fast and aims to boost its U.S. sales by more than 50 percent in six years...

...Detroit's premium brands — General Motors Co.'s Cadillac and Ford Motor Co.'s Lincoln — are falling behind, despite big comeback plans.

Competition in the increasingly crowded upscale segment is set to increase as laggards and newcomers compete against the revitalized Germans...

..."The Germans have gone berserk with product proliferation," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific Inc., a consulting firm in Tustin, Calif. "They have models for every segment and every subsegment."

From Audi's new A7 Sportback to BMW's compact X1 SUV and ActiveE electric cars, the Germans are filling in gaps and testing new engine technologies.

In the first four months of the year, BMW, Mercedes and Audi have expanded U.S. sales by 15 percent or more, while the leading Japanese and U.S. brands are treading water or retreating.

Cadillac's sales are down 23.9 percent this year. The drop reflects the end of production of the STS and DTS sedans that are being replaced by the soon-to-be-launched XTS, said Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell.

Lincoln sales are flat, and analysts say both of the U.S. premium brands have been hurt by a dearth of investment during the recent financial hardships...

...said Mark Templin, general manager of the Lexus brand at Toyota Motor Sales USA...
..."There's going to be more competition in the luxury space than ever before."

Luke Vandezande
May 15
AutoGuide

With two decades of Nissan Altimas under its belt, production began today on the fifth-generation 2013 model at the company’s Smyrna, Tenn. plant.

Counting more than 4.4 million units to date, the company’s latest offering is the first of five new Nissans scheduled over the next 15 months. As we reported from this year’s New York Auto Show, the 2013 Altima comes with a host of changes including “NASA insired space seats.” The new place to post your posterior is supposed to improve circulation and be more comfortable for people of any size with a more natural position.

Turn-by-turn directions delivered through a new four-inch display mounted between the speedometer also make it into the new model, as well as an efficient 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine that offers best-in-class fuel mileage (27/38 mpg city/highway). With only 182 hp on tap, though, the smaller engine still pales next to Nissan’s well-loved 3.5-liter V6 with 270 hp.

Full text at link

Ford’s April Share Surges In UK; Dips in Other European Markets As Industry Continues To Weaken
Ford Media

• In the UK – Ford’s largest sales market in Europe – April sales were up 4.3 per cent and market share increased 0.5 percentage points to 15.1 per cent
• Overall, Ford market share dipped by 0.3 percentage points to 7.7 per cent in its 19 traditional European markets in April; year-to-date share at 8.3* is equal to prior year
• Ford strengthened its No. 2 best-selling European brand position both in April and year-to-date
• Focus sales up by 64 per cent in April; best April and year-to-date market share since 2009
• Ford sales in Russia were up 26 per cent in April and 29 per cent year-to-date

COLOGNE, Germany, May 15, 2012 – Ford’s April vehicle sales in the UK – its largest European market – increased by 4.3 per cent to 24,400 vehicles and its market share rose 0.5 percentage points to 15.1 per cent.

Overall in its 19 traditional markets, Ford’s market share dipped by 0.3 percentage points to 7.7 per cent, on sales of 90,200 vehicles in April. Year-to-date, Ford’s market share was 8.3 per cent*, roughly equal to prior year versus the first four months of 2011.

“The UK was a bright spot for Ford in April, and while it was another difficult month for overall auto sales in Europe, we are relatively strong positioned due to a number of key product launches this year,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. “We recently started selling the new Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost and it’s off to a strong start. This year, we also will debut the new B-MAX; a completely redesigned Kuga SUV; the Focus and Fiesta ECOnetic Technology models, the Focus ST and the Transit Custom.”

In its total 51 European markets, Ford sold 115,700 vehicles in April, 10 per cent or 12,700 units lower compared with April 2011. In the first four months of the year, Ford sales in these markets totaled 501,000 vehicles, a reduction of 7.2 per cent on the same period last year.

In Russia, Ford sales totaled 12,400 in April and 39,700 year-to-date, up 26 per cent and 29 per cent, respectively. Ford’s market share grew by 0.3 percentage points to 4.3 per cent in April and April year-to-date.

In Eastern Europe, Ford’s sales were 4,400 units in April and 16,600 year-to-date, up 12 and 16 per cent on the same periods 2011, respectively.

Ford’s sales in Germany were 20,100 in April and 81,900 year-to-date, a reduction of 1,900 and 2,100 units versus last year. Share was 6.7 per cent in April, down from 7.5 per cent in April last year. Year-to-date, Ford’s share in Germany was 7.1 per cent, 0.3 percentage points lower than in the same period in 2011.

Ford retained market leadership in the UK in both April and throughout the year, whilst in Hungary Ford led the market in the first four months of the year. Ford increased its April market share in six of its 19 markets – in Austria, the UK, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, and Switzerland. Market share also increased in Russia and Romania.

By: James B. Treece
May 15, 2012
Automotive News

DETROIT -- Harold "Red" Poling, the CEO who helped revive Ford Motor Co. after steering the automaker through the recession of the early 1990s, died on Saturday in Pacific Grove, Calif. He was 86.

"Red Poling was an extraordinary leader who had a profound impact on Ford Motor Co. and everyone who worked with him," Executive Chairman Bill Ford said in a statement.

"With a list of accomplishments that span 43 years, including leading the company through a remarkable turnaround during the 1980s and 1990s, Red was respected by all for his leadership, his passion for being the low-cost producer and his genuine affinity for people."

Poling took over as CEO from Don Petersen in 1990 and was succeeded by Alex Trotman in 1993. Trotman died in 2005.

Financial leader

Poling made his mark on the company as a rigorous financial leader. His attention to costs allowed Ford to surpass the much-larger General Motors in profits in the late 1980s.

When Philip Caldwell took over from Henry Ford II as CEO on Oct. 1, 1979, becoming the first non-family member to head the automaker, Poling and Petersen were two of his key lieutenants. In 1986, with Petersen as CEO and Poling as president, Ford's profits topped GM's, $3.3 billion to $2.9 billion, for the first time since 1924.

Ford's profit rise continued, hitting a then-industry-record $5.3 billion 1988.

Poling joined Ford in 1951 as a cost analyst in the steel division controller's office. He rose through Ford's finance ranks, working at a variety of positions in Europe and North America.

His first appearance at a Ford board meeting, he once told a reporter, came when he was asked to run the slide projector during a review of whether Ford should sell its Rouge Steel operations, decades before Ford actually sold the unit.

Full text at link

Poling is in the middle

via Chris Doane on facebook...

Spied: 2013 Ford F-150 Arrives With Redesigned Grilles for FX4, XLT, and Lariat Models - Automobilemag
by Jake Holmes
May 14 2012 9:30 AM

These new spy photos reveal that the Ford F-150 pickup family will soon receive new grille designs. The F-150 FX4 and XLT trims receive grilles that resemble those of the larger Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks, while the Lariat model gets a restyled three-bar grille...

...This is probably the last refresh for this generation of the Ford F-150, which will likely be fully redesigned in the next two or three years. Expect Ford to officially announce the updates to the 2013 F-150 later this summer.

Read more: http://rumors.automobilemag.com/spie...#ixzz1utxqTwCO


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ditto: MotorTrend

Chevrolet Will Add New Small SUV to Global Lineup
Trax will debut at Paris Motor Show and be sold in more than 140 countries
2012-05-14
GM Media

DETROIT – The Chevrolet Trax, an all-new small sport utility vehicle, will join the Chevrolet global portfolio and make its debut at the Paris Motor Show in September.

With room for five passengers and class-leading cargo space, Trax will meet the needs of customers in more than 140 markets. Mexico will be the first market to launch the crossover in the fourth quarter of this year. Because of the strong position of the Equinox, there are no plans to introduce the Trax in the U.S. market.

“The Trax provides Chevrolet an entry into a growing small SUV segment and delivers the flexibility, great fuel economy and car-like handling that urban explorers around the world require,” said Mary Barra, GM senior vice president of Product Development. “After a record sales year in 2011 and a record first quarter, Chevrolet continues to meet customer needs by expanding its portfolio with strong new entries.”

Chevrolet has recently introduced a new Malibu mid-sized sedan, Colorado pickup, TrailBlazer mid-sized SUV and Cruze station wagon. When it joins its siblings in the showroom, Trax will possess the same pioneering spirit and expressive design that defines each new Chevrolet.

Trax exhibits its SUV toughness and capability in a small package through a muscular exterior design and wide athletic stance. While its contemporary form evolves the global Chevrolet design aesthetic, Trax’s interior and details will be executed to standards usually found in more expensive vehicles.

Can a mustang 4.0 be installed into a 98 explorer 4x4 automatic??

Jeremy Korzeniewski
Posted May 11th 2012 3:48PM

Carroll Shelby has passed away at the age of 89. The legendary tuner and proprietor of the famous marque that bears his name had been in the hospital for several weeks, suffering from pneumonia. Shelby addressed his fans fourteen days before his death, saying that he was resting comfortably and being taken care of by his children.

Anyone familiar in the least with automotive history is well aware of Shelby's vast vehicular exploits, so we'll just touch on them here. Carroll was a successful race car driver in the 1950s before creating his own racing team to take on the likes of Ferrari, using Ford-powered sportscar called the Cobra. Suffice it to say, Shelby and his Cobra were extremely successful. Later, Shelby's name would become synonymous with the fastest and most powerful Ford Mustang models ever created.

Shelby is survived by his three children Patrick, Michael and Sharon, his sister Anne Shelby Ellison of Fort Worth and his wife Cleo. An official press release can be found below. Show full PR text
LEGENDARY ENTREPRENEUR CARROLL SHELBY PASSES AWAY

Dallas – May 11, 2012 – Carroll Shelby International, Inc., (OTC: CSBI.PK) announced today that Carroll Hall Shelby, a man whose vision for performance transformed the automobile industry, has died at age 89. Mr. Shelby passed away yesterday at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Born on Jan. 11, 1923, Carroll Shelby was one of America's greatest success stories. Championship-winning racecar driver, "flying sergeant" wartime pilot, philanthropist, entrepreneur, car manufacturer and racing team owner, he embodied the ingenuity, tenacity and grit to overcome any obstacle. He is perhaps the only person to have worked at a visible level with all three major American automobile manufacturers.
Carroll Shelby founded Carroll Shelby International, a publicly held corporation involved in many industries. His licensing arm has agreements with industry giants, such as Mattel, Sony, Ford Motor Company and Electronic Arts. His car company, Shelby American, has a thriving parts business as well as a line of muscle cars including the Shelby GT500 Super Snake, Shelby GT350 and Shelby GTS. The Las Vegas-based company also manufactures a limited number of the 1960s Shelby 289 "street," 289 FIA, 427 S/C and Daytona Coupe Cobras.

Shelby considered his greatest achievement to be the establishment of the Carroll Shelby Foundation™. Created in 1992 while Shelby was waiting for a heart transplant, the charity is dedicated to providing medical assistance for those in need, including children, educational opportunities for young people through automotive and other training programs and benefitting the Carroll Shelby Automotive Foundation.

Shelby remained active in the management of each of his companies and the Foundation until his death, even though he endured both heart and kidney transplants in the last two decades of his life.

"We are all deeply saddened, and feel a tremendous sense of loss for Carroll's family, ourselves and the entire automotive industry," said Joe Conway, president of Carroll Shelby International, Inc. and board member. "There has been no one like Carroll Shelby and never will be. However, we promised Carroll we would carry on, and he put the team, the products and the vision in place to do just that."

Shelby is survived by his three children Patrick, Michael and Sharon, his sister Anne Shelby Ellison of Fort Worth and his wife Cleo. Funeral plans are not currently available. Donations to the Carroll Shelby Foundation are encouraged in lieu of flowers. Information about the Carroll Shelby Foundation is available at www.carrollshelbyfoundation.org.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/c...way-at-age-89/

A good friend of mine owns a carbon fiber (Real carbon fiber) business (G3 Composites LLC). He & I have been friends for over 10 years.

We're both enthusiasts as well, of course. All supplies are sourced from the USA & all work is done in the USA (He is based in FL)

I am posting to gauge interest on what folks may want.

I'd be happy to become a vendor if there was enough interest.

I just sent him several pieces from my Corvette that I should have soon. Can't wait to get them back. :)

Here is a link to some of the work he has done:
http://s1120.photobucket.com/albums/l496/g3Composites/

Thanks,
Tom

LINK to Photo bank from Car View

Colum Wood
May 11, 7:31 AM
AutoGuide

After losing its crown as the world’s largest automaker in 2011, Toyota looks to regain its position at the top of the heap, out-selling rivals General Motors and Volkswagen through the first quarter of this year.


With sales up 18 percent globally, Toyota moved 2.49 million vehicles, putting the Japanese auto giant just ahead of GM’s 2.28 million tally. Germany’s Volkswagen AG, which has said it will become number one on the list by 2018, currently sits third with 2.16 million units for the first three months of the year.

Toyota first claimed the top spot as the world’s largest automaker in 2008, aided by low sales for GM as it underwent bankruptcy protection.

Full text at link

Sales of Focus Up; China, Europe Hit the Wall
FordInsideNews
May 11, 2012
By: Austin Rutherford


Ford sales in the first quarter of 2012 were a double-edged sword. Even with higher sales in North America, Europe and China dragged total sales downward. Ford will have many new products in the coming months to help remedy both problems.

Ford of Europe is experiencing weakening demands for their products as the debt crisis continues. There is glimmer of hope however out of the storm for market share is on the rise. Sales of vehicles like the Focus are gaining traction allowing for this increase.

Even though many companies are slowing development of models, or canceling them altogether, Ford of Europe is pulling a page out from Ford of North America’s handbook: When in recession, speed up development. Over the course of 2012 to the end of 2013, Europe will released all-new versions of the Ranger, Transit, Kuga, Mondeo, S-Max, and Galaxy with many other all-new, face lifted, or new derivatives of models coming as well.

One of the big reasons European margins are hurting is overcapacity. Ford will however be adding capacity. “Madness!” you say? Well Ford will be putting its cheap labor Romanian plant into full swing for the all-new B-Max. Instead of very low margins like that of competitors, Ford will be allowed to make more money for the vehicle than if it was made in Western Europe. Ford will also start production of two plants in Russia, which will produce vehicles like the Explorer and Transit.

Even if European sales stay at their low rates, Ford of Europe’s sales could actually rise a lot thanks to these new, “cheap” plants.

Ford of China’s sales fell 16% in the first quarter. This, however, can be contributed almost by the Ford Focus switchover. The all-new Ford Focus launched late in April and curved sales of the older model as customers waited for the improved third generation. The fall, however, does show a sour point at Ford China.

The Ford Focus makes up roughly one fourth of Ford’s Chinese sales. Any disruption in its chain causes the entire endeavor to show a loss. Even with Ford adding products like the Kuga, EcoSport, and Explorer this year and in 2013, Ford needs to diversify their Chinese lineup further. Three cars, in sedan and hatch, are not enough. Whether Ford needs to release cheaper cars in segments with the Ford brand or not, more cars from the A00 to the C segment (Chinese segmentation) is needed if Ford wants to grow is all fields of the Chinese auto industry.

Even with sales being lower due to debt and foreseeable product shifts, there were many bright lights in Ford’s sales. North American sales were up thanks to a lift in the United States. The biggest gainer in this market, and the world, was the Focus. The Focus was so popular in March that it likely scored over 100,000 units globally. Compared to the same period in 2011, 2012 saw sales of the Focus rise nearly 14% globally. Expect sales of the Focus to rise even more as plants in China and Thailand come online. Ford F-Series (North American), Explorer, and Edge all saw nice gains from the previous years.

Ford is not standing still. In the coming months, Ford will release the all-new B-Max in Europe and the all-new Ranger will start production and sales in South America. Ford of North America will start the global debut of the all-new Escape/ Kuga in May, while Ford Asia Pacific and Africa will have opened two all-new plants for the third gen Focus.


If you have any figures of markets not listed, please tell us in the comments section. Big thanks to Matt of Best Selling Cars.

Markets included in the first quarter were Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Vietnam.


Sales by Category

1. Ford Focus - 236,261
2. Ford Fiesta(World/LA) - 189,246
3. Ford F-Series(World)/ Lobo - 170,913
4. Ford Escape/ Kuga - 91,632
5. Ford Fusion(World) - 69,460
6. Ford Transit V,VII - 56,650
7. Ford Mondeo - 40,636
8. Ford Edge - 39,298
9. Ford Explorer - 38,444
10. Ford C-Max - 32,636
11. Ford E-Series - 31,125
12. Ford Figo/ Ikon(Mx) - 25,154
13. Ford Mustang - 21,497
14. Ford Ka(Euro) - 20,810
15. Ford Ranger(World) - 19,423
16. Ford Transit Connect - 19,350
17. JMC Boadian/ BD-Series/ Boarding/ JX-Series - 18,720
18. Ford Ka(S.Am.) - 16,643
19. Ford Taurus - 16,563
20. JMC Qingka/ Carrying/ Convey - 16,543
21. Ford Ranger II - 16,039
22. Ford EcoSport - 14,548
23. Ford S-Max - 13,319
24. Ford Expedition - 11,154
25. Ford Flex - 7,671
26. Lincoln MkZ - 7,302
27. Lincoln MkX - 7,277
28. Ford Galaxy - 7,217
29. Ford Cargo - 6,835
30. Ford Falcon - 4,891
31. Ford Fusion(Euro) - 4,675
32. Ford Fiesta(Indian)/ Ikon(S.Af.) - 4,596
33. Ford Territory - 3,884
34. Ford Crown Victoria - 3,827
35. JMC Yusheng - 3,653
36. Lincoln MkS - 3,420
37. Landwind/ X6/ X8/ X9 - 3,354
38. Ford F-Series(S.Am.) - 2,240
39. Lincoln Navigator - 2,206
40. Ford Courier - 1,825
41. Ford MkT - 1,608
42. Ford Heavy Trucks - 1,425
43. Ford Econovan - 904
44. Ford Everest/ Endeavor - 742
45. Ford Bantam - 737
46. Lincoln Town Car - 477
47. Troller T4 - 237
48. Ford I-Max - 236
49. Landwind Fashion/ CV9 - 171

Lincoln Mark LT - Unknown

*Models that have ended production are in BOLD*

Sales by Category

Cars
City - 20,810
Sub-Compact - 235,639
Compact - 236,261
Mid-Size - 117,398
Full-Size - 29,178

Utility Vehicles including MPVs
Sub-Compact - 19,223
Compact - 125,654
Mid-Size - 116,446
Full-Size - 22,639

Trucks & Ute Vans
Sub-Compact - 2,562
Compact - 54,109
Mid-Size - 20,327
Full-Size - 260,928
Medium Duty - 1,425
Cab-Over - 23,378

Specialty
Pony Car - 21,497

Ford Plans to More Than Triple EcoBoost-Powered Car Output for Europe by 2015 as Engine Production Starts at New Plant
Ford Media

• Ford of Europe will more than triple the annual production of vehicles equipped with fuel-efficient EcoBoost petrol engines to approximately 480,000 by 2015 from 141,000 in 2011; more than 300,000 of the projected total will be equipped with the new 1.0-litre EcoBoost
• Ford formally kicks off 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine production today in Craiova, Romania; Ford’s EcoBoost engine family combines turbocharging, direct fuel injection and variable valve timing to deliver the power of a larger engine with fuel efficiency of a smaller unit
• Ford will produce more than 1.3 million low-CO2 EcoBoost engines for its European vehicles over the period 2012-2015: more than 800,000 of those are expected to be the new 1.0-litre EcoBoost
• Ford of Europe expects to double the number of models offering EcoBoost engines over the same 2012-2015 period

COLOGNE, Germany, May 10, 2012 – Ford of Europe is planning to more than triple the production of its vehicles equipped with fuel-efficient and powerful EcoBoost petrol engines to approximately 480,000 in 2015, from 141,000 last year. More than 300,000 of that projected yearly output will be vehicles equipped with the new 1.0-litre EcoBoost.

The announcement comes as production of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost begins at Ford’s new plant in Craiova, Romania. Ford’s high-tech, EcoBoost global family of engines combine turbocharging, direct fuel injection and variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust to deliver the power of a larger engine with the fuel efficiency of a smaller unit.

Ford plans to build 800,000 vehicles equipped with the class-leading 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine for the continent between 2012-2015 in Romania and Cologne, Germany. A total of 1.3 million EcoBoost engines of all displacements will be built for European cars over the time period.

“Our EcoBoost plans are aggressive, but we believe as customers experience this engine family, they’ll understand why,” said Sherif Marakby, powertrain director, Ford of Europe. “We’re at the cutting edge of innovation and the 1.0-litre engine cannot be matched for its balance of efficiency, power and refinement.”

The production expansion is accompanied by an increase in the availability of EcoBoost engines across the model line-up in the European Ford range. The number of Ford models available with EcoBoost engines will double to 10 from five by 2015 when EcoBoost engines will power more than half of all Ford of Europe petrol-engined cars.

EcoBoost was introduced in Europe in late 2010 in 1.6-litre displacement for the C-MAX and both 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre displacements for the S-MAX, Galaxy and Mondeo. In 2011, the European range was extended to include Focus with EcoBoost.

This year, the new three-cylinder, 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine was introduced in the Focus to wide acclaim from the media for best-in-class fuel efficiency and surprising performance and refinement. The new engine will be offered later this year in the C-MAX and new B-MAX, and then to several other Ford vehicles in the future.

This popularity and expansion of the EcoBoost range is forecast to see production of these engines grow to 330,000 next year, accounting for 44 percent of all Ford of Europe petrol engines produced, rising to a 57 percent share in 2015.

Ford of Europe is also on course to produce a further 800,000 EcoBoost engines for markets outside Europe during 2015, up from 90,000 in 2011. There are now more than 180,000 EcoBoost vehicles on the road in North America alone.

“Whether it’s the 125PS 1.0-litre version in the Focus or the high-performance 250PS 2.0-litre version in the upcoming Focus ST, EcoBoost delivers a combination of fuel efficiency and performance that would have seemed impossible in a petrol engine just a few years ago,” said Barb Samardzich, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe. “It provides all the performance, refinement and torque customers want with the fuel consumption of smaller engines.”

In addition to doubling the total 1.0-litre EcoBoost production capacity potential for Europe, Ford’s Craiova manufacturing facility also will soon be producing the all-new B-MAX, which is due to go on sale later this year.

“Today brings a previously unseen level of high technology manufacturing to this part of Europe,” said Dirk Heller, Ford of Europe’s director for manufacturing and powertrain operations. “With pivotal products such as the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine and the new B-MAX being produced here, Craiova is very important to Ford’s future success in Europe.”

Production of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engines began at Ford’s engine plant in Cologne in November 2011. The 1.6-litre variant is produced at Bridgend, in Wales, while the 2.0-litre EcoBoost engines are produced in Valencia, Spain.

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