One was Ford's latest plan--a strange idea--of naming all Ford models with the letter F.
Three Ford models are represented, including the Focus Electric and the Fusion and C-Max Hybrids, as well as the new-for-2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid.
The updates will first appear in some 2010 Ford models later this year and will be assimilated into all Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury models by 2011.
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After enduring a much-publicised recall of 6.5 million Firestone tyres, which are thought to be linked to crashes of Ford Explorer models, Ford is taking no chances in losing market share in promoting its vehicles as both safe and tough.
Current Ford Focus models sold in the U.S. don't use turbochargers to improve performance and mileage.
In those days through the different brands and subsidiary companies Ford offered 97 models.
Ultimately, Ford wants multiple models coming off just ten frames worldwide, with 600, 000 units sold apiece.
Ford offered 10 models with AppLink last year, and plans to roll out more this year, Mr. VanDagens says.
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While Toyota has focused its electrified-vehicle efforts on conventional hybrids, and General Motors has emphasized its Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, after a long and unspectacular record of offering conventional-hybrid versions of some of its most popular conventional models Ford has begun determinedly fielding a wide variety of new electrified vehicles.
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Fusion is the first of ten new Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models that will share a modified chassis borrowed from Mazda, Ford's Japanese affiliate.
For 2013 models, Ford is rolling out its more advanced in-dash system, called MyFord Touch.
With so many distinct models, Ford is considering different ad campaigns for each one.
By sharing under-the-skin components among many models, Ford plans to squeeze out waste and to speed development time.
The light-duty car category excludes some pickup trucks that are marketed to consumers, like the Ford F250 and F350 models.
With four new engine choices, the new pickups will get up to 20 percent better gas mileage than the 2010 models, Ford says.
Automakers are just showing what they can do with plug-in cars, and the Volt and Leaf, plus new models from Ford, Toyota and Honda will lead many more drivers to switch.
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Some printers rely on other technologies, many of which are rooted in the world of rapid prototyping, a category of fabrication that has been around for decades and used by companies like Boeing and Ford to created scale models of concepts.
It will be at least two years before the new system bears fruit: The Ford Futura is the first of as many as 10 new Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models to be built off the same underpinning used for the Mazda 6 midsize sedan. (Ford has a controlling stake in Mazda.) In all, Ford's domestic brands plan to introduce 65 new or redesigned vehicles in the next five years.
Haaren points to new WiFi-equipped Ford, Chevrolet and Mercedes models, which turn cars into internet hotspots on wheels.
The computer models also guide Ford in keeping incentives at a level at which sales won't outstrip factory capacity.
The new services will be available on nearly all 2010 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models with no initial monthly subscription fees, thanks to three years of service included with a new vehicle purchase.
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Nearly all of its factories, including the three being converted to carmaking, will be equipped with machinery that will allow Ford to switch among multiple models and thus respond more quickly to changing consumer demands.
The Japanese makers dominated the mid-sized car segment years, but lately, U.S. carmakers have been showering more love on their passenger cars, and it shows in their latest models like the Ford Fusion and Chevrolet Malibu, which are better-looking, better-equipped and more refined than their predecessors.
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Among several new fuel-frugal electrified models for 2013, Ford pulls the wraps off the tall-roofed C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid wagons.
Ford plans to introduce 15 new models in China by 2015, and is building five new manufacturing facilities and bringing its Lincoln luxury brand there in 2014.
Others, including Toyota and Ford, have started to market new models that are supposed to arrive at the dealers shortly.
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In total, Ford plans to launch 15 new car models by 2015.
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Over the past five years, Ford has brought out only 15 new models, in a market where its rivals are bringing out new model variations as frequently as possible.
Ford plans to introduce four new Lincoln models over the next four years, but its first one, a redesigned MKZ, is only trickling into dealerships as Ford works to ensure quality.
To get new models in showrooms faster, Ford is adopting many of the product-development processes used by its nimbler Japanese partner, Mazda (where Fields fashioned a successful turnaround earlier in the decade).
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