New and updated models should help Ford prosper this year.
The Ford Motor Company is fresh off a banner year one, that despite sales that remain off of highs reached just five years ago, are more profitable for the Blue Oval. This company, founded in 1903, continues to make the changes necessary to remain competitive. For 2012, the following auto trends should help Ford set or keep pace:
Ford Escape — The compact Escape has been a huge hit for Ford. This five passenger crossover is currently available in front- and all-wheel-drive and offers four and six cylinder gasoline engine choices. The new model will be slightly smaller and lighter, and will feature a family of three four cylinder gas engines. Gone are the V-6 and the hybrid as Ford believes that it can maintain lofty sales with the newest iteration of the Escape. This model will feature the latest in Ford MyTouch infotainment technology and also include hands-free liftgate activation. The 2013 edition goes on sale this spring.
Ford C-Max — Where did the Ford Escape hybrid technology go? To the Ford C-Max, that is where. Actually, the old nickel-metal hydride system will be replaced by lithium-ion batteries and be placed in a new model: the C-Max Hybrid and the C-Max Energi, one offering standard hybrid technology, the other sold as a plug-in hybrid. This vehicle will be underpinned by Ford’s compact car platform and go on sale later in the year. Don’t expect it t be a big seller, but it will enable Ford to launch a line of vehicles to take on Toyota’s Prius line.
Ford Transit — Ford won’t be dropping its full-size Econoline vans just yet, but it will supplement its line up with the Ford Transit (business edition, pictured), a full-size van that has been sold in Europe for many years. This vehicle may be sold as the T-Series stateside according to Autoblog to avoid confusion with the compact Transit Connect. In any case these T-250, T-350 and T-450 models will be sold by next year with production expected to commence before 2012 ends. Ford says that the new Transit will offer a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy over the Econoline, in part by offering a 300 pound lighter frame.
EcoBoost Distribution — Look for Ford to continue to expand EcoBoost availability in the coming year. New 2012 models with EcoBoost, technology that includes direct injection and turbocharging, are the Ford Explorer and Ford Edge. The 2013 Ford Escape will also offer EcoBoost and we’ll see the updated 2013 Ford Taurus outfitted with an optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost four, a small engine for a large car. Ford will offer EcoBoost in 90 percent of its vehicles by 2014.
Longer term, we’ll see a replacement for the Ford Mustang in time for its 2015 silver anniversary model. Expect that car to debut on April 17, 2014, exactly 50 years to the date of the original model. Ford’s pickup trucks will undergo an update just before then and we may see an all-new Ford Ranger pickup truck in the lineup although it may be imported from Thailand. Finally, if Chevrolet sees some success with its A-segment Spark, the similar sized Ford Ka could be the next car taken from Europe and sold in the United States and Canada, one of several auto trends will be following.
Photo: Ford Motor Company
