BRAND NEW FORD S-MAX SMAX MPV
COLOGNE, Germany, Jan 10, 2006 - Ford of
Europe has officially named the production
version of its acclaimed SAV Concept
vehicle. It will be called the Ford S-MAX to
indicate that it matches sports style and
exquisite driving pleasure with flexible and
spacious accommodation.
The Ford S-MAX is a new model in the Ford
of Europe vehicle portfolio, building on the
successful Focus C-MAX multi-activity
vehicle and positioned between the Mondeo
Wagon and the seven-seat Galaxy MPV. It will
be built alongside the new Ford Galaxy and
the Mondeo, at Ford's production facility in
Genk, Belgium. Prices will be announced
around the time the S-MAX goes on sale in
the middle of this year.
Further details and technical
specifications will be released to coincide
with the car's public debut at the 2006
Geneva Motor Show in March.
A new name for a new type of vehicle
The Ford S-MAX demonstrates the potential
within the large car market for a
non-traditional three-seat-row vehicle with
the profile, proportions and appearance that
reflect an active lifestyle. It also
indicates the potential for even more
diversity in the heart of the Ford family
car range, taking Ford into a new segment of
the market.
S-MAX customers will be able to specify
the vehicle with either a two or three seat
row version of the new Ford Fold Flat System
(FFS) providing a 5-seat, or 5+2 seating
configuration. This takes the flexible
accommodation offered by Ford's other MAX
vehicle, the Ford Focus C-MAX, one step
further, while its S designation indicates
that maximum space is provided in a sporty
profile, and without sacrificing driving
pleasure or style.
Ford design and engineering
With the Ford S-MAX and the new Ford Galaxy,
Ford is expanding its presence significantly
in the large car market. To do this, the
Company has executed the programme
completely in-house, in contrast with the
joint venture that produced the highly
successful, previous Ford Galaxy model. The
S-MAX is the first production model from the
Company to feature elements of the kinetic
design direction first shown on the iosis
concept vehicle at the Frankfurt Motor Show
last year.
This has been made possible by Ford's
shared technology approach, which has the
potential to create more diverse body styles
and vehicle formats.
Production in Belgium
The Ford S-MAX is being produced in Genk,
Belgium, home of the Ford Mondeo, where a
715 million Euro investment programme is
currently being implemented, primarily in a
new flexible manufacturing system.
More than 12 million vehicles have been
built at Ford's Genk plant since it opened
in 1964. The Belgian facility is one of the
most modern vehicle assembly plants in
Europe and a cornerstone of Ford of Europe's
lean manufacturing strategy. Genk will also
produce the next generation Mondeo from
2007. The plant is currently working in two
shifts and employs 4,946 employees. Last
year 207,163 vehicles were produced at Genk.
BRAND NEW FORD S-MAX SMAX MPV
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