Showing posts with label ford. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ford. Show all posts
Monday, February 2, 2009
Thursday, November 27, 2008
RANGER MAX SHOW TRUCK DELIVERS MAXIMUM IMPACT, MAXIMUM VERSATILITY AND MAXIMUM STYLE
Renowned for its genuine toughness and strength, the Ford Ranger takes a confident step forward with the debut of the high-impact Ranger Max show truck at the Thailand Motor Expo.
Ranger Max pushes everyone's expectations of Ranger to the max. Visually bold and muscular, it takes to the stage at the Ford stand with confidence, sophistication and craftsmanship. No doubt the Ranger Max extends Ranger's reputation as the best all-around compact truck on the market.
"We know Ranger is tough and durable, and Ranger Max adds to those qualities. The concept does not follow a trend; it sets a new 'tough style' direction for compact pickups," says Paul Gibson, the chief designer of the Ranger Max concept. "Ranger Max is genuinely tough and it is a truck that gets the job done. This high-impact show truck also has the bold visual presence that looks great on the urban scene." It is not aggressive; it is 'tough style'.
Ranger Max was created by Ford truck experts in Thailand, working with Ford's Australia-based Asia Pacific and Africa design team, led by Gibson. Collectively, the Ford team creating Ranger Max also incorporated design cues that could be seen in future-generation Ranger products.
"The Ranger Max is not just about creating show excitement," Gibson said. "We have a great opportunity to test design themes that will make their way into production. Ranger Max says exciting things about what's coming for truck fans in Ranger's future."
Thailand International Motor Expo 2008 starts Nov. 28, at the Muang Thong Thani exhibition center.
"The tough style of Ranger Max is based on the capability, versatility and style that make Ford Ranger the choice of the most demanding truck owners," said Mr. Saroj Kiatfuengfoo, senior vice president, Ford Thailand. "We believe Ranger Max is going to be a real attention-getter at the show for truck enthusiasts thanks to its high-impact appeal and appealing design."
Delivering Tough Style
Genuine truck toughness comes from great design and engineering, which means the production Ford Ranger is the ideal foundation for creating Ranger Max. No under-skin modifications were needed with Ford Ranger to produce Ranger Max.
Gibson and his team of designers instead concentrated on exploring the limits of 'tough style'. "Ranger Max wasn't meant to be elegant or pretty. The robust nature of Ranger means that it is the dependable workhorse, and with Ranger Max we wanted to create a concept that is cool as hell."
They took inspiration from things many truck owners know and appreciate. The distinctive contrast between Ranger Max's hardcore orange paintwork with matte black accents is inspired by the functional design found in some modern power tools – just like those used by many Ranger owners every day. Ford designers recognize how absolute function and durability inspire these industrial tools and make them more appealing.
Industrial shapes such as the cog-like detailing in the body accents and wheel arch mouldings extend Ranger Max's theme of tough style as the ultimate power tool.
Pushing the 'power tool' inspiration a step further, the Ranger Max design team noted how power tools and similar objects incorporated words into their design to convey instructions or warnings. Ranger Max uses 'words' in this same style to accentuate its robust 'industrial feel'.
Ranger Max is full of details like this, such as the word GRAB‚ imprinted subtly on the bold, black grab handle in the side of the sportsbar linked to the cab. Every letter is precisely shaped in a 'truncated' font that complements the toughness and utility the overall truck design communicates.
Black & Decker is one of the power tool brands that inspired Ford designers. Other inspirations for Ranger Max come from active sports, like rock climbing, and the tough, technical products used by active sportsmen, such as G-Shock watches.
Just like Ford Ranger, the robustness of these products is affordable and their designs are purposeful. People buy these products because they know they can depend on them to get the job done.
"Ranger is respected," Gibson says, "and Ranger Max amplifies that identity, which gives it a modern and youthful character that's really suited to sporting and social activities, too."
Taking Ranger to the Max
With its character as the ultimate power tool, Ranger Max concept exudes confidence and purpose. It's up for the job – work or fun – and its design says so. It features full surfaces that convey the power and strength of its tough-truck backbone. The detail of its design demonstrates this show truck has been designed by people who know trucks and love them.
Like a power tool, it's ready for rough use. This means purposeful matte black plastic accent features and trim items, not fussy, fancy chrome.
It has innovative features such as a remote-controlled power tonneau cover for the cargo bed and a distinctive sportsbar that visually extends the length of the well-proportioned Ford Ranger side-access cab.
And Ranger Max is poised on distinctive, deep-dish, 18-inch alloy concept wheels and custom technical-look tyres that finish its extreme looks.
This is a Ranger and proud of its tough-truck heritage. RANGER is boldly embossed in the hood and sidestep shapes of the Ranger Max.
Dynamic Profile
Ranger Max's high impact establishes a powerful presence wherever it goes. Its profile exudes power and dominance as well as balanced proportion. The flexed 'power dome' shape of its hood communicates the pulling power and high torque of the engine. The power dome shape carries through to influence the design of the hard tonneau cover at the rear of the vehicle. These two overt muscular design elements give Ranger Max power and solidity. It's enough to scare the typical pickup into the gym for serious weight training.
Adding even more dynamism to the profile is the exclusive Ranger Max sportsbar, which attaches to the pickup bed and arches across the vehicle. This unique crossbar is shaped to create the visual impression that Ranger Max is always on the move – or ready for action.
"The sportsbar makes a big statement," explains Max Tran, a Ford designer who played a key role in developing the vehicle. "It adds a feeling of movement and dynamic character, and incorporates some great design details, including twin air scoop shapes on top."
Built into each side of the crossbar is an integral grab handle. Finished in matte black plastic, the grab handle design is all about purpose. The dark shape of the grab handle visually extends the perceived shape of the Ranger Max side window shape, accentuating the feel of functionality and space of the Ranger side-access Open Cab – a functional feature which Ranger debuted in 2002 in response to feedback from tradesmen.
The grab handle is labelled – like instructions on power tools and on aircraft – with the word GRAB‚. Similarly, the side door of the Ranger Max is distinctively yet discretely labelled AXCESS. These functional callouts also extend to the Ranger Max fuel inlet, which is designed to intersect one of the bold wheel arches, labelled FUEL.
"There's no mistaking the purpose of labels like these on power tools," Tran explained. "On Ranger Max, they fulfil the same role. It's the style of purpose."
For example, the vent on each front fender uses hexagon-shaped grillework and discrete chrome badging with the word RANGER with appealing detail. The branding MAX adjoins this Ranger badge to communicate the concept's name.
Other design details in the Ranger Max profile include incorporating the side repeater lamp into the side mirror. The lower bodyside, whose two-piece, interlocked sidestep look was inspired by rock-climbing carabineers and other outdoor gear you trust with your life.
Ranger Max's stance communicates power, purpose and athleticism. The design team has crafted unique, 18-inch alloy concept wheels for Ranger Max. These deep-dish, six-spoke wheels – with black graphic funnel shapes to their centres – are must-have sporting accessories perfectly suited to Ranger Max. Featuring large offsets, the wheels build on Ranger Max's distinctive tough style.
Big P285/60R18 tires with a chunky tread pattern give Ranger Max the footware and traction it needs to accomplish any job or adventure.
The bold wheel arches with cog-shaped detailing reinforce Range Max's stance and its purpose. Explosive, dynamic side graphics on the fenders and lower doors are inspired by the high-impact of shattering glass.
A New Face of Possibilities
Ranger Max is about confidence without aggression. It has a go-anywhere, do-anything attitude as well as great design detail. "When you look at the front design, the three-bar grille, the overt nostrils and open mouth, you're looking straight into the face of Ranger's evolution," said Gibson.
"There are design elements we are developing and Ranger Max is one possibility. We've crafted the face of the Ranger Max to explore a new look. Elements of it could become our new identity of Ford Ranger."
The three-bar grille is a Ford hallmark design element, conveying strength and quality, integrated with a proud, large badge of the famous Ford blue oval. Ranger Max adopts dynamic, modern headlamps which angle at the top to communicate energy and movement.
More robustness cues abound in the front design. Here, the power-bulge hood is a dominating shape. Its leading edge features an integral hot-air vent and reinforces that Ranger Max is a tough, powerful machine.
Self-confident Ranger branding – embossed in the top of the front grille surround – is another proud aspect of the front design.
Two major design elements link together to form the dominant frontal look of Ranger Max. The corporate three-bar grille imbeds itself into the lower enlarge air intake. A distinct line starting from the headlamps follows around the nostril and borders the lower air intake. This signature line unites the major design elements to create the defined face of Ranger Max.
Powerful Pulling Away
Ranger Max has presence on the road. Its bold rear design is the combination of proportion and details such as the pronounced contours of the tonneau cover which emulate the power bulge on the bonnet. The distinctive sportsbar integrates the cabin area with the tonneau cover. Continuing rearward, Ranger Max is neatly finished off with a tailgate cladding embossed with RANGER and a pair of unique tail lamps designed by the concept team.
"We're really excited about the Ranger Max because we've been able to define a tough style and apply it to Ranger. It is credible and very believable. Ranger Max amplifies the reputation of our truck," said Tran. "There's nothing minimal about the Ranger Max."
Star at Thailand Motor Expo
The Thailand International Motor Expo 2008, with Ranger Max as the star attraction for Ford, runs Nov. 28-Dec. 10.
"We recognise that Thailand is the home of Ranger for Asia Pacific, and from Thailand we export Ranger around the world. We know Asia is a fusion of many cultures, and we look to Thailand as a wonderful blend of tastes, styles and emerging ideas. For this very reason, we decided to create Ranger Max in Thailand and show the high-impact truck to the world at Motor Expo as a global unveil," said Mr. Kiatfuengfoo.
Ranger Max pushes everyone's expectations of Ranger to the max. Visually bold and muscular, it takes to the stage at the Ford stand with confidence, sophistication and craftsmanship. No doubt the Ranger Max extends Ranger's reputation as the best all-around compact truck on the market.
"We know Ranger is tough and durable, and Ranger Max adds to those qualities. The concept does not follow a trend; it sets a new 'tough style' direction for compact pickups," says Paul Gibson, the chief designer of the Ranger Max concept. "Ranger Max is genuinely tough and it is a truck that gets the job done. This high-impact show truck also has the bold visual presence that looks great on the urban scene." It is not aggressive; it is 'tough style'.
Ranger Max was created by Ford truck experts in Thailand, working with Ford's Australia-based Asia Pacific and Africa design team, led by Gibson. Collectively, the Ford team creating Ranger Max also incorporated design cues that could be seen in future-generation Ranger products.
"The Ranger Max is not just about creating show excitement," Gibson said. "We have a great opportunity to test design themes that will make their way into production. Ranger Max says exciting things about what's coming for truck fans in Ranger's future."
Thailand International Motor Expo 2008 starts Nov. 28, at the Muang Thong Thani exhibition center.
"The tough style of Ranger Max is based on the capability, versatility and style that make Ford Ranger the choice of the most demanding truck owners," said Mr. Saroj Kiatfuengfoo, senior vice president, Ford Thailand. "We believe Ranger Max is going to be a real attention-getter at the show for truck enthusiasts thanks to its high-impact appeal and appealing design."
Delivering Tough Style
Genuine truck toughness comes from great design and engineering, which means the production Ford Ranger is the ideal foundation for creating Ranger Max. No under-skin modifications were needed with Ford Ranger to produce Ranger Max.
Gibson and his team of designers instead concentrated on exploring the limits of 'tough style'. "Ranger Max wasn't meant to be elegant or pretty. The robust nature of Ranger means that it is the dependable workhorse, and with Ranger Max we wanted to create a concept that is cool as hell."
They took inspiration from things many truck owners know and appreciate. The distinctive contrast between Ranger Max's hardcore orange paintwork with matte black accents is inspired by the functional design found in some modern power tools – just like those used by many Ranger owners every day. Ford designers recognize how absolute function and durability inspire these industrial tools and make them more appealing.
Industrial shapes such as the cog-like detailing in the body accents and wheel arch mouldings extend Ranger Max's theme of tough style as the ultimate power tool.
Pushing the 'power tool' inspiration a step further, the Ranger Max design team noted how power tools and similar objects incorporated words into their design to convey instructions or warnings. Ranger Max uses 'words' in this same style to accentuate its robust 'industrial feel'.
Ranger Max is full of details like this, such as the word GRAB‚ imprinted subtly on the bold, black grab handle in the side of the sportsbar linked to the cab. Every letter is precisely shaped in a 'truncated' font that complements the toughness and utility the overall truck design communicates.
Black & Decker is one of the power tool brands that inspired Ford designers. Other inspirations for Ranger Max come from active sports, like rock climbing, and the tough, technical products used by active sportsmen, such as G-Shock watches.
Just like Ford Ranger, the robustness of these products is affordable and their designs are purposeful. People buy these products because they know they can depend on them to get the job done.
"Ranger is respected," Gibson says, "and Ranger Max amplifies that identity, which gives it a modern and youthful character that's really suited to sporting and social activities, too."
Taking Ranger to the Max
With its character as the ultimate power tool, Ranger Max concept exudes confidence and purpose. It's up for the job – work or fun – and its design says so. It features full surfaces that convey the power and strength of its tough-truck backbone. The detail of its design demonstrates this show truck has been designed by people who know trucks and love them.
Like a power tool, it's ready for rough use. This means purposeful matte black plastic accent features and trim items, not fussy, fancy chrome.
It has innovative features such as a remote-controlled power tonneau cover for the cargo bed and a distinctive sportsbar that visually extends the length of the well-proportioned Ford Ranger side-access cab.
And Ranger Max is poised on distinctive, deep-dish, 18-inch alloy concept wheels and custom technical-look tyres that finish its extreme looks.
This is a Ranger and proud of its tough-truck heritage. RANGER is boldly embossed in the hood and sidestep shapes of the Ranger Max.
Dynamic Profile
Ranger Max's high impact establishes a powerful presence wherever it goes. Its profile exudes power and dominance as well as balanced proportion. The flexed 'power dome' shape of its hood communicates the pulling power and high torque of the engine. The power dome shape carries through to influence the design of the hard tonneau cover at the rear of the vehicle. These two overt muscular design elements give Ranger Max power and solidity. It's enough to scare the typical pickup into the gym for serious weight training.
Adding even more dynamism to the profile is the exclusive Ranger Max sportsbar, which attaches to the pickup bed and arches across the vehicle. This unique crossbar is shaped to create the visual impression that Ranger Max is always on the move – or ready for action.
"The sportsbar makes a big statement," explains Max Tran, a Ford designer who played a key role in developing the vehicle. "It adds a feeling of movement and dynamic character, and incorporates some great design details, including twin air scoop shapes on top."
Built into each side of the crossbar is an integral grab handle. Finished in matte black plastic, the grab handle design is all about purpose. The dark shape of the grab handle visually extends the perceived shape of the Ranger Max side window shape, accentuating the feel of functionality and space of the Ranger side-access Open Cab – a functional feature which Ranger debuted in 2002 in response to feedback from tradesmen.
The grab handle is labelled – like instructions on power tools and on aircraft – with the word GRAB‚. Similarly, the side door of the Ranger Max is distinctively yet discretely labelled AXCESS. These functional callouts also extend to the Ranger Max fuel inlet, which is designed to intersect one of the bold wheel arches, labelled FUEL.
"There's no mistaking the purpose of labels like these on power tools," Tran explained. "On Ranger Max, they fulfil the same role. It's the style of purpose."
For example, the vent on each front fender uses hexagon-shaped grillework and discrete chrome badging with the word RANGER with appealing detail. The branding MAX adjoins this Ranger badge to communicate the concept's name.
Other design details in the Ranger Max profile include incorporating the side repeater lamp into the side mirror. The lower bodyside, whose two-piece, interlocked sidestep look was inspired by rock-climbing carabineers and other outdoor gear you trust with your life.
Ranger Max's stance communicates power, purpose and athleticism. The design team has crafted unique, 18-inch alloy concept wheels for Ranger Max. These deep-dish, six-spoke wheels – with black graphic funnel shapes to their centres – are must-have sporting accessories perfectly suited to Ranger Max. Featuring large offsets, the wheels build on Ranger Max's distinctive tough style.
Big P285/60R18 tires with a chunky tread pattern give Ranger Max the footware and traction it needs to accomplish any job or adventure.
The bold wheel arches with cog-shaped detailing reinforce Range Max's stance and its purpose. Explosive, dynamic side graphics on the fenders and lower doors are inspired by the high-impact of shattering glass.
A New Face of Possibilities
Ranger Max is about confidence without aggression. It has a go-anywhere, do-anything attitude as well as great design detail. "When you look at the front design, the three-bar grille, the overt nostrils and open mouth, you're looking straight into the face of Ranger's evolution," said Gibson.
"There are design elements we are developing and Ranger Max is one possibility. We've crafted the face of the Ranger Max to explore a new look. Elements of it could become our new identity of Ford Ranger."
The three-bar grille is a Ford hallmark design element, conveying strength and quality, integrated with a proud, large badge of the famous Ford blue oval. Ranger Max adopts dynamic, modern headlamps which angle at the top to communicate energy and movement.
More robustness cues abound in the front design. Here, the power-bulge hood is a dominating shape. Its leading edge features an integral hot-air vent and reinforces that Ranger Max is a tough, powerful machine.
Self-confident Ranger branding – embossed in the top of the front grille surround – is another proud aspect of the front design.
Two major design elements link together to form the dominant frontal look of Ranger Max. The corporate three-bar grille imbeds itself into the lower enlarge air intake. A distinct line starting from the headlamps follows around the nostril and borders the lower air intake. This signature line unites the major design elements to create the defined face of Ranger Max.
Powerful Pulling Away
Ranger Max has presence on the road. Its bold rear design is the combination of proportion and details such as the pronounced contours of the tonneau cover which emulate the power bulge on the bonnet. The distinctive sportsbar integrates the cabin area with the tonneau cover. Continuing rearward, Ranger Max is neatly finished off with a tailgate cladding embossed with RANGER and a pair of unique tail lamps designed by the concept team.
"We're really excited about the Ranger Max because we've been able to define a tough style and apply it to Ranger. It is credible and very believable. Ranger Max amplifies the reputation of our truck," said Tran. "There's nothing minimal about the Ranger Max."
Star at Thailand Motor Expo
The Thailand International Motor Expo 2008, with Ranger Max as the star attraction for Ford, runs Nov. 28-Dec. 10.
"We recognise that Thailand is the home of Ranger for Asia Pacific, and from Thailand we export Ranger around the world. We know Asia is a fusion of many cultures, and we look to Thailand as a wonderful blend of tastes, styles and emerging ideas. For this very reason, we decided to create Ranger Max in Thailand and show the high-impact truck to the world at Motor Expo as a global unveil," said Mr. Kiatfuengfoo.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
2009 F-150 put to the test
Ford Motor Co. brought journalists from across the country to its scenic, secluded proving grounds in Romeo today to put the all-new 2009 Ford F-150 pickup to the test against competitors.
Along the backdrop of fall foliage, the crowd drove the F-150 and rival trucks, such as the all-new Dodge Ram, through the paces, towing 7,300-pound trailers, getting muddy in off-road courses and maneuvering through a variety of obstacles designed to show off Ford’s engineering prowess.
Ford is hoping its F-150, the best-selling truck in America for the past 31 years, will continue to impress journalists, who influence the purchasing decisions of countless consumers.
But Ford was making a special effort with visiting journalists from Texas, who later this week are slated to vote on the Texas Truck of the Year award -- a prestigious honor that is used in marketing throughout the Lone Star State, which is No. 1 in full-sized truck sales in America.
The state is so important that most automakers usually launch their new trucks in Texas.
Alan Gell, who writes for the Daily Oklahoman and votes in the Truck Rodeo hosted by the Texas Auto Writers Association, said it was no accident that Ford hosted the launch of the F-150 this week.
“They’re worried about losing,” Gell said of Ford after testing an F-150. He declined to say who he favored in the contest, but noted that the new entries this year, the F-150 and the Ram, are both much improved and impressive. Harold Gunn, president of the Texas Auto Writers Association, said Chrysler LLC, which owns the Dodge brand, and Ford have been ramping up their lobbying efforts with the Texas journalists to promote their new trucks.
“The Ram is the best Ram ever built,” said Gunn, who received the extra attentions of Ford’s top engineers throughout the day.
However, he noted that the F-150 is clearly the front-runner.
“The F-150 has always been the truck to beat, and it still is,” he said after testing the model at the Michigan track. “It’s a wonderful truck.”
No matter who wins the Texas contests, Michael Levine, founder and president of PickupTruck.com, said the fight for truck buyers is more intense than ever.
In the past, that fight has been about who can tow or haul the most, and Ford’s new truck can pull an industry-leading 11,300 pounds and haul 3,030 pounds.
During the event, journalists from across the country were squabbling over which truck was the best, focusing on specific areas, such as the rear suspension system.
The F-150 uses a leaf spring system that Ford said is superior, while the Ram has moved to a coil spring system that Dodge said provides a smoother ride. Despite those debates, Levine said, the F-150 distinguishes itself with innovative new features, such as steps to assist entry into the pickup bed, and smart technology such as Ford Works. That is a technology suite that helps drivers keep track of their valuable equipment with sensors, to secure property with a Master Lock cable, to access the Internet from the cabin of their truck and to manage a fleet of trucks, among other features.
“That’s a game changer,” Levine said, noting that nobody offers anything like it. “I’d be willing to give up some comfort and capability for that.”
Ford, which has posted an $8.6-billion loss through the first half of the year, could definitely use an edge.
Sales for the F-Series pickup line are down 26.9% through September as consumers seek out more fuel-efficient models, and the vehicle remains a critical one for Ford. More than a quarter of the company’s sales are from the F-Series.
Along the backdrop of fall foliage, the crowd drove the F-150 and rival trucks, such as the all-new Dodge Ram, through the paces, towing 7,300-pound trailers, getting muddy in off-road courses and maneuvering through a variety of obstacles designed to show off Ford’s engineering prowess.
Ford is hoping its F-150, the best-selling truck in America for the past 31 years, will continue to impress journalists, who influence the purchasing decisions of countless consumers.
But Ford was making a special effort with visiting journalists from Texas, who later this week are slated to vote on the Texas Truck of the Year award -- a prestigious honor that is used in marketing throughout the Lone Star State, which is No. 1 in full-sized truck sales in America.
The state is so important that most automakers usually launch their new trucks in Texas.
Alan Gell, who writes for the Daily Oklahoman and votes in the Truck Rodeo hosted by the Texas Auto Writers Association, said it was no accident that Ford hosted the launch of the F-150 this week.
“They’re worried about losing,” Gell said of Ford after testing an F-150. He declined to say who he favored in the contest, but noted that the new entries this year, the F-150 and the Ram, are both much improved and impressive. Harold Gunn, president of the Texas Auto Writers Association, said Chrysler LLC, which owns the Dodge brand, and Ford have been ramping up their lobbying efforts with the Texas journalists to promote their new trucks.
“The Ram is the best Ram ever built,” said Gunn, who received the extra attentions of Ford’s top engineers throughout the day.
However, he noted that the F-150 is clearly the front-runner.
“The F-150 has always been the truck to beat, and it still is,” he said after testing the model at the Michigan track. “It’s a wonderful truck.”
No matter who wins the Texas contests, Michael Levine, founder and president of PickupTruck.com, said the fight for truck buyers is more intense than ever.
In the past, that fight has been about who can tow or haul the most, and Ford’s new truck can pull an industry-leading 11,300 pounds and haul 3,030 pounds.
During the event, journalists from across the country were squabbling over which truck was the best, focusing on specific areas, such as the rear suspension system.
The F-150 uses a leaf spring system that Ford said is superior, while the Ram has moved to a coil spring system that Dodge said provides a smoother ride. Despite those debates, Levine said, the F-150 distinguishes itself with innovative new features, such as steps to assist entry into the pickup bed, and smart technology such as Ford Works. That is a technology suite that helps drivers keep track of their valuable equipment with sensors, to secure property with a Master Lock cable, to access the Internet from the cabin of their truck and to manage a fleet of trucks, among other features.
“That’s a game changer,” Levine said, noting that nobody offers anything like it. “I’d be willing to give up some comfort and capability for that.”
Ford, which has posted an $8.6-billion loss through the first half of the year, could definitely use an edge.
Sales for the F-Series pickup line are down 26.9% through September as consumers seek out more fuel-efficient models, and the vehicle remains a critical one for Ford. More than a quarter of the company’s sales are from the F-Series.
Ford to tout vehicle quality on par with Toyota, Honda in new ad campaign
Set your TiVos: Ford Motor Co. can say in advertising again this year that its quality is on par with the world’s best.
The Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands combined to score nearly as well on a Ford-funded study of new-car quality as Toyota Motor Corp.’s three brands and Honda Motor Co.’s two brands.
Honda led the way with 1,241 defects per 1,000 vehicles. Toyota was second at 1,265 and Ford’s traditional domestic brands combined for a score of 1,273. The industry average was 1,347.
Ford declined to release additional results.
The gap was small enough that Ford can say with 95% statistical certainty that its quality is essentially equal to those Japanese rivals.
That is the threshold Ford must meet under federal regulations to advertise its claim of quality parity, said Mike Hardie, director of global quality and productivity.
Ford has commissioned its own study of new-car quality — called the U.S. Global Quality Research System study, conducted by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills — for years, but has only made the results public in recent years since they have been so positive.
Ford is “pretty excited that now we do have the numbers” to show quality is first-rate, said Hardie.
The results have generally been replicated in the closely watched J.D. Power and Associates study of new-car quality.
Quality is a key dimension in which American auto brands suffer in the eyes of consumers, so it has been a consistent focus for Ford and its rivals.
This summer, for instance, Bennie Fowler, Ford’s group vice president in charge of quality, said he expects the 2010 Ford Focus to launch with no more than no more than 800 things gone wrong per 1,000 vehicles in the first 90 days of ownership.
The Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands combined to score nearly as well on a Ford-funded study of new-car quality as Toyota Motor Corp.’s three brands and Honda Motor Co.’s two brands.
Honda led the way with 1,241 defects per 1,000 vehicles. Toyota was second at 1,265 and Ford’s traditional domestic brands combined for a score of 1,273. The industry average was 1,347.
Ford declined to release additional results.
The gap was small enough that Ford can say with 95% statistical certainty that its quality is essentially equal to those Japanese rivals.
That is the threshold Ford must meet under federal regulations to advertise its claim of quality parity, said Mike Hardie, director of global quality and productivity.
Ford has commissioned its own study of new-car quality — called the U.S. Global Quality Research System study, conducted by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills — for years, but has only made the results public in recent years since they have been so positive.
Ford is “pretty excited that now we do have the numbers” to show quality is first-rate, said Hardie.
The results have generally been replicated in the closely watched J.D. Power and Associates study of new-car quality.
Quality is a key dimension in which American auto brands suffer in the eyes of consumers, so it has been a consistent focus for Ford and its rivals.
This summer, for instance, Bennie Fowler, Ford’s group vice president in charge of quality, said he expects the 2010 Ford Focus to launch with no more than no more than 800 things gone wrong per 1,000 vehicles in the first 90 days of ownership.
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