The Ford Vertek concept introduced at the Detroit Auto Show is a road map to where Ford is heading with its smaller utility vehicles for the North American and world markets with its versatile new C-segment platform.
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The Ford Vertrek concept is based on Ford’s global C-segment platform, which includes the all-new Ford Focus range launching early in 2011 in North America and Europe, plus the latest C-MAX and Grand C-MAX multi-activity vehicles. It represents the vision of the company’s top design and engineering talent on how best to attract and satisfy future sport utility vehicle customers around the world.
At least 10 new models will be built on the new global C-segment platform, which replaces three platforms currently in production regionally, according to Ford. By 2012, the new platform will account for more than 2 million units of sales, providing Ford with unprecedented economies of scale and an opportunity to offer customers around the world an array of new technologies and product features usually reserved for premium vehicles.
“Customer demands are converging globally toward a compact sport utility vehicle that is stylish and great fun to drive while at the same time providing the package, capability, engaging technology and fuel economy they expect,” said Jim Farley, group vice president, Global Marketing, Sales and Service. “The Ford Vertrek concept will allow us to hear directly from these customers about trade-offs they are prepared to make as we look to deliver a future production model that brings to life all these attributes.”
The Vertek is powered by a 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine equipped with Ford Auto Start-Stop technology that could deliver best-in-class fuel economy. Ford EcoBoost engines deliver fuel economy gains of up to 20 percent and reduction of CO2 emissions of up to 15 percent, compared with larger, less-efficient engines. By 2013, 80 percent of Ford’s global nameplates and 90 percent of Ford’s North American nameplates will have an EcoBoost option.
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