Ford will unveil the production version of its Fairlane people mover concept (shown) at the New York Auto Show. The production model will be called the Flex, when it makes its debut on April 4th. The Flex is designed to help replace Ford’s minivans that were discontinued last year.

The Flex joins Ford’s other crossovers, which includes the seven seat Taurus X and five seat Edge. The Flex features three-row seating and conventional five-door layout. The Flex is expected to sport similarly boxy styling as the Fairlane and will likely feature a chrome three-bar grille and a prominent Blue Oval badge.

Ford is targeting to sell about 100,000 Flexes annually.

Ford will also build a Lincoln version of the Flex people mover, but the curvy styling of the Lincoln model will look little like the boxy Flex.

## Source: The Detroit News ##

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Last month, we saw the first spy shots of Ford’s all-new lifestyle crossover, which is inspired by the Iosis X concept. Spy photographers have again caught the crossover during cold weather testing, and have even put together an illustration of what the crossover could look like.

Inspired by the Iosis X, which debuted at the last fall’s Paris Motor Show, the production crossover will feature Ford of Europe’s “kinetic design” language also seen on the Mondeo, and S-MAX and Galaxy MPVs. The new lifestyle crossover will be based on the Euro Focus C1 platform

Ford’s new crossover is scheduled to debut at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, and will enter a growing yet crowded market, including vehicles like the BMW X3, Opel Antara, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Qashqai, and other new entries like the Audi Q5, Volkswagen Tiguan, and Mercedes GLK.

## Source: World Car Fans ##

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Just a few weeks ago Consumer Reports announced its Top Picks for 2007 list. For the second year in a row, all of Top Pick cars came from Japanese nameplates. While the Japanese cars excel in tests, there are good alternatives, and there are many people that will only “buy American.” For the second year, Consumer Reports has published its unofficial “Top Picks, American Style” list featuring only American-brand nameplates.

All Consumer Reports’ Top Picks must be recommended models, which means it must have average or better reliability, provide good overall crash protection (if tested), SUVs must not tip onto two wheels in rollover tests (if tested), or must be available with stability control (if not tested).

In summary, the “Top Picks, American Style” list features the highest-rated, Consumer Reports recommended American vehicles. Here’s the list:

Top Picks American Style

• Fun to drive: Cadillac CTS-V
• Small sedan: Ford Focus ZX4 SES
• Family sedan: Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan
• Upscale sedan: Lincoln MXZ
• Luxury sedan: Cadillac DTS
• Small SUV: Pontiac Torrent
• Midsized SUV: Ford Freestyle
• Minivan: (None named)
• Budget car: Ford Focus ZX3
• Green car: (None named)

Consumer Reports points out that Ford has been slow to implement electronic stability control, which kept the automaker from taking one of the spots. CR pointed out that the mid-pack Pontiac Torrent received the Top Pick over the superior Ford Escape because the 2007 Escape is not available with ESC. Most versions of the new 2008 Escape come with standard ESC.

## Source: Consumer Reports ##

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Ford officially announced that it has sold Aston Martin, its luxury sports car brand, to an investment group lead by David Richards, Prodrive founder and chairman. Ford said the deal is valued at $925 million, and it will retain a $77 million stake in Aston Martin.

The new owner of Aston Martin is a consortium comprised of: David Richards, founder and chairman of Prodrive, a world-leading motorsport and automotive technology company; John Sinders, an avid Aston Martin collector and a backer of Aston Martin Racing; and Investment Dar and Adeem Investment Co, international investment companies headquartered in Kuwait.

The sale is expected to close during the second quarter. Current Aston Martin CEO, Dr. Ulrich Bez, will continue to lead the brand.

Ford’s announcement after the jump.

## Source: Ford ##

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Ford today announced prices for the new C-MAX at the Geneva Motor Show. The restyled C-MAX features a redesigned front end which includes Ford’s ‘kinetic design’ elements also seen on larger S-MAX. The C-MAX also features an available panorama roof, blue tinted glass, Bluetooth, Keyless entry and MP3 connectivity.

The new Ford C-MAX will start at £12,995 (on the road) for the C-MAX Studio with a 98-hp 1.6L engine, with prices climbing to £19,045 for the top-of-the-range Titanium with 132-hp 2.0TDCi diesel.

The C-MAX will be available in the U.K. beginning in April. Press release after the jump.

## Source: Ford ##

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Ford of Europe today announced at the Geneva Motor Show that it will add three new flex-fuel models to its line up to reduce CO2 emissions. Ford said that its all-new Mondeo, and Galaxy and S-MAX MPVs will be available with flex-fuel powertrains from early 2008.

“Flexifuel technology offers us a real opportunity to make personal mobility more sustainable right now,” said John Fleming, President and CEO, Ford of Europe. “This efficient, environmentally advanced technology is one easy way in which we all can do something positive to combat climate change without giving up basic needs such as personal car use.”

Ford currently offers its Focus and C-MAX with flex-fuel powertrains, and has sold more flex-fuel vehicles in Europe than any other automaker.

Press release after the jump.

## Source: Ford ##

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Ford has announced the recall of another 155,000 pickups and SUVs to repair a cruise control switch that has already forced Ford to recall nearly 6 million vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the cruise control switch could corrode over time, overheat and ignite.

Ford said the latest recall involved 2003 versions of the F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 trucks, the Ford Excursion SUV and the Lincoln Blackwood pickup. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received 1,472 complaints connected to the problem, including 65 reports of fires.

## Source: Houston Chronicle ##

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Ford expects its luxury Premier Automotive Group to report a profit in 2007, according to Lewis Booth, the head of Ford’s European operations. The Premier Automotive Group is made up of the Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Aston Martin brands. Last year, Ford announced that it is looking to sell Aston Martin. Current reports say the sale is imminent, and could be announced as soon as this week.

Jaguar, in particular, has been a drag on the PAG’s profits, and there have been many calls for Ford to cut lose the troubled brand. Ford CEO Alan Mulally has said there are not plans to sell Jaguar at this time, but he has not rule out reversing that decision. It appears that Ford will give Jaguar one more chance behind a radical new design language that debuted on the C-XF Concept (shown).

Ford’s PAG lost $327 million in 2006 and $1.15 billion over the last three years. Over the last several years, Volvo has been the PAG’s savior, with earnings as high as $1.2 billion annually. However, Volvo’s stale lineup hurt its 2006 sales, and thus the brand’s profitability. But with the all-new S80, V70, XC70 and the new C30, Volvo is expected to return to its high earnings. Ultimately, the health and overall profitability of the PAG in 2007 relies mostly on success at Volvo.

## Source: Reuters ##

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Ford is committed to its Volvo brand even while it is spinning off another brand in the Premier Automotive Group. “Ford is very supportive when it comes to the development of Volvo cars,” said Volvo CEO Fredrik Arp.

While Ford, which lost $12.7 billion in 2006, is currently only looking to sell its Aston Martin luxury unit, there is much speculation that it will look to sell other brands to raise cash to fund its North American turnaround efforts.

Ford’s North American unit is not expected to return to profitability until 2009. Both Ford’s European division and the PAG are expected to be profitable in 2007, and Volvo is a big part of the PAG’s return to profitability.

## Source: Automotive News ##

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As we reported earlier today, Ford could announce the sale of Aston Martin as soon as this week. According to The Times, Ford is in exclusive talks with Prodrive for the sale of Aston Martin. Prodrive currently runs Aston Martin’s racing team and Subaru’s world rally team. It will enter Formula One with its own team in 2008.

According to sources, Ford had selected Prodrive because its bid — thought to be close to £450 million — was higher than the other bidders. It seems the hold up is that Prodrive is having some trouble financing its bid. Prodrive’s founder, David Richards, is working with investors to secure financing. British private equity group Apax owns a 49 percent of Prodrive but is not involved in the Aston Martin bid.

As expected, neither Ford nor Prodrive would comment.

## Source: TimesOnline ##

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Ford’s announcement on the sale of Aston Martin could come as soon as this week, according to a source familiar with the matter. The sale of Aston Martin should net Ford more than $865 million.

The current leader in the race for Aston Martin is the Formula One team Prodrive, although other bidders such as U.K. buyout firm Doughty Hanson and Syrian-born property tycoon Simon Halabi are still in the mix.

Ford officially had no comment.

## Source: Reuters ##

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While Mazda hasn’t officially said the Mazda2 is coming to the States (although everyone expects that it is), Ford has said it is developing a B-segment car for the U.S. But what is Ford going to call it?

With Ford’s recent return of the Taurus and Sable, Ford may look into its past for the B-car’s name. If Ford decides to go with a name from its past the only question is how far back it would look. It could go back to the 70s for the Pinto or Fiesta, or the 80s for the Escort and Festiva. The Festiva? No way. The Pinto? Great name, but too many negatives. Fiesta or Escort? While Fiesta is an old name in the States, Ford still builds a Fiesta in Europe, which could also work here. Automobile thinks it will be the Escort, and has whipped up this rendering of what the Escort could look like when it returns in 2009.

However, there is no sign that Ford is actually returning to names from its past, despite the reintroduction of the Taurus. The Five Hundred was the replacement for the Taurus, and there’s no way around that fact. There was no reason for the Five Hundred name other than the “Ford names should begin with ‘F’” philosophy.

## Source: Automobile ##

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Ford Motor Company revealed to its employees that its long-awaited subcompact car for the U.S. and other markets will be based on the new Mazda2. Ford’s President of the Americas, Mark Fields, revealed the news during his weekly Webcast. Unlike its GM, Toyota and Honda (to a lessor extent Nissan), Ford does not offer a B-segment car in the U.S. market.

The new Ford B-car, based on the Mazda 2, is currently under development, with Ford of Europe taking the lead. While the new B-car will clearly be a global vehicle, Fields stressed that it is not a “world car,” but will be tailored to meet each market.

Ford gave no time frame for the new B-car but it is expected to be two years away. We can only hope that Mazda brings the 2 to the U.S. before then.

## Source: The Detroit News ##

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Ford has posted its new “Dirty Jobs” commercials for its 2007 F-150 pickup. The commercials feature Mke Rowe, the star of Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs.”

This one is called “Leaf Springs” and Ford attributes the load capacity of the F-150 to its “big honkin’” leaf springs.

And yes, “honkin’” is a technical term.

Video after the jump.

## Source: Ford via Jalopnik ##

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Ford has posted its new “Dirty Jobs” commercials for its 2007 F-150 pickup. The commercials feature Mike Rowe, the star of Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs.”

The first one is called “Boxed Frame” stating that the F-150 can an 11,000 pound trailer, which Ford attributes to its fully-boxed frame. Whether or not other automaker’s use “un-boxed” frames on their 1/2 ton trucks is for other discussions. We’re here for the commercial.

Video after the jump.

## Source: Ford via Jalopnik ##

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