DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford is expecting to move ahead of its Big 3 rivals when it comes to residual-value strength, and the automaker is also "closing the gap" on import brands in retained value, the company announced, citing ALG data.

This was just one of many highlights the automaker shared Tuesday as it discussed its global product plan and unveiled its 2010 model-year lineup. 

In additional to an expected strong performance in residual values, the OEM also discussed improvements in other key areas. 

For example, its Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands all showed gains in the 2009 J.D. Power and Associates APEAL Study, which rewards automakers for strong customer satisfaction scores in design, content and vehicle performance.

The Ford F-150 and Ford Flex, in particular, received top honors in their respective segments, executives highlighted.

Additionally, officials indicated that the Ford brand has been give all-time high scores in favorable opinion and purchase consideration. According to the automaker, favorable opinion of the brand has jumped 17 percent in 2009 and purchase consideration has improved 13 percent.

The success appears to be translating on the sales side, as well, the company noted. 

The automaker's retail U.S. market share has climbed in eight of the last nine months, according to Ford. North of the border, Ford of Canada became the country's No. 1 seller in June and increased its market share for the eighth straight month, executives pointed out.

Moreover, the rate of increase in average transaction prices for Ford during the second quarter was more than twice the industry's rate of improvement. 

"Customers are recognizing that Ford is delivering exceptional quality, fuel efficiency, smart technology and better value," commented Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas. "We're delighted to see more and more new customers putting their trust in Ford and encouraging others to do the same." 

Continuing on, Ford also discussed the success that some of its newer models have had. For instance, the automaker said that models such as the 2010 Fusion Hybrid have generated new Ford customers "at unprecedented rates." 

In fact, roughly 54 percent of Fusion Hybrid buyers were first-time Ford owners, and 66 percent of the model's owners switched over from an import brand, according to Ford. 

Not to mention, approximately half of Ford Flex buyers are new to the automaker and over 20 percent were previously import-brand drivers. 

Looking forward, officials indicated that Ford was predicted by Merrill Lynch's Car Wars study to have higher vehicle replacement rates than any other full-line OEM between the 2010 and 2013 model years.

"Ford's average product freshness is expected to improve substantially — particularly compared to rivals — positioning the company to win even more new customers," executives suggested. 

Discussing Ford's improvements in quality and customer-satisfaction in further detail, the company said that it hit its highest level of customer satisfaction in the most recent Global Quality Research System Study, which is conducted the RDA Group for Ford. 

Also, the study indicated that Ford was tops among all automakers for the lowest number of "things gone wrong" in its vehicle lineup — another first for the automaker — which moved the OEM ahead of Honda and into a statistical tie with Toyota. 

"Ford's total focus on quality and customer satisfaction throughout the design and manufacturing process is paying off, and customers are noticing," Fields stated. 

"This is a major milestone, but we are not satisfied," he added. "For Ford, our plan is continuous improvement year after year." 

Moving on, Ford announced its new-vehicle introductions for the 2010 model year, which include:

—2010 Ford Taurus and Taurus SHO

—2010 Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid

—2010 Ford Mustang and Shelby GT500

—2010 Ford Flex with EcoBoost

—2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

—2010 Ford Transit Connect

—2010 Lincoln MKT and MKT with EcoBoost

—2010 Lincoln MKZ

—2010 Lincoln MKS with EcoBoost

—2010 Mercury Milan and Milan Hybrid 

Also, Ford shared several interior comfort features, convenience amenities and safety technologies. The safety enhancements include: 

—New SYNC  applications with traffic, directions and information delivered through customers' Bluetooth-capable cell phones

—Blind Spot Information System (BLIS ), which alerts drivers when obstacles are in their blind spot.

—Automatic Park Assist, which guides vehicles into parallel parking spaces, hands-free. 

Moreover, the automaker said it is devoting an "unprecedented investment" to new engine, transmission and driveline components. Ford aims to improve its average U.S. vehicle fuel economy by roughly 20 percent through the end of 2010 (compared to 2005), and by more than 35 percent by the end of 2015. 

"We are absolutely committed to delivering new products with the best fuel economy in every segment in which we compete, driven in large part by substantial advancements in powertrain technology," stated Barb Samardzich, vice president of Ford Global Powertrain Engineering. 

Additionally, Ford plans to put at least four electrified vehicles in the U.S. market by 2012, and has equipped four 2010 models (Ford Flex, Ford Taurus SHO, Lincoln MKS, Lincoln MKT) with its EcoBoost engine technology. 

The automaker aims to build 750,000 EcoBoost units annually in the U.S. by 2012 and 1.3 million across the world, according to the company. 

Furthermore, Ford plans to offer EcoBoost engines in 90 percent of its models by 2013. 

The 2010 lineup will also include two new hybrids, the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan. 

"We are creating a full lineup of Ford vehicles — small, medium and large cars, utilities and trucks — that are best-in-class in fuel efficiency, quality, technology and safety and available to consumers with exceptional value," explained Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of global product development. 

"We are making fuel economy a reason to buy a Ford, and we are distinguishing ourselves as leaders in connectivity and unique consumer-friendly technologies - many of which are appearing in our 2010-model lineup for the first time ever," he continued.
Ford Says Its Residuals Show Competitive Gains
July 21, 2009 from http://www.autoremarketing.com/ar/news/story.html?id=9774