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ausrutherford, the C-max will be shown at Frankfurt in september. We (in europe) in Europe, the fiesta has been released in nov 2008, the c-max will be released at the end of 2009 (I though it will be also release in US ???) and the focus end of 2010 (same time that its US peer)

theoldwizard, when is the next gen super duty due to be unveiled ? I guess that FORD should go with the 6.4 navistar engine until the end of the current SD and put the new engine when the next SD will be released (maybe sometime around 2012)

Can somebody have this article !!! http://www.automotiveworld.com/WAM/content...contentid=70228 it seems that the 4.4 diesel engine will start in summer 2009 and thus will be in the 2010 ford model late this year ! Job1 for the 2010 F150, Expedition may be shifted next year.

just a though, in order to build more 2010 fusion (if demand is there), can ford build them in oakville (canada) where it builds the edge, mkx and flex ??? they've just cancel a third shift ! they may be able to build the fusion there as it is already a CD3 capable factory !

FordBuyer, are you sure Ford will have a second plant for this focus generation. I though that the MTP plant should be retools for the C2 platform. That mean beginning of 2010 to start the production of the C-max and then the new 2011 focus the same year ! Ford should not retool a plant just for 1 year ! I think next year, they need to concentrate on the Fusion production plan !! this car should sell at 25 to 30k per month if they want to compete in the car segment !

630land, I completely agree with you. You know, even after the fiesta/focus, ford will merge the fusion/mondeo !!! they have to synchronize their product ! Right now, they are addressing their capacity problem ! after that, we should be able to produce cars that people will buy. Before the fiesta/focus arrive, I hope that the new fusion will begin to sell exactly the way the focus is doing before the merge ! This car need to close the gap with the camry and accord before the mondeo arrives. This is exctly what happen with the focus compare to the corolla !

mkII, I understand what you are saying about the EU. I do not want to go into a debate regarding the driving impression. But the 2004 EU focus was not very good in term of styling ! the new kinetic design has started from the 2006 S-max and now it is expanding to the rest of Ford line-up. For sure, the Eu focus is a very very good car but once again, it is not a beautiful car (even with the resyling). Of course, I am happy that the restyling was not deep so that Ford can bring a brand new global kinetic focus within 2 years now and sold it as a global product everywhere ! I hope this one will combine the kinetic look and the performance of the current EU version. It should be a hit everywhere.

I also think that once there will be global product, there will be also a lot of cars experted to Europe. for example the edge, maybe the kuga with gas engine, etc ...

Igor, that exactly what I though, the C max is a good start for the C1 tools. Igor, no new about the Ecosport/ EU fusion, do you have some news about this one ? FY2011 ?

you're right Igor, I think the EU focus has nothing special in term of styling. The european Ford design began to be really good in 2006 with the beginning of the S-Max/Galaxy ! You can also have a look at the current fiesta/ EU Fusion ! really boring cars compare to the new generation ! It is good now that US and the whole world will have global product. By the way, Igor, do you know if the C-max will be produced before end of 2011 in the US. I have read that it should begin end of 2009 in europe and I have read that the US will get it only at the end of 2011 (or 2 years after). I can understand why the fiesta is late (and it is 1 year and half) but the C2 platform should be produce in time. Igor, is it an error ?? I think it should be intelligent (from a factory point of view) to launch both focus and c max at the same time in the US.

Igor, theOldWizard, why don't they use the same engine everywhere ? I think this would lower the cost. Maybe also it is a question that the fiesta has not been studied for the US since the beginning. In europe, we will soon get a turbo version of the new 1.6liter. theOldWizard, you have said that for MY2012, there will be an ecoboost fiesta in the US, will this be the same engine or will Ford will produce a turbo version of the ROCAM. Another question is "is the focus will get the same engine ?" because for sure, the new EU 1.6liter will be under the hood of the next gen focus, at least in Europe.

the 1.6l 116hp is the hot enginefor now. ford is working on a turbo version on it to boost the power to 170-180hp. This will come in 2009. Maybe they want to lauch this engine simultaneously for EU,ASIA and Americas late 2009

I do not know if the new taurus can be sold in Europe. The biggest car to be sold is a 7 series BMW ! If it is longer than that, no way !! I also think that the ford brand needs to work a little bit more to go upscale. Before going to the taurus/falcon size, I can see a mondeo cc and then the next taurus in 2014 !

Battyr, can the D3 platform be replaced with the new global RWD plarform for the next generation of cars/SUV. Assuming that, the taurus would merge with the falcon, explorer with the new territory, ... So that, ford will only have 4 platforms except for trucks: - B cars, C2, EUCD2 and the new GRWD

Another solution would be to reduce the size of the mondeo in order to introduce a new flagship also in Europe. The current mondeo is between the BMW 3 Series and 5 Series. I have heard that Ford would considere to introduce a new flgship even in Europe as it planned to go upscale. I guess this car could also be imported from US where volume for such a car will always be more important. regards