Ford Announces European Product Onslaught

Ford of Europe announces a slew of new products in an effort to boost sales that have been lagging 10.6% through July to 700,200.

Among the new offerings to be sold in Europe are new Ford EcoSport, Kuga and Edge cross/utility vehicles. The Kuga launches later this year, followed by the Edge and EcoSport. Ford is hoping the trio of CUVs will better position it to realize growth in a segment projected to increase by 34% in Europe over the next five years.

“The expanding European SUV market is a unique opportunity for Ford and lands right in our sweet spot,” Jim Farley, group vice president-global marketing, sales and service, says in a statement. “No other company can touch Ford’s expertise, global portfolio and credibility when it comes to (CUVs).”

The Mustang pony car, now sold only in North America, also will make its way to Europe, although the auto maker has yet to announce a launch date.

“Even with the near-term business environment, Europe presents a significant opportunity for profitable growth,” Ford CEO Alan Mulally says in a statement. “Today we are accelerating the introduction of our new products in Europe, leveraging our One Ford plan, just like we did when we transformed our business in North America.”

Current European products also will receive makeovers, including a refreshened Fiesta B-car powered by a 1.0L turbocharged EcoBoost 3-cyl. engine and a new Mondeo flagship sedan, also equipped with the 1.0L EcoBoost mill.

Built on Ford’s global CD-segment platform, the Mondeo will be available in 4- and 5-door versions as well as a wagon. It will come available with either gasoline or diesel engines and will be offered as a hybrid, making it Ford’s first hybrid-electric car for the European market.

Ford also announces a new generation of Transit commercial vans based on all-new global platforms.

Developed under the One Ford plan, the Transit lineup will include versions of the fullsize Transit van as well as the smaller Transit Connect. Both models will be sold in Europe, North America and other global markets, the auto maker says.

Additionally, a new, smaller version of the Transit Connect is planned, based on Ford’s global B-car platform. Dubbed the Transit Courier, the compact van is slated to launch in Europe in 2014.

“These new products will carry more, work harder, last longer and cost our customers less to operate,” Barb Samardzich, vice president-product development, Ford of Europe, says in a statement.

Ford says commercial-vehicle sales in Europe are forecast to grow more than 30% to nearly 4 million units a year by 2017, with the small-CV segment expanding more than 70%.

The auto maker anticipates annual sales of 500,000 CVs by 2016, which would increase its share of the European CV market to more than 13% from 9.3% today.

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