Future Ford Models Arriving Soon!

The Ford Motor Company is in the midst of a historic makeover, one where the Blue Oval is selling off unrelated brands, updating its current products, and rolling out new vehicles for its Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury lines. By 2015, Ford will look vastly different from the company that Chairman Alan Mulally took over in 2006, but that is a good thing as Ford needs to have a competitive edge if it is survive, if not thrive.

The following are some of the new vehicles that can be expected over the next few years including a few Ford models that are speculations, not confirmed facts:

Ford Fiesta – Come Summer 2010, Ford's all new subcompact Fiesta will be hitting the street. This car is expected to deliver 30 mpg city and 40 mpg highway and retail for under $15,000. But Ford thinks that you will want outfit your car fully, therefore higher end versions of the Fiesta will be made available and sell for about $23,000.

Ford Transit Connect – Released in 2009, the compact Transit Connect (TC) work van will soon be joined by a family hauler. What's more, Ford will tap a UK company (Smith Electric) to produce a dedicated electric version of the TC, a plug-in electric vehicle which will be offered in limited quantities later in 2010.

Lincoln C – Currently a concept, this compact Lincoln will likely show up as a 2013 model. Based on the platform underpinning the next generation Ford Focus, the baby Lincoln will compete against the BMW 1-Series and the soon to arrive Audi A3. Lots of leather, wood grain trim, well appointed cabin, stiffer suspension, and possibly a plug-in hybrid will set this car apart. We believe that it will eventually sport the MKC moniker.

Mercury Capri – The Mercury brand is barely alive, with no distinctive cars to speak of. Ford says that the brand will live on and promises to reposition Mercury as a small car brand. We see the Mercury Capri hitting the market by 2014, a sporty 2+2 coupe based on the Ford Fiesta platform but with its own body style, interior, and color schemes. Look for a 1.6L EcoBoost I4 engine under the hood, mated to an eight-speed automatic or manual transmission.

Ford Focus – The next generation Ford Focus is already being sold in Europe, but it has yet to hit North America. That will change by 2011 when the latest iteration of the popular compact is built in the US. Now, American drivers will have access to the same Focus that has wowed Europe for the past few years including one of the hottest Ford models of our time: the 304 horsepower Ford Focus RS.

Ford Kuga – Currently built in Europe, the Kuga is destined for the United States. Riding on the Focus platform the Kuga name won't be used here. Instead, look for this compact crossover to become the next generation Ford Escape, offered with an EcoBoost engine or plug-in hybrid.

Mercury Ka – Though it most likely won't be called the Ka, this A segment vehicle is currently being sold by Ford in Europe, the smallest Ford model in production. Keeping with Ford's plans to change Mercury, we think that the Ka will fill out Mercury's line, but we don't see it arriving much before 2015. Powered by a three cylinder gas engine, the Ka will top 50 mpg and may also be offered as a plug-in hybrid model.

Updates to current Ford models will keep things exciting for Blue Oval faithful. Look for a new Fusion in 2014, the Expedition to be replaced by a car based crossover, and for the Lincoln Town Car and Mercury Gran Marquis to finally be retired!