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Ford launches aggressive new product rollout for Middle East and
Africa to target growth opportunities, including small, mid-size and
large cars
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25 new vehicles coming to Middle East & Africa – including 17 in South
Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa – by 2016
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Ford expands car line-up with new Ford Focus and Ford Fusion
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Mustang, the iconic American sports car, is coming to Middle East &
Africa
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Ford to expand rollout of advanced technologies in Middle East &
Africa, including EcoBoost engines, SYNC in-car connectivity,
inflatable rear seat belts, and other driver assist technologies
Company Website:
http://corporate.ford.com/
JOHANNESBURG -- (Business Wire)
Ford Motor Company today announced an aggressive product acceleration in
its newest business unit, Middle East & Africa, leveraging the company’s
One Ford global portfolio and targeting opportunities for growth in
small, mid-size and large vehicle segments.
Ford pledged to launch at least 25 new vehicles by 2016 to Middle East &
Africa – making the announcement during a special “Go Further” event in
Johannesburg attended by 1,000 employees, Ford dealers, suppliers,
government officials, and media.
The company also confirmed that several additional vehicles from its
global portfolio will come to Middle East & Africa in the near term –
including the iconic American sports car, the Ford Mustang.
“Today, we are accelerating the introduction of our new products in
Middle East & Africa, leveraging our One Ford plan – with a full family
of vehicles offering the very best quality, fuel efficiency, safety,
smart design and value,” said Jim Benintende, president, Ford Middle
East & Africa. “Middle East & Africa spans Saudi Arabia to South Africa,
and from Nigeria to Kenya, so customer tastes are as diverse as our
markets. Thanks to our One Ford plan, we can offer vehicles and
technology that customers want and value, tailored to the needs of our
markets.”
Ford’s Middle East & Africa product offensive saw the company today
announce:
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New Focus – a sleeker, more advanced and more refined version the
world’s best-selling nameplate – goes on sale in Middle East & Africa
in 2015
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New Fusion, a striking new version of Ford’s large car featuring
premium design and craftsmanship, and smart technology, also goes on
sale in Middle East this year and Africa next year
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The Ford Mustang, the iconic American sports car, is coming to Middle
East & Africa in 2015
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An acceleration of the rollout of new technologies in Middle East &
Africa including EcoBoost engines, SYNC in-car connectivity,
inflatable rear seat belts, MyKey and other driver assist technologies
Ford also showed an image of the Figo Concept, which previews Ford’s
upcoming new global small car, which will be introduced in Africa. This
car will offer design, fuel economy, quality and safety features
normally found in more expensive cars.
The product acceleration announcement comes only six months after Ford
realigned the four regions of North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South
Africa and the Middle East into a new single Ford Middle East & Africa
business unit to better serve customers and expand in the fast-growing
region.
“The total Middle East and Africa car market is expected to grow 40
percent by the end of the decade to 5.5 million vehicles,” Benintende
said. “Middle East & Africa is the final frontier for global automotive
growth and we are putting the infrastructure and people in place to
participate in this growth with the introduction of new products,
leveraging our One Ford global strengths.”
Sub-Saharan Africa Region
The next two years will see a major expansion of Ford’s vehicle and
technology line-up in South Africa. In total, 17 vehicles will be
launched or refreshed, including new Ford Focus, Fusion, Ranger XL-Plus,
Transit and Mustang.
“Our vision is to become the first choice for mobility in Africa and our
event today underscores our commitment to serve customers throughout
Africa,” said Jeff Nemeth, president and CEO of Ford Sub-Sahara African
Region. “Staying connected is more important than ever for customers
globally and in Africa. Our cars and trucks have technology that allows
drivers to stay connected safely, with hands on the wheel and eyes on
the road.”
Figo Concept promises smart, affordable future
At the Go Further event, Ford showed images of the Figo Concept previews
Ford’s next-generation, compact, smart small vehicle. Figo Concept
suggests a production version with capability and powertrain features
customers want at an affordable price point. One noteworthy feature in
the concept includes an innovative dock for mounting and charging
devices such as mobile phones, media players, and satellite navigation
systems.
All-New Fusion
The stylish all-new Ford Fusion offers striking design and premium-level
interior craftsmanship. All-new Fusion delivers segment-first adaptive
full LED headlamps; SYNC with MyFord Touch, which includes an eight-inch
colour touchscreen. “The new Fusion changes perceptions of Ford large
cars by offering an unbeatable blend of premium design, craftsmanship
and smart technology without the premium price,” said Nemeth.
Mustang coming to Middle East & Africa
The legendary Mustang, which will be available with both an EcoBoost
engine as well as its hallmark V8 powertrain, will go on sale in Middle
East and African markets next year.
“The all-new Mustang is out of the stable,” says Benintende. “The
Mustang is uniquely Ford and has a huge fan base in the Middle East –
the second largest market outside North America – as well as Africa. Now
those fans have something to look forward to and we look forward to
providing more details in the near future.”
Leading the charge for smart, connected motoring
The best of all the technologies from Ford will be introduced in
vehicles throughout the region, including EcoBoost engines, SYNC 2
connectivity, Active Park Assist, Active City Stop, Adaptive Cruise
Control, Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert, Rear
View Camera, and Lane-Keeping System.
“In many ways ‘Go Further’ is a modern interpretation of Henry Ford’s
vision to open the highways to all mankind, and the freedom that comes
with both personal transportation and economic development,” said
Benintende. “Ford is helping realize his vision today in this part of
the world.”
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in
Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six
continents. With about 183,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the
company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company
provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For news
releases, related materials and high-resolution photos and video, visit www.media.ford.com
or www.quickpic.co.za
, follow at www.facebook.com/FordSouthAfrica,
www.twitter.com/FordSouthAfrica
, www.instagram.com/FordSouthAfrica
or www.youtube.com/FordSouthAfrica
For news releases, related materials and high-resolution photos and
video, visit www.media.ford.com.
Contacts:
Ford Motor Company
Trevor Hale
MEA Director of Communications
+971566034059
Thale20@ford.com
Source: Ford Motor Company
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