[Detnews]

[J.D.Power]

How's this for an odd twist – Ford essentially kicked off the SUV craze with its Explorer, an embiggened four-door Ranger. And man, did we go crazy. Before the cheap-gas bubble burst, slightly more than half of all passenger vehicles sold here in America were SUVs. Just below the Explorer was and is Ford's little truck (which is no longer little) the Escape. And almost ten years later, the Escape pretty much looks like a body-on-frame SUV, even though people stopped associating SUVs with mud during George W Bush's first term.

So what if the next Escape looked more like the CUV that it actually is, and less like the SUV it isn't? And what if Lincoln got a version? Mercury too, though they already have the Mariner, a rebadged Escape. Also, what if the next escape was built here, but then badged as a Kuga and sold in Europe? According to CEO Alan Mulally and some other, more chatty Ford folks, it's all more than possible.

The latter is really interesting, and shows you just how far the dollar has fallen against the Euro. And it also shows you Ford's One Ford strategy at work – wherein starting very soon, most Ford cars are going to be global in nature. Aside from essential legal parts (like standard stability control in U.S. vehicles) the cars can be sold wherever. Built wherever, too. For instance, the Ford Fiesta, which will be coming to our shores next year, is Ford's best selling car in Europe and will soon be built only in Mexico and shipped both across the border and across the Atlantic.

Back to the Kuga, the plan is to begin building the Kuga in Louisville, Kentucky in late 2011 for export to Europe. Sometime after that, the Kuga will replace the Escape and the Lincoln/Mercury editions. Moreover, this could be the start of a trend – Fords being built in the U.S. for export across the pond.

Ford Motor Company and the leadership of the Canadian Auto Workers union have reached a tentative agreement after a marathon four-day wrap-up to negotiations. Union membership needs to approve the deal, which will guarantee a Great White North presence for Ford until at least 2012. Voting is underway this weekend, and if approved, the CAW will be responsible for building 10 percent of Ford's North American production, down from the current 13 percent, which the union had been trying to hold on to.

Workers did agree to time off reductions, and pledged that new employees will have to pay into their pensions. Ford's given its word that the company will build as many vehicles in Canada as it sells there, and the union deemed the pledge good enough to grant GM- and Chrysler-style concessions to Ford.

The Panther platform has been given its last rites; the St. Thomas Assembly plant is the only Ford location currently building the body-on-frame biggies, and that plant will close in September 2011. The 1,600 people in Ontario who build Town Cars and Grand Marquis are understandably unhappy about word that Ford intends to shutter the plant, but the Panther has cheated death more than once. This time, it may stick.

Better news for CAW members is that Ford's Oakville assembly complex, also in Ontario, has the go-ahead to add a third shift when needed. Ford also says it will manufacture a new vehicle at Oakville, which currently builds the Edge, Flex, MKX, and MKT crossovers, but that will likely come after the current labor agreement expires.

Source: CBC News

One of Lincoln's past concept cars, the Sentinel luxury sedan study from the 1996 Detroit Auto Show has been put up for sale on eBay Motors. The 'Buy it Now' price for the concept car that supposedly fused styling traits from classic vehicles such as the 1961 Continental and the Facel Vega Excellence of the late 1950s (don't ask) with Ford's "New Edge" design theme is $48,500 US.

And yes, the front end styling does remind us of Renault's Vel Satis luxury model that was introduced in 2001 and is still under production.

This is not the first time that the Sentinel showcar has been listed for auction as back in April, O.C. Welch Ford Lincoln-Mercury in Hardeeville, South Carolina tried to sell the concept study for $80,000 without any success.

Mind you, the Sentinel is a static showpiece built on a rolling chassis without an engine and a proper interior.

Link: eBay , Via: Jalopnik

FoMoCo is expanding its 2010 Lincoln MKZ lineup with the introduction of a more luxurious trim-level called Executive Appearance Package that adds more wood finish and upgraded trim in the interior. More specifically, aside from the genuine (sic) walnut wood accents on the instrument panel and the center console, the MKZ's interior is upgraded with leather seats, unique door trim with stitching, a specific console armrest insert and floor mats.

Offered with a choice of five exterior colors (Tuxedo black, white Platinum, Brilliant silver, Sterling gray and Sangria) the Executive Appearance Package will be available for order in late summer. Ford has yet to release pricing (or photos) for the new trim-level.

Via carscoop