auto news rate Ford for car sales this day

Ford expects to boost global sales by 50% by 2015
Ford told analysts and investors in New York on Tuesday it expects to boost its global sales by 50% to 8 million vehicles a year by 2015, largely fueled by growth in China, India and other emerging markets.
auto news rate Ford for car sales this day
Ford: We'll hire 7000 in US over next 2 years
Ford Motor Company announced ambitious plans Tuesday to expand global growth by 50 percent, to sales of more than eight million vehicles over the next five years.
Ambitious Goals for Ford
Ford Motor's punchy global ambitions are not as worrying as they look. The Motor City automaker expects to sell eight million vehicles a year by the middle of the decade, according to the plan unveiled on Tuesday
Ford profits drive centres on Asia
Ford Motor, the largest US car manufacturer by market capitalisation, plans to push its profit margins sharply higher over the next few years as it raises global sales, the company said on Tuesday.
Ford targets Asia for car sales
The US car giant, Ford, has said it wants to boost sales from 5.3 million vehicles a year to eight million - a number that would pull it level with rival car maker, Toyota.

New Fiesta to Take Center Stage at Ford's SEMA Show Booth with 350HP Turbo Concept and Tuner Project Cars

Hot on the heels of the Euro-designed subcompact's U.S. market launch, Ford is planning to bring a gaggle of tuner Fiestas to this year's edition of the SEMA Show, which takes place at the Las Vegas Convention Center during the first week of November.

"SEMA represents a special opportunity, because we can show off unique designs that other companies have created," said Sam De La Garza, Fiesta brand manager. "It's not just Ford coming to the table. It's other companies interpreting what Fiesta is, and bringing their own style to the Fiesta launch."

Aside from the independent tuner project vehicles that you can read more about below, Ford's in-house Racing Performance Parts division will display a concept Fiesta fitted with a production-based 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged engine, enlarged to 2.3 liters to pump out 350 horsepower.

"The goal of our 350-horsepower Fiesta is really twofold – first to reinforce Fiesta's fun-to-drive nature with an extreme version that captures the attention of the influential enthusiast, and second, to introduce the Ford Racing/EcoBoost connection in a way that's unexpected and outrageous," said Mickey Matus, Ford Racing Performance group marketing manager.

The sported-up Fiesta will also get Brembo brakes, Ohlins dual-flow valve dampers, a short-throw shifter, a Ford Racing exhaust system, and 17-inch cast-aluminum alloy wheels.

Ford said the concept model, which will hit the show floor in a blue color, will be painted by an as of yet unnamed artist during the show with the intention of auctioning the car in the near future to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF).

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_____________PRESS RELEASE: SEMA SHOW FORD FIESTAS_____________

2011 Ford Fiesta by Ford Vehicle Personalization

The Ford Vehicle Personalization Fiesta uses green accent colors on the wheels and grille to set off the unique car, which is equipped with a four-piece body kit. A new interior package debuts, featuring white-and-black seating surfaces, door trim inserts, steering wheel and interior components. It also comes with a newly developed side graphic – an evolution of the tattoo graphic that is currently available.

2011 Ford Fiesta by Universal Technical Institute

This unique Fiesta from Universal Technical Institute offers a custom DuPont paint job and an Air Lift full digital suspension. A custom roll cage and Status racing seats make it track-ready, while Baer brakes and 18-inch wheels and tires provide upgraded performance.

2011 Ford Fiesta by 3dCarbon

3dCarbon's Euro Series Fiesta makes a bold statement with race-inspired styling, which includes 3dCarbon racing stripes, window films and rear roof spoiler. A four-piece body kit consists of an aggressively sculpted front air dam, aerodynamic side skirts and a rear lower skirt accented with black trim.

2011 Ford Fiesta by L&G Enterprises

L&G Enterprises has created the digital Fiesta, which shows off circuit board-inspired graphics on the exterior. Complete with a lowered and more aggressive stance, the Fiesta also has a new exhaust and air intake. Inside are carbon fiber accents, highlighting a sleek black interior with integrated iPad command center.

2011 Ford Fiesta by H&R Springs

This Fiesta by H&R Springs makes a style statement and demonstrates the versatility of Fiesta with several interior and exterior modifications. A color-matched body kit and large rear wing, along with European hood vents offer style and functional benefits. A graphics wrap around the car shows off a high-tech look, playing on the nature of Fiesta.

2011 Ford Fiesta by Steeda Autosports

Steeda Autosports is putting a Fiesta on display that has serious handling and performance upgrades for enthusiasts. A short-throw shifter and cold air intake developed by Steeda up the performance level. Additionally, tuned front and rear lowering sport springs, retuned dampers, antiroll bars and a front strut tower brace provide what enthusiasts are looking for in a high-performance car.

2011 Ford Fiesta by FSWerks

FSWerks is showing its appreciation for the all-new Fiesta with a complete line of high-performance parts. Features on the SEMA vehicle include FSWerks-developed cool flow air intake system and race exhaust, along with stress bars. Other modifications include a body kit, Continental ExtremeContact™ DW tires and Aristo Noble two-piece wheels.

USA Government Set to Loan Billions to Ford, Tesla, and Nissan

USA Government Set to Loan Billions to Ford, Tesla, and Nissan

Ford will receive $5.9 Billion in low interest loans from the US Govt Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program (ATVMLP). The funding will go towards transforming factories in Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio to produce 13 more fuel efficient models. Tesla ($465 million) and Nissan ($1.6 billion) were also approved to receive some of the low-interest loans.

From the DOE press release:

Ford Motor Company will receive $5.9 billion in loans through 2011 to help finance numerous engineering advances to traditional internal combustion engines and electrified vehicles. In addition, theses loans will help the company convert two truck plants to the production of cars. Ford will be raising the fuel efficiency of more than a dozen popular models, including the Focus, Escape, Taurus and F-150, representing close to two million new vehicles annually and helping to transform nearly 35,000 employees to green engineering and manufacturing jobs in factories across 5 states: Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio. Ford is driving a major upgrade, leveraging a portfolio of technologies, including the direct injection, smart turbocharging EcoBoost engine, advanced transmissions, and new hybrid technologies.

The facilities that will be impacted by today’s announcement include: Chicago Assembly, Louisville Assembly, Dearborn Assembly, Dearborn Engine, Livonia Transmission, Michigan Assembly, Van Dyke Transmission, Kansas City Assembly, Cleveland Engine, Lima Engine, and Sharonville Transmission.

GM and Chrysler were told their finances have to improve before they can receive any loans from the government's program to loan billions to retool factories in order to make more fuel efficient vehicles. The program was set up by Bush before the TARP program began.

The car companies at the time wanted the loan program, but said the funds would not be available in time to help them survive. Thus, the loans that GM and Chrysler eventually took which allowed them to survive for a few months more before going into bankruptcy.

Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally released this statement on the government loan program:

"Ford Motor Company is proud to be among the first automakers deemed by the government to be among the best companies with the best technologies in American manufacturing and fuel efficiency. This green partnership between Ford and the U.S. government will help accelerate the development of advanced technologies for even better fuel efficiency and emissions. Ford is absolutely committed to fuel economy leadership with every new model we introduce. In fact, we plan to invest nearly $14 billion in advanced technology vehicles in the next seven years. Our partnership with the Department of Energy also will help retool our U.S. plants more quickly to produce fuel efficient vehicles and help meet the new, rigorous fuel-economy requirements."

Ford anticiaptes they will begin repaying the loans back in 2012.

The LUXURY New Ford Fusion 2010

The LUXURY New Ford Fusion 2010

Ever since the Ford Taurus died its slow, painful death, Ford has been struggling to replace it with a competitive entry in the midsize-sedan arena, with little success. For a struggling domestic automaker, the midsize sedan market can mean huge sales and a path toward recovery -- should it get the formula right. With that in mind, the Blue Oval has released details of its all-new 2010 Ford Fusion -- a car that will go head-to-head with the best in the business from Toyota, Honda, and Chevrolet.

The most immediate difference between new and old is in the styling department. A gargantuan love-it-or-hate-it three-bar chrome grille sits out front, while a more aggressive-looking lower air intake is flanked by two (much larger) foglamps. We like the sharp, angular look to the headlights that transform the Fusion away from the model's current, rather mundane appearance.

Powering the new Fusion will be a range of I-4 and V-6 engines. Expect an all-new 2.5L inline-four to provide power in the base model, cranking out 172 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque and allowing a 9.5-sec sprint from 0-to-60 mph. The engine features a new block, pistons, heads, crankshaft, connecting rods, and camshaft -- all in an effort to make more power, while reducing emissions and increasing fuel economy. According to Ford, the new I-4 will have more power than the four-cylinder Toyota Camry, while besting economy levels set by the Camry and the Honda Accord.

Next up the food chain is the midlevel Fusion with a 3.0L V-6 good for 240 hp (250 hp in E85 spec) that knocks 2.5 sec off the 0-to-60-mph run, dropping it to 7.0 sec flat. We don't have fuel-economy figures yet, but Ford is integrating an "aggressive" fuel shut-off program on deceleration.

The top-level 2010 Fusion Sport will feature a 3.5L Duratec V-6 (the same unit used in the Flex) that will curiously offer the same output as the 3.0L unit -- 240 hp. Ford did not give us details on the torque rating for that unit, but we speculate it may be considerably more than the 3.0L motor. Ford also wouldn't give us any acceleration figures on that top-level engine, but did note that all-wheel drive would be available with the 3.0L and 3.5L six-cylinder engine options.