Ford to Roll Out 25 New Models in Europe within Five Years

In order to revive its European subsidiary, Ford is trying to replicate a tactic it used during 2008-2009 in the United States. The carmaker will launch 25 new models within the next five years as it awaits the recovery of the European car market.

An Autonews report said that Ford of Europe president Stephen Odell stated that the carmaker plans to add 25 vehicles in Europe in five years, up from the 15 planned last year. Odell told media at the Frankfurt Motor Show that the 25 vehicles will be both lineup additions and new generations of models, but will not be variants. However, he did not name any of those models.

According to Barb Samardzich, Ford of Europe’s head of product development, Ford wants to be in a good position when the market recovers in order to gain share in Europe. “It’s the same exact strategy as in North America: to make sure that our portfolio was the best ever when the economy turned around,” said Samardzich.

Although it sounds like a very ambitious plan, Samardzich explained that the process will be helped by the company’s One Ford global strategy of common platforms and powertrains.

He gave the example of the India-built EcoSport compact crossover, which took 18 months to be moved into its European lineup. The EcoSport will be manufactured in Russia and will arrive in European showrooms late this year.

Ford also reconfirmed its target to post a profit in Europe for 2015, helped by the cutting of 18 percent of production capacity along with the addition of new products.

By Dan Mihalascu

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