Ford banks on new products

[tgagneguam]

Ford banks on new products

Firm to roll out four new models in '05.

By Eric Mayne / The Detroit News

2005 Ford Mustang

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - Ford Motor Co. is counting on a slew of new products, including the hotly anticipated new version of the Mustang pony car, to help the blue oval brand pull out of its long market share decline.

In addition to the Mustang, Ford is rolling out three other key products for the 2005 model year, the new Five Hundred sedan, Freestyle crossover and redesigned F-Series Super Duty pickup.

"A large part of what we'll do will depend on how fast the new product starts to arrive," said Ford division president Steve Lyons.

With the exception of the new F-150 pickup, which was redesigned for 2004, the Ford showroom lacks fresh cars and trucks to win new buyers.

"Today, we're selling one car - Focus," he said. "Taurus is Taurus. (Its) retail numbers are very low. Crown Victoria is all fleet and we haven't built one Mustang since April."

Ford expects to see an immediate boost when the new retro-styled Mustang debutsin October. The Mustang has tens of thousands of loyal buyers eager to get their hands on the latest evolution....

FORD, MAKE A COMEBACK

[MN12Fan]

We will.

[dav305z]

the Mustang definately will be a hit. however, i dont see it being the sort of product that will get back market share considering that ford already sells loads of them. besides, these one model wonders arent what save companies. for instance, many credit the viper and other "concept to production" cars with saving Chrysler, when in fact that honor goes to the lowly K-car.
my point is that as good and exciting as cars like the mustang are, ford's real future lies in how well the mainstream products sell, and from what i've read of the 500, im not incredibly optimistic.

[gmsickofan]

When is the Ford Futura coming out? Why is it taking so long???

[MN12Fan]

Originally posted by gmsickofan@Sep 23 2004, 02:14 PM
When is the Ford Futura coming out?  Why is it taking so long???

Jeez, dude, where've you been ? The Futura name was dropped months ago after a legal battle with Pep Boys which claims the rights to the name for its Futura brand of tires. Ford changed the name of the Futura to the Fusion as a result. It should be noted that the Fusion is not the vehicle by the same name that Ford sells outside the U.S. The American Fusion is a mid-size sedan based on the Mazda 6 platform while the Fusion sold in Europe and elsewhere is a small, diesel-powered crossover vehicle that Ford refers to as an "Urban Activity Vehicle" (UAV). The American version of the Ford Fusion will go on sale next fall as a 2006 model year vehicle with its corporate siblings, the Mercury Milan and the Lincoln Zephyr. Near-production versions of the Fusion and the Milan will be unveiled at the NAIAS in January; the Zephyr has already been officially unveiled.



Conceptual drawing of the 2006 Ford Fusion (known as Futura at the time).



Spy shot of an actual Fusion posted here on GMInsidenews about a month ago. More pictures: http://www.gminsidenews.com/forum/index.ph...?showtopic=7237



Conceptual drawing of the 2006 Mercury Milan.



The 2006 Lincoln Zephyr.

[ByTheLake]

It seems that in a few years, Lincoln and Buick could be comparable. Lincoln doesn't seem to be able to follow Cadillac, not in platforms or engines.

Should be interesting to see how the market accepts these new vehicles. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury seem to be embracing a clean, almost sanitized look. If that works for them, great. If the public demands more of a visual impact, that could be trouble for Ford.

[dav305z]

Originally posted by ByTheLake@Sep 24 2004, 02:09 AM
It seems that in a few years, Lincoln and Buick could be comparable. Lincoln doesn't seem to be able to follow Cadillac, not in platforms or engines.

Should be interesting to see how the market accepts these new vehicles. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury seem to be embracing a clean, almost sanitized look. If that works for them, great. If the public demands more of a visual impact, that could be trouble for Ford.

i think ur right. ford has turned its luxury efforts to jag, landrover, and to a lesser degree, volvo. its kind of a shame really.

[MN12Fan]

I think it is widely due to financial concerns; that's what the pundits are saying at least. Ford just doesn't have the money to back Lincoln the way the want to and, as such, have to start from the lower-end of the market to recover the losses before they can aim high again. It is sad, but is necessary nonetheless.

[AdmiralViscen]

I think this trio has a great look. Not everything has to be a Cadillac.