Ford announces a very aggressive plan for Europe: Mustang, new Fiesta, new Mondeo, new Kuga, EcoSport and Edge

Today a press conference was held in Amsterdam where Ford informed us of its ambitious future plans for the old continent. These include launches of updated models such as the arrival of models from other markets.

Under a plan called “Product Acceleration”, Ford will seek to gain greater presence in Europe and achieve growth based on the One Ford strategy, which will allow it to expand its range of global vehicles and take advantage of growth in the large-car segments.

But let’s take it step by step. One of the first models to get a facelift is the Fiesta which, as we announced yesterday, will go on sale at the end of this year. The Ford Fiesta 2013 stands out for its new bonnet and its LED daytime running lights and, in general, for a somewhat bolder design. As for the Fiesta ST, we will have to wait until early next year, and it will get the EcoBoost 1.6 engine, which produces 180 CV and cuts CO2 emissions by 20% compared with the previous ST.

On the other hand there is the new Ford Mondeo, but we will have to wait a little longer to see it in dealerships, since its arrival is expected around mid-next year. It will be the first vehicle on the new global platform for the D-segment , and it will also be available as a four-door saloon, five-door hatchback and estate. One of the big novelties of the Mondeo, however, is that it will be the brand’s first petrol hybrid for Europe, and it will offer all-wheel drive for the diesel engines.

The next on the list is the new Kuga, with which this strategy will begin, and its sales are expected in the last quarter of the year. The Kuga will be built exclusively at the brand’s factory in Almussafes (Valencia), and as a novelty it adds a hands-free tailgate that opens when you pass your foot under the bumper.

As well as updated models, the arrival of two models from other markets is also being backed, which will gradually be added to the offer in our country and the rest of Europe. We are talking about the Ford Mustang and the Ford Edge. Of the first there is hardly anything to say, since we all know it as one of the most famous American sports cars. Meanwhile, the Ford Edge is a larger crossover than we are used to on this side of the pond, and it has always been very successful in North America.

Last of all is the new Ford EcoSport, a compact crossover that will go on sale in the next 18 months. For now little is known about this new model for Europe, as it is only confirmed that it will have a version fitted with the Ecoboost 1.0 engine. It is therefore likely to be a direct rival to the Nissan Juke, which is selling so well for that brand.

However, this Ford strategy does not end here, as it also has another development plan for commercial vehicles, based mainly on a complete range of the Transit, with which it will try to grow by more than 30% to reach almost 4 million sales a year by 2017.

Source | Ford