Story: DAVID WILKINS
Ford CEO Alan Mulally has unveiled ambitious new plans to fight back against the gloom that overhangs the motor industry in Europe.
The Ford boss was speaking at the company’s “Go Further” event in Amsterdam, which was attended by thousands of dealers and journalists and streamed online to an international audience.
Mulally explained how the implementation of the “One Ford” programme would be accelerated, with more “global” as opposed to Europe-specific Fords being sold to business users in Ford dealerships in future.
The proportion is expected to increase from 43 per cent to 71 per cent of sales over five years as the company floods its showrooms with dozens of new models. As Ford’s European boss Stephen Odell put it, Ford was moving from being “a European brand to a global brand in Europe”.
New technology for everyone One of Ford’s big themes is the democratisation of technology and this featured prominently at Amsterdam too.
Mulally’s top team highlighted innovations such as:
- the new turbocharged three-cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine in the Ford Mondeo (see our news story Cracking EcoBoost engine for next Mondeo);
- the introduction of SYNC voice recognition technology in the European market; and
- MyKey – a system that allows parents to limit a car’s performance when it is being used by inexperienced teenage drivers.
Updated Fiesta On the car side, there was an updated version of the Fiesta, which gets the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine; Ford reckons that switch will produce a 20% improvement in fuel consumption over a standard petrol engine. There will also be two non-turbocharged versions of the same basic engine with power outputs of 60 and 85PS. Also at Amsterdam was the new 182PS Fiesta ST. Ford says that one’s good for 0 to 62mph in 6.9 seconds.
All-new Mondeo displayed
The all-new Mondeo was also on show in hatch, saloon and estate forms. Innovations include inflatable rear seat-belts and again the adoption of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, which should put the Mondeo into the sub-130g/km class. There will also be a Mondeo hybrid.
Watch out! The Mustang is coming
For small business owners who want to drive something a little different, a little more individual, then here’s some terrific business car news: Ford confirmed that the Mustang would become a full member of its European line-up.
Compact SUV to go on sale Ford will also greatly increase its exposure to the SUV sector, the only part of the market that is really growing in Europe. As well as a new Kuga, Ford will offer the smaller EcoSport in Europe within eighteen months.
The EcoSport has been sold in South America since 2003 but the latest model has been developed under “One Ford” to be sold around the world. Again, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine will be offered.
Although Ford thinks its smaller SUVs will deliver most future growth, it will also import the larger Edge to Europe, where the company is aiming for SUV sales of one million in the next six years. New Transit and Transit Connect
Ford will also unveiled a complete renewal of its commercial vehicle range. The Transit, traditionally a European model, is going global, and also becoming a range of vans rather than a single model line. The main Transit model gets bigger to cover the two tonne market. It’s joined by the slightly smaller Transit Custom – aimed at small business trades – and a new Transit Connect (see our BusinessVans website Ford unveils new-generation Transits).
Finally, Ford teased a much smaller van, the Courier, at Amsterdam. New Tourneo large MPV
The new CV line-up will also provide the base for a range of people-carrying Tourneo models, expected to be far more polished than previous car-based MPVs. At Amsterdam, the Tourneo version of the Transit Connect in particular drew a lot of attention and promises to be a strong competitor for car-based vans from Volkswagen, Renault and Citroen.
For small businesses and business car managers, the ‘One Ford’ plan looks like it’s going to bring great benefits in terms of wider choice – and, for company car drivers – lower company car tax thanks to new engine tech.
