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Source: Leftlane news

Article #1

Global Ford Focus to help automaker’s bottom line

After years of public clamoring, Ford has finally decided to bring some its European models to the U.S. But by doing so, Ford will not only make U.S. buyers happy, but will also help boost its own profits.

As it stands now, the Euro-spec and U.S.-spec Focus have very little in common – sharing only 20 percent of their parts. However, when the new Focus launches in the U.S. in 2010, it will share 90 percent of its parts with its European counterpart, according to Automotive News. By making the Focus a truly global car, Ford expects to boost Focus profits by a double-digit percentage.

Also adding to Ford’s bottom line is the fact that the next Focus will only be available in 150 combinations –a 95 percent reduction from today’s car. Fewer combinations will result in lower production costs, which Ford desperately needs in this stage of its North American turnaround.


Article 2

Ford unveils fuel-saving plans

Last week, Ford invited Leftlane to preview a handful of new 2009 models at the automaker’s Dearborn Development Center in Dearborn, Mich. In addition to sampling a few of the automaker’s upcoming models on the varied courses used during the development process, Ford gave a few hints about how it plans to improve fuel economy in existing and future models.

Ford’s Dan Knapp, head of the automaker’s advanced powertrain development, said that much of the automaker’s future efficiency relies on the EcoBoost powertrain, which will be unveiled later this year for 2010 model-year vehicles. Ford expects 23 percent of its 2010 vehicles to feature a variant of the EcoBoost powertrain and 90 percent by 2013. EcoBoost relies on direct injection and Honeywell-sourced turbochargers to wring power out of a downsized motor. Current test engines have featured a flat torque curve from 1,500 RPM through to redline. Ford estimates that the upcoming 3.5 liter V6, which will show up in the MKS, Flex and F-150, will put out up to 350 horsepower and 340 lb-ft. of torque. The EcoBoosted MKS, likely the first vehicle to utilize the motor, is rumored to produce 300 horsepower. The motor is expected to provide more power and greater efficiency than a 4.6-liter V8.

In addition, Ford is putting heavy reliance on six-speed automatic transmissions rather than continuously variable transmissions (CVTs). Nearly 72 percent of Fords produced for 2008 featured six-speed automatics, a figure Ford wants to increase to 98 percent by 2013.


Article 3

Ford aims to trump Toyota in small car quality

When Ford starts bringing its much-delayed and highly-anticipated small car designs from Europe to the United States beginning with the 2010 model year, the Dearborn automaker claims that assembly quality will be a marked improvement over perceived benchmark Toyota.

Speaking to industry executives in Traverse City, Mich., Ford’s VP of Global Quality, Bennie Fowler, told The Detroit News that Ford’s goal for the new European-designed, U.S.-built small cars will be 800 problems per 1,000 vehicles. To accomplish that lofty goal (more than 500 problems below the industry average), Ford plans to send between five and 10 hourly United Auto Workers members to a Wayne State University program, where they’ll be trained and certified in Six Sigma black belts - industry-speak for quality experts.

Though recent Ford advertising has mentioned that quality is now on par with Toyota, the Blue Oval is apparently not satisfied with being Toyota’s mere equal in quality rankings like J.D. Power and Consumer Reports.