By SARAH A. WEBSTER Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford said that Ford is on track to reach profitability in 2009 despite hiccups in the economy. "That's still our goal," he told reporters after the unveiling of the new Ford F-150 Sunday. He said that while the economy is a concern, the automaker is in much better position to weather economic ups and downs. He credited CEO Alan Mulally for his leadership and for bringing costs under control. Along with the F-150, Ford also unveiled its new small-car concept and a concept for the future of the Explorer franchise. A sporty new subcompact car, suspended in air with cables, slowly descended through a crowd of smoke onto the stage at Cobo Arena. After the rouge-red car landed, Ford executive Jim Farley unveiled the Verve concept with a simple message: "Verve is our future." After 10 years without a subcompact model below its Focus model, Ford is getting ready to bring its hot, sporty small cars to the United States, after having success with them in Europe for years. The new small car won't hit showrooms until 2010. Ford also showed a hatchback version. Hatchbacks have been popular in Europe, but less so in the United States. So Farley encouraged customers to give Ford their thoughts on the new hatchback. The vehicle would be sold in the United States if Ford receives the right customer response. Ford is relying on cars like the Verve to help differentiate its truck-dependent lineup in the future. Last year, Ford's sales in the United States fell 12% compared to 2006. Another part of that change is a unibody version of the Explorer SUV. Ford unveiled the rounded and contemporary-looking Explorer America concept, which showcases the engineering advances Ford will use to boost the fuel economy of future vehicles. From lightweight body construction to turbocharged direct-injection engines, the Explorer America relies on available technologies instead of the futuristic drivetrains many concept vehicles claim to use. Combining direct gasoline injection and turbocharging produces a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 275 horsepower and a 3.5-liter V6 generating 340 horsepower. A car-like unibody chassis, six-speed automatic transmission, lightweight materials and energy-efficient accessories like electric power steering would boost fuel economy 25% to 35% versus the current Explorer. Source: Freep |
|
|
|