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September 27, 2006 This Week:
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The Right Product at the Right Time The five-passenger 2007 Ford Edge has a bold design with a stylish, functional and clever interior. It features a fuel-saving powertrain, with Ford's all-new 3.5-liter V-6 engine with best-in-class 265 horsepower mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Its highway fuel economy is anticipated to be in the mid-20s. Edge also features standard side curtain air bags and standard AdvanceTrac(R) with RSC(R) (Roll Stability Control). A laptop- friendly center console and standard MP3-player input jack also are included. In addition to optional all-wheel drive, the Edge is available with innovative features including a class-exclusive, all-glass available panoramic VistaRoof(TM) which gives a grand view of the sky and can open for a sense of freedom that front and rear passengers can enjoy. Anticipation Grows The new Edge already is generating excitement among consumers. Since the vehicle was unveiled in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, more than 930,000 consumers have visited the Edge Web site at http://www.fordvehicles.com/edge . Traffic on the Edge Web pages has jumped more than 125 percent since June, after Ford added a "crossover" tab on the http://fordvehicles.com/ home page. Driven by the Web, auto shows and other marketing activities, more than 45,000 consumers have asked for more information about the Edge and 3,200 have shared information from the Edge Web site with a friend. Two distinct trends have helped spur crossover growth: car buyers seeking more spacious and flexible interiors along with the confidence of AWD, and traditional SUV buyers looking for more fuel-efficient and maneuverable vehicles. This year, crossovers are expected to outsell the traditional SUV segment for the first time ever. Through August, industry crossover sales are up 8 percent at 1.62 million units. Already the fastest-growing vehicle segment in the United States, crossovers are expected to be the largest segment in the industry with sales of about 3 million units by the end of the decade. By 2009, the segment is expected to include more than 70 CUV models. Ford Motor Company outpaced the competition in CUV growth in 2005 and will stake an even stronger claim over the CUV market with the introduction of the new Edge, along with the new Lincoln MKX. As vehicle segments continue to shift in the marketplace, Edge will play a critical role in retaining existing Ford customers as well as drawing new customers into Ford dealerships. Ford expects that approximately 45 percent of Edge buyers will be customers who are new to Ford Motor Company. "The success of the Edge will prove that we can bring the same customer- focused intensity we have in trucks to new segments of the market," said Codina. "The total Edge package -- design, flexibility, fuel economy, fun-to- drive character and value -- gives us high confidence that we will win new customers." Exceptional Value The 2007 Ford Edge SE features a base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $25,995 for the well-equipped front-wheel-drive model and $27,645 for the all-wheel-drive model. (20 Sep 2006)
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