Vehicle FordBlog

2011 Ford Fiesta Headed for 2009 LA Auto Show

2009-10-11T05:29:00.000-07:00

It's party time. Although we've seen the new Fiesta for some time now, Ford has announced it will officially launch the U.S.-spec 2011 model at the 2009 Los Angeles auto show.

While Europe has experienced the latest Fiesta for nearly a year, the North American Fiesta will arrive at dealers sometime next summer. The subcompact is the second-most-popular vehicle in Europe, having sold 340,000 examples since its launch. The sales figures have helped Ford increase its European market share for the 8th consecutive month, and the automaker hopes the car will be met with similar interest here in the States. Ford claims 97 percent of consumers sincerely interested in the Fiesta don't presently own a Ford vehicle.

We wouldn't be surprised if, in addition to launching the U.S. car, Ford also uses the L.A. show to launch a four-door sedan variant. Such a car has long been in the cards for North America, as indicated by the "North American" Verve concept shown at the 2008 Detroit auto show.

Europe Since 1999, Ford Posts Highest Market Share

2009-08-13T06:28:00.001-07:00

Not only is Ford doing well in its home market; it's also making waves in Europe. According to sales data, Ford of Europe posted a 5 percent increase in new car sales in its 19 main markets and its highest market share since 1999.

Riding on sales of the Fiesta and Ka small cars, Ford's market share rose by 0.6 percent to a total of 9 percent last month. Ford sold 125,200 vehicles in its main 19 markets in Europe, but overall sales - which include all 51 markets of its European region - fell almost 9 percent, to 136,500 units in July.

Ford is the number two automaker in Europe, behind Volkswagen.

Ford was undoubtedly buoyed in some countries, like France, Germany, and Italy, by "cash-for-clunker" programs. Ford's head of marketing in Europe, Ingvar Sviggum, said those programs are artificially boosting sales and will have to be phased out gradually.

"Despite the positive impact of various national vehicle scrappage schemes, the overall trend is still negative and the underlying market is week," Sviggum said in a statement.

Ford Pictures

2009-07-06T08:18:00.000-07:00

Specifications :

Auxiliary oil cooler
4,601 cc 4.6 liters V 8 front engine with 90.2 mm bore, 90.0 mm stroke, 9.3 compression ratio, overhead cam and two valves per cylinder 99W
E85 fuel 87
Multi-point injection fuel system
35.0 gallon main E85 fuel tank 29.1
Power: 168 kW , 225 HP SAE @ 4,800 rpm; 286 ft lb , 388 Nm @ 3,500 rpm

Profile : Ford Company

2009-07-06T08:11:00.000-07:00

Ford Motor Company was found in 1903 by Henry Ford, and is considered one of the oldest automakers in the world.

Ford's original dream was to manufacture cars for the masses. One of the company's innovations was the development of the moving assembly line which is still used to this day. Such technology allowed millions of Americans to purchase the now famous Model T in early 1900s.

Ford purchased Lincoln Motor Co. in 1925 then, later, create its Mercury marque in 1939 as it fought to match rival General Motors' Cadillac and Buick lines and Chrysler's Imperial (now defunct) and Chrysler brands. The Edsel, briefly, was its own marque as well.

Ford created the Premier Automotive Group, or PAG, in the late 1990s-early 2000s. The luxury group consists of Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo. For years, Lincoln was part of PAG until it was pulled out in 2002.

Ford purchase controlling shares of Mazda in 1999.

The automaker's history has been punctuated with highs and lows. The 1950's Ford Thunderbird success was countered by the Edsel's spectacular failure among buyers. The Ford Mustang created what are now known as "pony car" and "muscle car" subgenres. The Ford Taurus, first introduced in 1985, was one of the top three selling mid-sized sedans until 1997. And many attribute the Ford Explorer as the beginning of the "SUV craze" that's only recently transitioning to crossovers.

Intense competition from Japanese automakers, gas prices, government regulation, and consumer taste has driven down Ford sales since 2000. The company is currently embarked on its "Way Forward" program, countering market share loss with new products such as the Ford Fusion sedan and Edge SUV; the return of the Taurus nameplate; and the closure of many U.S. plants.