Ford Well Positioned For Changing Consumer Car and Truck Expectations With 2007-Model Lineup
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DEARBORN, MI - June 21, 2006: Ford Motor Company is kicking off its 2007-model year with a lineup of new cars, crossovers, hybrids, SUVs and trucks that puts the company in its best position ever to face a rapidly changing car-buying market and to attract new customers. "Ford never has been in a better position than this model year to compete for customers in an environment of rising gas prices and higher demand for more power, more performance and more features," says Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas. "We're also leading the way with bold American designs and innovations in our new vehicles hitting the market this summer and fall."
Today, Ford Motor Company has 12 vehicles that are rated at 30 mpg highway or better by the EPA. Such impressive fuel efficiency is achieved in part by Ford's leadership in 6-speed transmissions. Ford already has more than a million vehicles on the road with 6-speed transmissions, and the company plans to produce about 1.3 million annually by 2008. For the 2007-model year, Ford is equipping five additional vehicles in its lineup with 6-speeds.
In addition, Ford's all-new 3.5-liter V-6 engine, which debuts this model year, is designed to deliver impressive refinement, acceleration and fuel economy. The engine eventually will power one out of five Ford Motor Company vehicles in North America.
2007 Ford Edge, Shelby GT500, Expedition and Expedition EL
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Leading the way for the Ford brand is the new 2007 Ford Edge, which goes on sale in November. With its bold design, 265 horsepower V-6 and fuel-efficient 6-speed transmission, Edge is expected to be a hit in the crossover market, the fastest-growing segment in the industry.
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Also coming is the 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 -- the most powerful factory built Mustang ever. GT500 goes on sale in June, integrating classic Shelby design cues into a modern interpretation of the legendary Shelby Mustangs of the 1960s.
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The new Expedition EL and redesigned Expedition offer interior refinement and more capability for full-size SUV buyers. An upgraded frame, fully independent suspension and increased noise insulation deliver class-leading interior quietness. The independent rear suspension enables comfortable third-row seating and available PowerFold(TM) third-row seats that fold flat with the push of a button. Expedition also delivers a class-leading 9,200-pound towing capacity.
A new long-wheelbase Expedition EL features 24 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the easy-to-use third-row seats. Both vehicles go on sale in September.
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Already on sale is the 2007 Explorer Sport Trac. It is an all-new version of Ford's groundbreaking sport-utility truck. Sport Trac features a new independent rear suspension, a stiffer frame, new V-8 engine and class-exclusive 6-speed automatic. Sport Trac also offers a dent-resistant, rust-proof composite bed with tiered storage and three integrated storage bins hidden in the bed floor.
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In addition to the all-new products, the Ford lineup receives significant model upgrades:
* Ford's truck leadership is extended, with an unmatched lineup of more than 60 unique F-Series offerings, including the new F-150 FX2 Sport package available on 4x2 XLT SuperCab or Super Crew with a Styleside box. With a maximum tow rating of 10,500 pounds when properly equipped and maximum payload capacity of 3,050 pounds, the F-150 is the most capable full-size pickup in its class. The 2007 Super Duty is available with a new, chrome-trimmed Lariat Highline Edition or with a black monotone Lariat Outlaw Package.
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2007 Lincoln MKX, MKZ, Navigator and Navigator L
Three new Lincoln products are moving the brand to a modern vision of luxury.
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The new Lincoln MKX brings American luxury to the crossover segment. Lincoln MKX's elegant design is combined with a confident stance and technology advances, such as adaptive headlamps that move with the steering wheel, a panoramic glass roof, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, 14-speaker THX(R) II Certified audio system and DVD-based navigation. Lincoln MKX is a five-passenger crossover powered by Ford's new 265 hp 3.5-liter engine with a class-leading 6-speed transmission and fully independent suspension.
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The new 3.5-liter V-6 engine also is featured in the 2007 Lincoln MKZ midsize sedan, which builds on the successful Lincoln Zephyr. The 3.5-liter in the Lincoln MKZ is rated at 263 horsepower and is paired with a fuel-efficient 6-speed transmission. The all-aluminum, four-valve engine features intake variable cam timing, delivering exceptional refinement and more power than comparable V-6 engines from GM, Nissan, Chrysler and Honda. With the new engine, the Lincoln MKZ has been retuned to deliver a more athletic driving experience.
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Two new Lincoln SUVs also debut this year -- the redesigned Navigator and new Navigator L. They bring more refinement, more capability and more style to the luxury SUV segment -- a segment created by the original 1998 Lincoln Navigator. The redesigned Navigator features a bold chrome grille, standard HID headlights, power-deployable running boards and available 20-inch chrome wheels. Inside, the Navigator features book-matched wood trim, satin-nickel metal finishes and Lincoln signature seating with available climate control. The all-new Navigator L extends the Navigator line with a 14.7-inch longer wheelbase and 25 cubic feet of cargo space.
Milan, Montego and Mariner Continue Attracting New Customers to Mercury
The Mercury brand continues to successfully carve out a unique position in the market.
"Mercury is no longer trying to appeal to the masses," says Fields. "We are repositioning Mercury as the 'Metro Cool' brand that appeals to people who we define as savvy individualists. They want a vehicle that is differentiated by sophisticated styling and offers features that keep them connected to the world."
Today's Mercury Milan, Mariner and Montego already are helping reach this target customer. Nearly 50 percent of Milan and Mariner customers are conquest sales -- buyers who normally do not consider Ford, Lincoln or Mercury.
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For 2007, the Mercury Milan will offer new features, such as all-wheel drive, DVD-based navigation, SIRIUS satellite radio and an auxiliary audio input jack.
Milan now comes with standard anti-lock brakes, side-impact air bags for the driver and front passenger, side curtain air bags for both rows and an anti-theft perimeter alarm system. Traction control also is now standard on V-6 models.
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Montego receives increased safety features as standard equipment for 2007, including traction control, front-seat-mounted side air bags and Ford's Safety Canopy side curtains with rollover protection. Also new for 2007 are SIRIUS satellite radio, an 18-inch chrome wheel option and two new exterior colors.
Ford Dominates All-Wheel-Drive Market
Ford leads the industry in delivering all-wheel and four-wheel drive capability -- in line with a growing trend among buyers. The demand for all-wheel-drive vehicles is fueled in part by owners who are leaving the SUV segment but do not want to sacrifice the security and traction of all-wheel drive.
Ford research shows that 73 percent of current SUV drivers want all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive in their next vehicle. In the luxury market, 50 percent of owners want all-wheel drive on their cars or trucks.
With the addition of five new all-wheel drive models for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, Ford Motor Company offers more all-wheel drive models than any other manufacturer. Ford Motor Company will have 28 vehicles with the technology when the all-wheel-drive Ford Edge and Fusion, Lincoln MKX and Lincoln MKZ, and Mercury Milan are introduced. Ford Motor Company offers 36 vehicles with either all-wheel-drive or traditional four-wheel drive capability, which also is unrivaled in the industry.
"Our aggressive approach to all-wheel drive is a direct result of listening to our customers," says Fields. "We see the demand for all-wheel drive growing exponentially during the next few years -- from 25 percent of the U.S. market in 2003 to 50 percent or more in 2012."
Safety is Standard
Ford also is rapidly increasing the amount of standard safety equipment in its vehicles at the customer's request.
Ford's industry-exclusive AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control (RSC(R)) is the most advanced stability system in the industry, earning Ford Motor Company more than 80 patents to date and 200 additional patents pending worldwide. The RSC system is now standard on the 2007 Ford Edge, Expedition and Expedition EL. It also will be standard on the Lincoln MKX, Navigator and Navigator L. All six models also will be equipped with standard side air bags and Ford's Safety Canopy side air curtains with rollover protection.
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Also for 2007, side-impact air bags for the driver and front passenger and two-row side curtain air bags are now standard on the Ford Fusion, Five Hundred, Mercury Milan, Montego and Lincoln MKZ. The Ford Freestyle has a standard three-row side curtain air bag system.
Satellite Navigation and SIRIUS Radio Grow
Responding to another consumer trend, Ford is dramatically increasing the number of vehicles with DVD-based navigation systems and SIRIUS satellite radio.
"In 2005, less than half of our vehicles were available with a navigation system, satellite radio or auxiliary audio inputs. For 2007, we're doubling the models available with a navigation system and quadrupling the number with SIRIUS satellite radio," Fields explains. "In addition, we're increasing the number of models with auxiliary audio jacks from zero to nearly half of our lineup."
Ford's intuitive, DVD-based navigation system will be new for 2007 on the Ford Fusion, F-150, Mustang, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Mark LT.
Also, for 2007, Ford Motor Company is broadening its relationship with SIRIUS satellite radio, adding the feature on Ford Five Hundred, Fusion,
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Ford also is responding to the explosive popularity of MP3 audio players by offering auxiliary audio input jacks this model year on the Ford Edge, Explorer, Expedition, Mustang, Fusion, Sport Trac, Ranger, F-150, Mercury Milan, Mountaineer, Lincoln MKX, Lincoln MKZ and Lincoln Mark LT. Experts predict MP3 player sales will reach 132 million units in 2009, up from 57.7 million in 2005.
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