Category Archives: Future Vehicles

GM taps Nissan for small van

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General Motors has inked a deal with Nissan for a small commercial van to be sold in the U.S. and Canada starting late next year.

The 2015 Chevrolet City Express will be cloned from Nissan’s NV200, which has been on sale in various world markets since 2009 and in the U.S. since earlier this year. If the name rings a bell, it might be because a passenger version of the NV200 was selected as the replacement for the Ford Crown Victoria as the next standard New York City taxicab.

Both vans will be built at the Nissan plant in Aguascaliente, Mexico.

“Our fleet customers have asked us for an entry in the commercial small van segment, so this addition to the Chevrolet portfolio will strengthen our position with fleets and our commercial customers,” said Ed Peper, GM’s U.S. v-p of Fleet and Commercial Sales.

While customers may have asked for a junior Chevy van, a more likely rationale for the Chevy-san is the success of Ford’s imported-from-Turkey Transit Connect, which has enjoyed a virtual monopoly in the segment with only minor competition from Chrysler’s Ram Cargo Van. Ford sold 35,216 Transit Connects in 2012. As of April this year, Transit Connect sales are up 27.6% while sales of GM’s full-size G-Series vans (Chevrolet Express and GMC Savanna) are down 6%.

In addition, Chrysler Group will start selling a Ram version of the Fiat Doblo, which is also built in Turkey, early next year, leaving GM as the sole Detroit automaker without an entry in the field. GM hasn’t had a small commercial van since the Astro was dropped in 2005.

The tie-up with Nissan seems unusual, considering that General Motors already has a small van, the Opel/Vauxhall Combo, which is sold in Europe and other markets. However, the Nissan van is already federalized, which will get the City Express to market more quickly and save GM the cost of certifying the Combo with the EPA. There’s also the potentially embarrassing fact the newest Combo is itself a clone: of the Fiat Doblo. Surprisingly, GM Korea (formerly Daewoo), which supplies the Spark and components for the the Sonic and Cruze, does not produce commercial vehicles.

Whatever the reason, Nissan is quite happy with the arrangement. Joe Castelli, Nissan v-p for commercial vehicles and fleet said, “Working with partners to expand markets for our innovative products enhances Nissan’s growth and manufacturing efficiency by leveraging our capacity to meet growing demand in this space.”

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Ford shows Atlas pickup concept

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Stealing a bit of thunder from GM’s introduction of the next-generation 2014 Silverado and Sierra pickups, Ford today offered a sneak peek at the next F-series pickup, due in 2015.

Called the Atlas Concept, Ford says the truck is a showcase for the the design and technologies that will shape its future pickups.

“The Ford Atlas Concept previews the innovations that will transform what people expect from their pickup,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “With 36 years as America’s best-selling pickup, we are absolutely committed to setting the agenda in the truck market.”

As with the new GM designs, the Ford Atlas look is “evolutionary,” continuing the massive-appearing, chiseled front end and side styling that emphasizes the trucks height. Prominent wheel arches reinforce the “big” image.

“We wanted the concept to reflect how Ford trucks help customers in both their worlds – professionally and personally,” said J Mays, Ford group vice president and chief creative officer. “Every surface and feature in the vehicle has been crafted for purpose and capability while retaining an unmistakable Built Ford Tough look.”

Designers enhanced truck functionality with details like multiple tie-down points integrated within the cargo box walls and load floor, as well as 110-volt electrical outlets in the cargo box to charge power tools. An integrated roof carrying system and hidden extendable ramps increase the truck’s suitability for a number of vocational applications..

The interior incorporates thin, lightweight seating allowing  leather allows for extra legroom for rear passengers and storage for smaller items. “Floating” instrument pods and glove-friendly buttons and controls keep the interior functional.

The Atlas Concept features a next-generation EcoBoost® powertrain,with truck-enhanced Auto Start-Stop engine shutoff technology. Ford says further fuel savings will come from                                aerodynamic elements that reduce wind resistance. They include automatic shutters behind the grille that stay open when extra engine cooling is needed and automatically close to improve aerodynamics when cruising on the highway at steady speeds.

It will be interesting to see is some of the Atlas Concept’s other features make it to production. The first is Active Wheel Shutters, panels in the wheels that are hidden at low speeds but automatically deploy at highway speeds to improve aerodynamics. Self-charging batteries use energy from the wheels’ motion to power the shutters. The automatic drop-down front air dam lowers at highway speeds to improve underbody airflow and retracts at low speeds to improve ground clearance.

Ford Atlas Concept is a rolling showcase of features that improve capability, durability and productivity to meet the diverse needs of pickup truck owners.

2013 Escape spotted near Toledo

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Sharp-eyed tipster Leslie L. spotted this camouflaged crossover in front of the Taco Bell restaurant at the Pilot truck stop just off Interstate 75 in Monroe, Michigan, about 21 miles from Toledo, Ohio.

As best we can tell, the camouflage is just for local consumption as savvy observers will recognize this crossover as the second-generation Ford Kuga that debuted at the Geneva Auto Show this year and was previewed as the 2013 Escape by Ford last spring. It’s is part of the “One Ford” strategy that aims to standardize as much of the worldwide Ford vehicle line as possible.

The Kuga/Escape is based on the Ford C1 platform that also carries the Focus passenger cars and the C-Max multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) that went on sale here earlier this year.

While it may be part of the “One Ford” strategy, the Escape won’t be coming with the two 2.0-liter turbocharged diesels that will be offered to Kuga customers in Europe and the UK. When it hits our shores later this year, it have three gasoline engines, including a 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder, a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four and a 2.5-liter four with intake variable cam timing.

We’re not really sure why the vehicle was wearing camouflage; the new Escape was shown on U.S. television when it starred in the six-week NBC series “escape Routes.”


The Escape will be assembled at Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky. The Kuga is slated for the Ford plants in Saarlouis, Germany and Valenca, Spain.

Many thanks to Leslie L. for the tip and photos!

Ford to return to U.S. minivan market

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Ford is looking to return to the U.S. minivan market with a family-friendly version of its Transit Connect compact van.

At its “Go Further” event in Amsterdam, Ford unveiled a new generation of multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) that will be marketed in Europe under the Tourneo Connect brand. In the U.S., the van sell as the Transit Connect Wagon.

“Ford’s Tourneo line-up is undergoing a radical transformation, led by the stylish new Tourneo Connect and with more exciting product to come,” said Barb Samardzich, vice president Product Development, Ford of Europe.

“These are good-looking, versatile and well-equipped vehicles that families, professional drivers and those looking for space to stow bikes, and even fishing equipment, will choose for their practical virtues and enjoy for their do-it-all spirit and attractive design.”

The new minivan will be offered in two versions: a five-seat Tourneo Connect and a longer-wheelbase, seven-seat Grand Tourneo Connect. Ford is touting the new Tourneo as ideal for active families or professional chauffeurs. In true minivan style, it has sliding rear doors, highly-flexible seating and lots of storage.

In Europe, the Tourneo Connect can be equipped with diesel or gasoline engines both of which will include Ford ECOnetic Technologies features. Ford hasn’t said what choices will be offered to American consumers.

One interesting factoid is that the Transit Connect Wagon will be North America’s first chance to see the Turkish-built van with the short wheelbase and regular roofline. Due to the “Chicken Tax,” a 25% tariff on importation of commercial vehicles, Ford currently imports only the high roofline version which is converted from a passenger van to a commercial van prior to delivery to Ford. Since passenger vehicles are exempt from the tariff, Ford can import those without the alterations, which should save the Dearborn automaker hundreds of dollars per vehicle.

The all-new Tourneo Connect is scheduled to go on sale in North America as the Transit Connect Wagon, in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Ford was a player in the minivan market from the introduction of the Aerostar in 1986 to the unlamented demise of the slow-selling Freestar in 2007. At one point in time, the Ford Windstar, the Freestar’s predecessor, offered a serious challenge to sales of the Chrysler minivans, but the Freestar, hampered by a name change many found silly, a substandard interior and brake problems, led the company to leave the segment rather than invest precious capital in a replacement.

The days of the familiar Ford E-series van and Club Wagon are numbered. The traditional full-size van, with styling that has remained basically unchanged since 1975, will pass into automotive history next year when it is replaced by the European-styled Transit that also was prominently displayed in Amsterdam. This will leave GM with the sole surviving American-style van.

The new Transit is part of the “One Ford” global product strategy where vehicles produced in any region can be sold in other markets after being tweaked to meet the needs tastes of customers in those markets.

“These new products will carry more, work harder, last longer, and cost our customers less to operate – just as Ford Transits have done for 47 years,” said Raj Nair, group vice president, Global Product Development, Ford Motor Company. “The unprecedented launch of two all-new Transit models will extend Ford’s leadership in serving commercial vehicle customers around the world.”

In North America, customers will be able to choose between two V6 engines, including Ford’s 3.5-litre EcoBoost, or a diesel. Just as in Europe, the Transit will be offered in multiple wheelbases and roof heights and regular or heavy-duty chassis. To avoid the Chicken Tax, North American Transits will be built in Kansas City at the same plant that produces the F-150.

Ford’s got a lot riding on the Transit: the E-Series van has been the overwhelming best-seller in the U.S. for more than three decades.

New Fiesta unveiled

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In advance of its its big public debut today in Amsterdam, Ford today revealed the newest generation of the Fiesta subcompact with a refreshed, sharper design and the usual overkill of technology features.

As has been true of earlier versions, the latest Fiesta will hit the European market first. One of the highlights of the newest technology upgrade is the first European version of Ford’s MyKey system. MyKey enables parents to configure maximum speed and audio volume limits. It also mutes audio until seat belts are fastened and ensures driver aids, safety systems and more vigorous alerts cannot be deactivated when used.

Other features include voice-activated in-car connectivity system Ford SYNC and Active City Stop, a system designed help drivers avoid low-speed collisions in city traffic.

An advance that actually has something to do with the car, the new Fiesta will be equipped with the Ford’s award-winning three-cylinder, 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine that the company says will deliver best-in-class fuel economy. The tiny engine was named “International Engine of the Year” in 2012 and will be coming to the U.S. in 2014.

“Fiesta has been one of the world’s best-loved small cars across five decades, and the sporty appeal of the last generation Fiesta inspired real passion among global compact car customers, contributing to its status as the world’s most successful small car,” said Martin Smith, Ford of Europe executive design director. “We had to keep that vital part of Fiesta’s make-up – but we also wanted to give it a more sophisticated look.”

Ford launched the first Fiesta in 1976 and has since sold more than 15 million models around the world. The new Fiesta’s styling incorporates Ford’s latest design language first shown on the EVOS concept car.

Ford will reveal more details about the new European Fiesta range at the Paris Motor Show that opens September 29.