Ford Motor Co. officials introduced several futuristic vehicles using descriptions that surely don’t harken back to the company’s founding a century ago: ”sexy,” ”bat out of hell,” and ”automotive Swiss army knife.”
Ford’s latest concepts — which may or may not make it to production –include a modified version of one of the industry’s best-known nameplates, the Mustang, and a hybrid SUV that incorporates ”green” materials such as soy resin and sunflower seed oil.
The world’s number two automaker also revealed a futuristic sedan and a crossover vehicle during a flashy event at the North American International Auto Show that served as a concepts preview for the media and the kickoff of the company’s 100th anniversary.
”Concepts used to be more ‘pie in the sky,”’ said Lindsay Brooke, an analyst with the automotive forecasting firm CSM Worldwide. ”I think Ford showed some realistic concepts, and they’re extremely important because they lead business expectations of a company.”
Ford, in the midst of an extensive restructuring to cut costs and improve profits, has said innovative products will be the key to its turnaround.
”Today, we’re going to show you exactly what we meant,” said chairman Bill Ford Jr., whose great-grandfather, Henry Ford, founded the company on June 16, 1903.
Nearly four decades after introducing its popular ”pony” car, Ford unveiled two Mustang design concepts — a GT convertible and a coupe.
Ford executives say the Mustang is as important to the company’s car lineup as the world’s best-selling F-Series is to its truck offerings. The company has sold more than eight-million Mustangs since their introduction in 1964.
Ford calls its Model U concept the Model T of the 21st century. It’s powered by a supercharged hydrogen internal combustion engine and hybrid electric transmission.
Key features include a reconfigurable interior, tires with corn-based fillers and an engine that uses sunflower seed oil.
”Forget the stereotypes,” said J Mays, Ford’s vice president for design. ”An SUV can be economically friendly.”
Ford will offer a less-futuristic version of a hybrid SUV, the Escape, later this year. The Model U is still in the planning phase — sort of a technology testbed.
”Someone told me once that to get a new technology off and running it takes anywhere from 10 to 15 years,” said Ford president and chief operating officer Nick Scheele. ”I think that’s pretty reasonable.”
Ford says it’s signaling a renaissance in the classic American sedan with the 427 concept, which has a long hood and wheelbase and is equipped with a seven-litre, V-10 engine that produces 590 horsepower.
Mays said the 427 is ”sexy and muscular” and runs ”like a bat out of hell.”
Ford’s Freestyle FX crossover is a concept version of the production Ford Freestyle, scheduled to make its debut in 2004. The Freestyle FX can convert from a 6-passenger sportwagon to either a five-passenger sedan or a five-passenger vehicle with a cargo bed. The transformation begins with the press of a button on the hand-held remote key.
”It’s sort of an automotive Swiss army knife,” May said. – Sapa-AP