Restructuring Plan Should Provide Sneak Peak into Ford's FutureIf you happened to attend the North American International Auto Show in Detroit over the last two weeks (it ended January 22nd) you
 |
| The Ford exhibit was one of, if not the largest in Cobo Hall, a stunning display to boot, and filled with stylish new models and cool concepts such as the F-250 Super-Chief. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
might even think that all is well in Dearborn. After all, the Ford exhibit was one of, if not the largest in Cobo Hall, a stunning display to boot, and filled with stylish new models and cool concepts. Yes, Ford is getting its act together regarding products, leaving behind its Euro-influenced designs for those that embrace a little more North American attitude.
On the stand was the new Edge crossover, ready to join its best-selling although less dramatically styled Freestyle CUV stable mate later this year. The Edge is designed like Ford's popular new Fusion sedan, which is a good thing, featuring its three-ribbed grille decked out in bright chrome and similar vertical stacked headlamp clusters. Well received, it should sell at
 |
| On the stand was the new Edge crossover, ready to join its best-selling although less dramatically styled Freestyle CUV stable mate later this year. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
least as well as its larger seven-occupant sibling. Looking around the stand, at everything from the ultra-hot GT supercar, all in black and looking at least as menacing as anything the Europeans had to offer, to the compact Focus, still appealing after all these years, the automaker looked to be in pretty good health from a product perspective.
Of course, there was no indication that up to five North American plants could soon be terminated, an announcement supposedly set for Monday, but rather the only noticeable incongruous elements to its show stand were the much-mocked Five Hundred sedan, which is quite a good vehicle albeit somewhat bland in execution, the aforementioned Focus that is due for a redesign later this year, and the popular Escape
 |
| When Ford introduced the Freestar back in 2003 as a 2004 model, even current Windstar owners hardly saw enough of a difference in styling to bother upgrading. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
that would look really good with the new grille design and vertical headlight design added to its nose. Oh, and that blue-oval sore-point, the Freestar minivan.
Yes, when Ford introduced the Freestar back in 2003 as a 2004 model, even current Windstar owners hardly saw enough of a difference in styling to bother upgrading. While a good van overall, incorporating what are arguable some of the most advanced safety features in the minivan class, plus some innovations that other van-makers had yet to integrate into their vehicles, it was poorly received thanks to derivative styling.
But now that the Fusion is experiencing such phenomenally high sales numbers, and the new Edge is being speculated
 |
| But now that the Fusion is experiencing such phenomenally high sales numbers, Ford wants to apply the exciting new look to the Five Hundred sedan and Freestyle CUV. But what about its monobox Freestar minivan? (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
by auto writers to be another success story in the making, bringing relevance to CEO Bill Ford's upcoming turnaround plan, Ford wants to apply the new look to the Five Hundred sedan and Freestyle CUV. But what about its monobox Freestar minivan?
It makes sense, of course, to root the brand's new design language on its ultra-popular F-150 line of pickups, the bold grilles of the Fusion and Edge being remotely reminiscent of the big chrome grilles on the blue-oval trucks. No matter where the idea came from, the two new vehicles are so attractive that even a minivan wearing the new look could be desirable.
