Ford's North American operation is looking to Europe to help it in its crucial quest to downsize its product line-up to meet what it describes as "dramatically changing conditions". It has just unveiled the "One Ford" package, an accelerated programme to introduce smaller and more fuel-efficient models. It aims to have 40% of its North American offering shared with Ford of Europe by 2010, with 100%
alignment by 2013.
One key area is to rationalise its global LCV product range from the four platforms used for existing Econoline/Transit models to just one, which is expected to happen in 2011. The plans also state that mid-2009 will see the arrival of a new Transit Connect, to be built for Europe at a retooled plant in Romania, but which will also be sold in North America.
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