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Ford to shorten vehicle life cycles; reduce number of global platforms
Jan. 24. 2008
Source: Leftlane News.

Ford has announced that it will reduce its vehicle life-cycle to just three years — putting the Detroit-based automaker on a similar schedule as the leaders in the industry. The new life cycle is part of Ford's plan to keep its vehicles fresh, and will include major styling changes, technical improvements as well as a variety of other updates.

Ford says the new plan will reduce the age of its Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles by 35% by 2009.

Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of global product development, says the updates will focus heavily on design. “One way to differentiate yourself and bring people into the showroom is with great design,” Kuzak told AutoWeek. “You don’t design for the masses; each vehicle has a target audience.”

Ford also revealed that it plans to reduce the number of its global platforms and engines. According to Kuzak, Ford will build 70% of its vehicles on just eight platforms worldwide by 2012.

Kuzak also discussed Ford's North American plans. He reaffirmed that a version of the Verve concept is bound for our shores, but says it won't hit showrooms until at least 2010.

Additionally, Kuzak says that Ford's new EcoBoost family of engines will be available on 43 in North America nameplates by 2012, accounting for 500,000 units. He also hinted that a dual-clutch transmission could be in cards for Ford's North American brands — similar to the one that Volvo just unveiled — saying that an EcoBoost/dual-clutch gearbox could net a 20% improvement in fuel economy and would pay for itself in 30 months.