News on Bronco, Electrified Future, and GT500 Teased
03-15-18, 12:02 PM
#1
News on Bronco, Electrified Future, and GT500 Teased
DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Co. is giving its SUV lineup a shot of adrenaline, confirming plans to add a smaller off-road vehicle to complement the upcoming Bronco and a sporty Explorer ST model. The company also teased the much-anticipated Shelby GT500 and Bronco in renderings released Thursday.
Ford is closely guarding the rest of the details about these enthusiast favorites, but the surprise announcement of a small, purpose-built SUV to slot below the Bronco is sure to send shockwaves through the off-road world. The automaker did not release a name for the vehicle or precise timing for its launch, but did release an artist rendering of it painted in red (seen above).
Ford president Jim Farley, who oversees the company's global markets, said the Bronco and unnamed ute will be different from the Jeep Wrangler, following a strategy of vehicles that are comfortable at high speeds, in the sand and on two-lane trails. As expected, Farley said the Bronco will come in two- and four-door variants when it arrives for 2020. It will also offer a hybrid model as part of Ford's electric push.
"For Jeep, that's rock crawling in Moab, for Ford, that's something different," he said. "[Ford customers] don't want something that looks like a doomsday vehicle."
Meanwhile, the company teased the Shelby Mustang GT500 on Thursday, though it didn't release further information. The automaker has previously said it will be the most powerful Mustang ever with more than 700 horsepower from a supercharged V8. Aside from giving the Demon some jitters, Ford's news on the upcoming Shelby was purposefully vague.
Continuing in the performance vein, Ford confirmed the long-running Explorer will get a sporty ST variant, which is part of a 12-vehicle expansion of Ford Performance set to run through 2020. Ford, which is also adding the already-revealed Edge ST, aims to grow its Performance division's sales by 71 percent by 2020 thanks to contributions from SUVs.
While those vehicles are sure to ignite enthusiasts' passions, Ford also announced plans to roll out more hybrids, invest in connected technologies and streamline its product development in coming years. Ford has come under fire from Wall Street for its stagnant stock price and the appearance it lags behind other companies in key development areas. Thursday, CEO Jim Hackett sought to dispel that, detailing a strategy to offer hybrid models on nearly every model line, including plug-ins, traditional (non-plug-in) hybrids or both. The Ford F-150, Mustang, Bronco, Escape, Explorer will be lead Ford's electric blitz, which calls for six new electrics by 2022.
The hybrids are a pillar of Ford's plan to continue to offer large, powerful and capable vehicles, even in the event of another oil or economic crisis that could send fuel prices soaring. The company also confirmed a "new performance battery electric utility" that will arrive in 2020, though no further details were offered.
"It's low, it's sleek, it's zero-emissions. I'll make a prediction: That vehicle is going to be famous without having to shoot it into space," Farley said.
They're part of forward-facing moves that include autonomous vehicle development, cloud-based technology and a new suite of existing tech that will be standard on many Fords starting this fall, called Co-Pilot 360. Additionally, nearly all Fords will have standard 4GLTE by the end of next year.
"Being frozen in the past is really a death sentence in business," Hackett said.
Ford is closely guarding the rest of the details about these enthusiast favorites, but the surprise announcement of a small, purpose-built SUV to slot below the Bronco is sure to send shockwaves through the off-road world. The automaker did not release a name for the vehicle or precise timing for its launch, but did release an artist rendering of it painted in red (seen above).
Ford president Jim Farley, who oversees the company's global markets, said the Bronco and unnamed ute will be different from the Jeep Wrangler, following a strategy of vehicles that are comfortable at high speeds, in the sand and on two-lane trails. As expected, Farley said the Bronco will come in two- and four-door variants when it arrives for 2020. It will also offer a hybrid model as part of Ford's electric push.
"For Jeep, that's rock crawling in Moab, for Ford, that's something different," he said. "[Ford customers] don't want something that looks like a doomsday vehicle."
Meanwhile, the company teased the Shelby Mustang GT500 on Thursday, though it didn't release further information. The automaker has previously said it will be the most powerful Mustang ever with more than 700 horsepower from a supercharged V8. Aside from giving the Demon some jitters, Ford's news on the upcoming Shelby was purposefully vague.
Continuing in the performance vein, Ford confirmed the long-running Explorer will get a sporty ST variant, which is part of a 12-vehicle expansion of Ford Performance set to run through 2020. Ford, which is also adding the already-revealed Edge ST, aims to grow its Performance division's sales by 71 percent by 2020 thanks to contributions from SUVs.
While those vehicles are sure to ignite enthusiasts' passions, Ford also announced plans to roll out more hybrids, invest in connected technologies and streamline its product development in coming years. Ford has come under fire from Wall Street for its stagnant stock price and the appearance it lags behind other companies in key development areas. Thursday, CEO Jim Hackett sought to dispel that, detailing a strategy to offer hybrid models on nearly every model line, including plug-ins, traditional (non-plug-in) hybrids or both. The Ford F-150, Mustang, Bronco, Escape, Explorer will be lead Ford's electric blitz, which calls for six new electrics by 2022.
The hybrids are a pillar of Ford's plan to continue to offer large, powerful and capable vehicles, even in the event of another oil or economic crisis that could send fuel prices soaring. The company also confirmed a "new performance battery electric utility" that will arrive in 2020, though no further details were offered.
"It's low, it's sleek, it's zero-emissions. I'll make a prediction: That vehicle is going to be famous without having to shoot it into space," Farley said.
They're part of forward-facing moves that include autonomous vehicle development, cloud-based technology and a new suite of existing tech that will be standard on many Fords starting this fall, called Co-Pilot 360. Additionally, nearly all Fords will have standard 4GLTE by the end of next year.
"Being frozen in the past is really a death sentence in business," Hackett said.
03-15-18, 04:30 PM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
Farley said the Bronco will come in two- and four-door variants when it arrives for 2020.
I hope he's serious about the 2 door version. Otherwise, IMO, it would not be a real Bronco.
03-15-18, 04:41 PM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
The product onslaught will result in a lineup of eight Ford SUVs by 2020, all offering at least one hybrid powertrain option
http://www.foxnews.com/auto/2018/03/...suv-blitz.html
03-16-18, 04:46 AM
#5
Lexus Test Driver
All these automakers rushing SUVs forgot about 07-09 recession when Hummers were given away for free almost lol.
I guarantee as soon as next recession starts in 12-18months these SUVs will be avoided like the plague.
Ford's management has very short sighted vision if they canceled the Fusion.
I guarantee as soon as next recession starts in 12-18months these SUVs will be avoided like the plague.
Ford's management has very short sighted vision if they canceled the Fusion.
03-16-18, 07:32 AM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
The product onslaught will result in a lineup of eight Ford SUVs by 2020, all offering at least one hybrid powertrain option
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03-16-18, 10:31 AM
#8
detailing a strategy to offer hybrid models on nearly every model line, including plug-ins, traditional (non-plug-in) hybrids or both. The Ford F-150, Mustang, Bronco, Escape, Explorer will be lead Ford's electric blitz, which calls for six new electrics by 2022.
Ford is planning an SUV-driven product blitz over the next two years that includes a redesigned Explorer, a hybrid-powered Bronco and an all-electric high performance utility currently codenamed Mach 1.
The product onslaught will result in a lineup of eight Ford SUVs by 2020, all offering at least one hybrid powertrain option. Along with the previously-announced all-electric model and Bronco -- shown on Thursday wearing a dirt-colored sheet that revealed its boxy, possibly two-door profile, but little more – it’s also adding a smaller, curvaceous SUV that it says will be true off-roader.
Ford is planning an SUV-driven product blitz over the next two years that includes a redesigned Explorer, a hybrid-powered Bronco and an all-electric high performance utility currently codenamed Mach 1.
The product onslaught will result in a lineup of eight Ford SUVs by 2020, all offering at least one hybrid powertrain option. Along with the previously-announced all-electric model and Bronco -- shown on Thursday wearing a dirt-colored sheet that revealed its boxy, possibly two-door profile, but little more – it’s also adding a smaller, curvaceous SUV that it says will be true off-roader.
So six to eight new electrified models. I think Lincoln is included when they're talking about 8 Ford SUVs. IMO probably the following models:
1. Escape Hybrid
2. Explorer Hybrid
3. Mach 1 Performance SUV EV (hey Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla X)
4. Bronco Hybrid
5. Edge Hybrid
6. MKC Hybrid (Escape)
7. Nautilus Hybrid (Edge)
8. Aviator (Explorer) (debuts concept at NY Autoshow soon)
Electrified versions of these, I'm not so sure.
EcoSport
Expedition
Navigator
03-16-18, 04:13 PM
#9
Lexus Test Driver
With Ford and GM having a short memory on recessions and gas crunches in California, it's good to hear Ford is thinking hybrid for the F-150, Explorer, and Escape. These are the kinds of features and offerings that can save a company when the next disaster hits. A hybrid Explorer is a must no matter what. Hugely popular gas hog, mommy-mobile in SoCal.
03-16-18, 05:09 PM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
Agreed.....the C-Max actually competes more with larger versions of the Toyota Prius than with other small hybrid SUVs.
03-16-18, 05:13 PM
#11
Ford is doing relatively bad in the very profitable times for the industry, except for F150, so they release this big PR about everything they are doing to come back.
I like that they are doing Bronco, I think it will do great.
I do find it funny they are (again) claiming to tackle down Toyota with their hybrids... 10 years ago, Ford made same claims and in past 4-5 years they almost stopped sales of their hybrids, did not expand them worldwide and became completely not important player in electrification game.
I am glad thats changing, but is there really a need to claim they will beat Toyota at it? I mean Toyota sold 1.5m hybrids last year, and will likely sell close to 2m next why have all these claims that you have no chance matching in next few years.
It is also good news that they are doing new auto-brake system that will be standard by the end of 2019 on most models, even if it wont have all the features of standard system in Toyota's (Radar cruise control is optional). They are completely behind the industry on this.
Here in Europe, they are great value - bottom rack prices with huge discounts, but most of their cars is so old and lack of autobrake in 2018 is just bad, couldnt really recommend it.
I like that they are doing Bronco, I think it will do great.
I do find it funny they are (again) claiming to tackle down Toyota with their hybrids... 10 years ago, Ford made same claims and in past 4-5 years they almost stopped sales of their hybrids, did not expand them worldwide and became completely not important player in electrification game.
I am glad thats changing, but is there really a need to claim they will beat Toyota at it? I mean Toyota sold 1.5m hybrids last year, and will likely sell close to 2m next why have all these claims that you have no chance matching in next few years.
It is also good news that they are doing new auto-brake system that will be standard by the end of 2019 on most models, even if it wont have all the features of standard system in Toyota's (Radar cruise control is optional). They are completely behind the industry on this.
Here in Europe, they are great value - bottom rack prices with huge discounts, but most of their cars is so old and lack of autobrake in 2018 is just bad, couldnt really recommend it.
03-16-18, 05:54 PM
#12
Lexus Champion
There shouldn't be as bad an economic/fuel price shock with these new vehicles as people think. The last downturn and gasoline price shocks caught a lot of automakers off guard in the US. They weren't using modular architecture in quite the same way. This time it is different because the platforms and drivetrains they're using are very flexible to adapt to changing market demands. Sure you have to dump F150 production if there is an economic downturn but you have more to offer to replace those lost sales.
Use the modular platform and you have less of a problem with retooling costs and you can still offer a wider variety of vehicles.
The upcoming Explorer on the CD6 is modular. That means it gets to be configured in FWD, AWD, RWD. You build different vehicles off it with small displacement, turbo and hybrid. The Ranger and Bronco are nothing more than world market T6, so if there's a problem, you just stop making them or just use the same drivetrain fuel economy features that are already in place.
Use the modular platform and you have less of a problem with retooling costs and you can still offer a wider variety of vehicles.
The upcoming Explorer on the CD6 is modular. That means it gets to be configured in FWD, AWD, RWD. You build different vehicles off it with small displacement, turbo and hybrid. The Ranger and Bronco are nothing more than world market T6, so if there's a problem, you just stop making them or just use the same drivetrain fuel economy features that are already in place.
03-17-18, 09:37 AM
#13
Lexus Test Driver
^
its more psychological also, People associate Big SUVs as unnecessary in recessionary times.
You're not gonna run to buy something like that when your neighbors are losing jobs and market is down.
Sedans will always be cheaper to run just because they are much smaller than Suvs and weigh a lot less.
Usually get better fuel economy.
its more psychological also, People associate Big SUVs as unnecessary in recessionary times.
You're not gonna run to buy something like that when your neighbors are losing jobs and market is down.
Sedans will always be cheaper to run just because they are much smaller than Suvs and weigh a lot less.
Usually get better fuel economy.
03-17-18, 10:10 AM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
Because of a number of engineering and design factors, many of today's SUVs get mileage virtually as good as sedans. That's one reason for their popularity.