Ford Launches 2010 Vehicles

Ford Group Philippines (FGP) introduces 2010 editions of the Expedition Eddie Bauer EL, E-150 Club Wagon and Explorer Eddie Bauer. The firm said standards of business class driving were raised by offering larger full-size vehicles, equipped with state-of-the-art features and amenities — the 2010 editions now feature award-winning Ford SYNC connectivity and entertainment technology.

“The quest to meet and exceed our customers want and need never cease at Ford Motor Company,” said FGP president Richard Baker.

For more information please visit Ford.com.ph.

Ford Philippines Sales Up 24% in Third Quarter on New Lineup

Ford Philippines registered a 24 percent quarter-on-quarter growth vehicle sales in the third quarter despite the challenging business environment, the company’s top official said.

“We have one of the freshest lineups of new products in the country,” Ford Philippines president Rick Baker said. “Our product portfolio now boasts of new and significantly freshened vehicles that are class-leading in quality, fuel efficiency, safety and value. Our sales results reflect that our Filipino consumers continue to appreciate Ford’s efforts to produce vehicles they want and value.”

A total of eight new vehicles have been added to Ford Philippines’ portfolio over the last year. These are the new Escape in September 2008 and Focus in November 2008, and over the past nine months, the 2009 Expedition, the new Explorer and E-150 Club Wagon, the new Ranger, Everest, and most recently, the Ranger Wildtrak. Read more

Ford Philippines Exports 500 Units of Focus to Indonesia

Ford Motor Company Philippines (FMCP) announced that it has completed its largest fleet sales order to Indonesia as it exported over 500 units of locally made Ford Focus.

In a statement, FMCP president Rick Baker said that they sold 577 units of Ford Focus to the Indonesian National Police Force. Likewise, the Indonesian police purchased 591 Ford Rangers produced in AutoAlliance Thailand to complete the fleet order.

Exports account for roughly half of Ford’s total production volume. As of end of August, cumulative exports hit 62,500 units of Ford and Mazda vehicles worth $800 million. Read more

Ford Philippines Continues Record Sales Performance in August 2009

Ford Philippines recently reported a 17% increase in retail sales in August versus the same period last year, as customer demand for Ford’s high quality and fuel-efficient cars, crossovers, trucks and SUVs enabled the company to post record-high performance only shortly after its record-breaking sales in June 2009. Total sales from June to August were up 25% versus the same period a year ago.

Ford’s record sales in August comes hot on the heels of June’s retail results which represent the highest sales FGP has posted since March 2008.

“We have one of the freshest lineups of new products in the country,” said FGP President Rick Baker. “Our product portfolio now boasts of new and significantly freshened vehicles that are class-leading in quality, fuel-efficiency, safety and value. Our sales results reflect that our Filipino consumers continue to appreciate Ford’s efforts to produce vehicles they want and value.” Read more

Ford Philippines Unleashes New Everest

In a ride-and-drive media event held last week from the Ford showroom in Fort Bonifacio Global City to Clark in Pampanga and on to Baguio, Ford unveiled its new Everest, now sporting a new look and an array of contemporary features that give the 7-seat SUV fresh appeal to go with its “ built Ford tough” street cred.

The new Everest’s new design elements are led by a front design with a classy multi-bar chrome grille and chrome-accented lower grille that combines with sleek, wraparound headlamps and big 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels wrapped by wide 255/60R-18 tires for that upscale, sporty look.

“More than ever, Ford Everest is the SUV that brings everything together in one great package,” said Masaki Makihara, Everest chief platform engineer. Read more

Ford Philippines Asks Government to Relax Rules on Export Credits

Ford Motor Philippines has asked the government to relax the rules on export credits as the American automobile firm grapples with the worldwide crisis which has plagued the industry since last year.

In an interview, Board of Investments (BOI) managing head Elmer C. Hernandez said Ford has asked the government if it can suspend the rule on minimum export requirements because it will be unable to meet the agreed number of exports for this fiscal year. Ford’s fiscal year will end in May.

According to Hernandez, the request was made several months ago when Ford realized that it will not be able to export the required 5,000 units or $75 million worth of vehicles as agreed upon in the government’s export program. Read more

Despite Crisis, Ford Unveils Longer SUV

Despite the economic slowdown and fuel price swings, Ford Group Philippines recently launched its 2009 Expedition that is 14 inches longer than the previous model.

Those extra inches cost P100,000 as the 2009 Expedition Eddie Bauer Extended Length version carries a sticker price of P3.099 million, a Ford Philippines official said yesterday.

The previous Expedition models sell for a little less than P3 million.

“The launching of the 2009 Expedition affirms the belief of Ford in the future of the Philippine market, and we are here for the long haul,” the official said. Read more

Flat Philippine Sales for Full-Size Ford Vehicles Expected

Ford Group Philippines expects to sell the same number of its full-size car models this year amid a global economic slump.

The auto maker on Friday launched tweaked car versions that can accomodate a higher biofuel blend.

But the sports utility vehicle 2009 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer EL and the 2009 Ford E-150 Club Wagon van will not be the firm’s major sales drivers, an official said.

“These vehicles are helping to build the brand image of Ford. We sold 120 Expeditions in 2008, and if we sell 120 this year, that would be good,” Ford Group Philippines President Richard Baker told BusinessWorld on the sidelines of yesterday’s launch. Read more

Ford Philippines Says Layoff Options Open

Ford Group Philippines Inc. (FGPI) will ride a road eerie with uncertainties, so much so that its president said if the car industry further goes downhill, the local subsidiary of the Dearborn, Michigan-based vehicle-maker may shed off further its current 700 employees.

“If the industry continues to decline, we may revisit that option,” FGPI president Richard C. Baker said in a recent press briefing. However, the Ford executive was quick to add that “based on our outlook, there are no plans.”

As things are still unfolding, he said, “We’re closely monitoring the market.”

Baker spoke to reporters on the eve of a US jobless rate announcement of 7.2 percent, its highest for 16 years, as the United States further showed signs of deepening recession. Read more

Ford Philippines Post Higher Sales in 2008

Ford Group Philippines reported on Friday an increase in its 2008 sales and remains “cautiously optimistic” as it projects a flat sales growth for the company this year.

“Like Ford Motor Company globally, Ford Group Philippines experienced a lot of bright spots in 2008 despite all the gloom and doom for our industry that has been a constant in the headlines,” Richard Baker, Ford Group Philippines president, said in a briefing Friday.

The joint Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and Truck Manufacturers Association year-end industry sales report showed that Ford Group Philippines, which includes Mazda, posted a 3.5 percent year-on-year unit sales growth last year as it sold 7,747 units last year, compared with 7,486 in 2007. Read more

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