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SAV Concept Becomes New Ford Model In Europe

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By: Mike Thomas | Ford Communications Network



This new sports activity vehicle will feature either two or three rows of seating with a 5+2 seating arrangement. Sign up to receive more information about this new vehicle on the United Kingdom's version of ford.com.
GENK, Belgium, July 28, 2005 -- The concept star of the 2005 Geneva Auto Show is about to become a production reality for Ford Motor Company. The production version of the SAV Concept vehicle will become a new model early in 2006, produced at the Ford plant in Genk, Belgium.

At the Geneva show, the SAV was notable for two distinct qualities. It marked a new type of vehicle in Europe with few competitors, the sports activity vehicle. The SAV falls between the Mondeo sedan and the Galaxy minivan. With three rows of seats, the SAV is intended to offer a flexible family vehicle equally adept at transporting people and luggage.

In addition, the concept signaled a new direction for Ford of Europe's design. The production model will retain most of the concept's design characteristics: dynamic feature lines spanned by full surfaces to suggest muscularity, substance and solidity.

"Our approach was to provide a vehicle with the space and flexibility of a people mover, but with an entirely different emotional connection with the driver," said Geoff Gardner, exterior designer on the concept. "We aimed to create an extremely dynamic vehicle in both visual and performance terms that would convey a true sense of pride to the owner."

As far as the SAV's importance to future Ford of Europe designs, the vehicle is a first step. "Ford recognizes the importance of design appeals to customers and how this can translate into making our products even more exciting," said Martin Smith, executive director of Design, Ford of Europe.

"My role is to create the vision to achieve what will be the new face of Ford of Europe. It won't happen overnight, but the SAV Concept shows some important first steps. Think of the SAV as having planted the first seeds."

The final name of the production model and full technical details will become available closer to launch early in 2006. However, the new vehicle will incorporate most of the concept's unique qualities. In a different seating configuration from the concept, the production model will offer two or three rows in a 5+2 seating arrangement. The seating arrangement will be flexible to allow for luggage carrying.

The new vehicle is targeted towards people with active lifestyles, hence the sports activity vehicle designation. While the idea is familiar in North America, in Europe the vehicle provides Ford with the opportunity to enter a new niche. "The media and public reaction to the Ford SAV Concept at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show was outstanding, and it supported our decision to put a version of this vehicle into production," said Lewis Booth, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe. "Both sleek and purposeful, the Ford SAV Concept demonstrated new ideas for people- and load-carrying flexibility. The production model will stay true to the Concept vehicle's intent, and be highly attractive to our customers." The Genk plant in Belgium is currently undergoing a 715 million Euro investment program in a new flexible manufacturing system. Already scheduled for production at Genk are the Mondeo and the next generation Galaxy, with the new vehicle completing the plant's production lineup.





source:http://media.ford.com/newsroom/featu...?release=21263