2014-03-07

Full family of 11 global passenger, SUV and commercial vehicles by 2017 with exceptional quality, smart design, safety, fuel efficiency and value Global reveal of rugged seven-seater Ford Everest Concept SUV, created by Ford in Australia Introduction of innovative new safety technologies, including MyKey and rear inflatable seatbelts Australian debut of stylish, all-new Ford Mondeo five-door and wagon and all-new to Australia, the Ford EcoSport Ford Mustang to return to Australia in right-hand drive Australian debut of all-new Ford Transit Custom commercial vehicle and confirmation of Ford Transit Cargo Ford is accelerating its product and technology led transformation with a completely refreshed line-up and several all-new models in showrooms between now and 2017. In an unprecedented acceleration of new vehicle launches, Ford will refresh its entire vehicle line-up in Australia by 2017, offering 11 global vehicles to serve Australian customers for years to come with a full family of passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles with exceptional quality, smart design, safety, fuel efficiency and value. Ford Motor Company President and Chief Executive Officer, Alan Mulally, is in Sydney to reaffirm Ford’s long-term vision for Australia. “We are introducing more great vehicles to Australian customers more quickly – with more innovation, more first-to-market safety advancements and more features customers really want and value,” Mulally said. “We also are committed to Australia as one of our product development centres of excellence, with talented designers and engineers creating vehicles and technologies here in Australia for the world.” Ford’s vision of the future is being brought to life in a major event held at Fox Studios in Sydney and includes Ford Motor Company Chief Operating Officer, Mark Fields, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, Sales and Service and Lincoln, Jim Farley and Group Vice President and President of Asia Pacific, David Schoch and Ford Australia President and CEO, Bob Graziano. Fields gave Australia, and the world, the first look at a rugged, seven-seater design concept called the Ford Everest Concept, which was created by the Ford design and product development team in Australia, enhancing Ford’s already strong SUV line-up, which includes the Ford Kuga and Ford Territory and soon the new Ford EcoSport. “This is our vision for a large, seven-seat off-road SUV to allow our customers to take on the world and it was created by our world-class design team here in Australia,” Fields said. “We believe our customers will love the distinctive design, which clearly showcases the Ford Everest Concept’s exceptional off-road capability and toughness.” Fields said the Ford Everest Concept was unmistakably a new member of the Ford family. Featuring an inverted trapezoid grille, set high on the front of the car, the Ford Everest Concept’s contemporary look deliberately conveys ruggedness, combined with modern proportions, dynamic window graphics and a sculptured profile. The SUV’s distinctive design and high ground clearance is not only purposeful but true to Ford’s fun-to-drive DNA. Full Family of Vehicles Ford’s vision of the future also includes the full family of Ford vehicles; the Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Ford Mondeo, Ford EcoSport, Ford Kuga, Ford Ranger and Ford Transit, as well as the iconic Ford Mustang and the new 2014 Ford Falcon. A range of new customer-focused technologies will also roll out in future Fords. Graziano said Ford in Australia was entering a new phase. “Our customers, our employees and Australia can be assured that we’re connected to the nation and committed to our customers through terrific products with class-leading technologies,” he said. “Our road to growth is with great new products that serve a broad range of Ford customers. “Driven by our One Ford strategy of serving customers in all markets with a full range of competitive vehicles and leveraging our global capabilities, the award-winning Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Ford Mondeo, Ford EcoSport, Ford Kuga, Ford Ranger and Ford Transit are global platforms that are underpinned by world-class design, engineering and technology.” The company took the wraps off the new Ford Fiesta, Ford Fiesta ST, Ford Mondeo hatch and wagon and Ford EcoSport. Ford will also offer commercial customers in Australia the Ford Transit Custom as well as heavier duty Ford Transit Cargo model. “All of these great products deliver on our core brand pillars – Quality, Sustainability, Safety and Smart – and they have opened up exciting opportunities to serve our customers better,” Graziano said. When the Ford Transit Custom and Ford Transit Cargo arrive early in 2014, they will offer Australian businesses, small and large, a range of new commercial vehicles. Both are truly global vehicles packed with Ford technology. They will take the Australian van market in an exciting new direction with purpose-built applications for customers who need the ultimate in capability. The all-new Ford Transit Custom is primed to deliver style, driver appeal, class-competitive load-carrying ability, Ford SYNC compatibility and fuel efficiency. The Transit Custom, the “International Van of the Year 2013,” arrives in dealerships later this year and the Ford Transit Cargo early next year. The Ford Transit Cargo is a capacious purpose-built workhorse for heavy duty applications for customers seeking more from their vans. The newest Ford Transit is the latest in a long line of market-leading Transits which have sold 7 million vehicles since the first model was introduced in the UK in 1965. World-Class Technologies Ford’s family-friendly MyKey technology will be introduced on the new Ford Fiesta ST in September, and Ford’s rear inflatable seatbelts will be introduced in the 2014 Ford Mondeo. These will be complemented by the influx of other new technologies, including EcoBoost engines, SYNC™ in-car connectivity and AppLink. SYNC AppLink™-enabled Ford vehicles will be available in select Ford models in Australia in 2014, allowing customers to enjoy an enhanced driving experience. The first three apps available for Ford AppLink™ in Asia Pacific – and Australia – by Pandora, Kaliki and TuneIn Radio, mark new ways for customers to bring their favourite smartphone apps into their vehicles via simple voice commands. New Ford Fiesta Ford is taking its popular small car to a new level […]

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