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Viknesh Vijayenthiran
Ford’s new Fiesta sub-compact is about to go on sale across the country and just around the corner is a new global Focus. Both of these European designed cars will be manufactured in North America for the first time and there is much more to come, including exporting these locally built models back to Europe and other global markets.
The new move is all part of Ford CEO Alan Mulally’s “One Ford” strategy to sell the same vehicles in various global markets with only minor differentiation. America’s weak dollar has also helped accelerate plans to start production of European models in North America and then export them.
After the Fiesta and Focus, Ford will start production of the Kuga compact crossover, which is expected to go on sale in local showrooms in late 2011 and eventually spawn versions for the Mercury and Lincoln brands. For Ford, it will replace the current Escape crossover.
Other European models in the pipeline include the C-Max compact MPV, the Transit Connect small van and the Transit full-sized van--all of which could potentially be built in North America and exported overseas, and help secure more local jobs.
[Automotive News, sub req’d]
Euro-spec 2011 Ford Fiesta in New York CityEnlarge Photo Ford’s new Fiesta sub-compact is about to go on sale across the country and just around the corner is a new global Focus. Both of these European designed cars will be manufactured in North America for the first time and there is much more to come, including exporting these locally built models back to Europe and other global markets. The new move is all part of Ford CEO Alan Mulally’s “One Ford” strategy to sell the same vehicles in various global markets with only minor differentiation. America’s weak dollar has also helped accelerate plans to start production of European models in North America and then export them. After the Fiesta and Focus, Ford will start production of the Kuga compact crossover, which is expected to go on sale in local showrooms in late 2011 and eventually spawn versions for the Mercury and Lincoln brands. For Ford, it will replace the current Escape crossover. Other European models in the pipeline include the C-Max compact MPV, the Transit Connect small van and the Transit full-sized van--all of which could potentially be built in North America and exported overseas, and help secure more local jobs. [Automotive News, sub req’d]
Responses (2 total)
By Tall1 #1, Posted: 11/2/2009
I hope Ford does not make the mistake of terminating the Escape name and introducing yet another unknown name here like Kuga. So many dollars are spent establishing a brand and vehicle name and when you terminate them and introduce a new name you are starting from scratch. It makes sense if the vehicle you are replacing had an image issue with the public, but many times this is not the case (i.e. Escort, Cavalier, Festiva, Tempo, etc.).
By OnlyInAmerica #2, Posted: 11/2/2009
According to UAW rank and file, Ford should choose to export from Canada (via CAW) and Mexico rather than here in the US. Ford will remain cost non-competitive for small 'world' vehicle production in the US. Sorry Louisville, looks like Kuga will have to go North.
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