Category: Ford

Just like the Lincoln MKX, the Edge uses the platform introduced with Ford's latest trio of mid-size sedans, the Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Lincoln Zephyr. Edge will broaden Ford's SUV lineup to five when it arrives in late 2006, similar to Toyota's lineup. Ford dealers will offer Edge, Explorer, Escape, Freestyle, and Expedition for 2007MY. Edge is sized and powered above Escape, but smaller than the Explorer or Freestyle. It brings Ford's car-based SUV total to three (Escape, Edge, Freestyle), with the Explorer and Expedition continuing their truck-based personalities.

Ford explores small-car options with sporty, kid-friendly Reflex.

VehicleVoice (http://www.vehiclevoice.com) and AutoPacific (http://www.autopacific.com) were impressed with the previous Ford Sport Trac and are more impressed with the new 2007 version of Ford's Sport Utility Truck. The 1st Sport Trac was a funky, hose-it-out, derivative of a two-generations ago Explorer. In its last year in production, the first gen Sport Trac came within a hair's breadth of winning AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Award for the compact pickup category. This is quite an achieve for a last-year vehicle.

We first met Nancy Gioia at the launch of the Thunderbird Roadster where she was the chief program engineer. She was open, friendly, conversational and a solid representative

We first met Nancy Gioia at the launch of the Thunderbird Roadster where she was the chief program engineer. She was open, friendly, conversational and a solid representative

Car & Driver 10Best Cars for 2006 provides some interesting winners. VehlcleVoice provides a thoughtful counterpoint.

Car & Driver 10Best Cars for 2006 provides some interesting winners. VehlcleVoice provides a thoughtful counterpoint.

Crossover SUVs will outsell Traditional truck-based SUVs beginning in 2006. This forecast comes from George Pipas, Ford's Manager of Sales Analysis and Reporting in a presentation in Long Beach, CA on December 12, 2005.

Ford Edge - slotting Between Ford Escape soft-roader and Ford Explorer traditional SUV. After seeing the Lincoln Aviator in the flesh and the Ford Edge in photos, I'd take the Edge. Sharing the Aviator's package and platform, Edge comes across as more expressive than the blandmobile Aviator that is trying too hard to be a Lexus RX330.

The National Insurance Institute of Highway Safety announced its rankings of the ten safest 2006 model year cars on Sunday December 4, 2005. To make the ratings game easier to understand, NIIHS has developed a gold silver rating scheme.