Ford at the Motorshow
With one of the largest stands at the KL International Motorshow, Ford Malaysia displayed no less than 14 vehicles, ranging from US-only models to models that will only be on sale next year. The number of new models that are due to be introduced is impressive and 2001 is certainly a year which will see Ford figuring prominently in the sales charts among the non-national makes.
“We’ve seen our sales improving this year and have overtaken Honda to be in third position among the non-national makes, after Toyota and Nissan,” said a proud Richard Canny, Managing Director of Ford Malaysia, during a special preview for the press. Unusual for the top executive of a motor company in Malaysia, Mr Canny practically managed the session himself, and personally introduced the models on display to the press.
LYNX LS
It’s hard to say which model was the ‘star Ford’ but the new Ford Lynx LS is likely to attract a lot of attention because it is not on sale yet – and won’t be till March 2001. According to Mr Canny, there are still some things to be sorted out with the model and the company was using the motorshow as an opportunity to get customer feedback on matters like equipment.
The car is unlike the Lynx sedans you may have seen from Singapore and is a more upmarket design, albeit using the same new platform as the Lynx S which goes on sale from this weekend. It has prominent jewel-like headlights which are said to be the first of their type in the country.
Mr Canny explained that the development of the Lynx LS was done in collaboration with Ford’s Taiwanese unit which had successfully developed a Lynx variant on its own. “It’s not the same as what they have and can be regarded as an ‘evolution’ of their model,” he explained. The Lynx LS is likely to become an additional model which Ford will sell in Asian countries.
RANGER EXTREME
With the Ford Ranger having been largely responsible for Ford’s surge in sales locally, it’s not surprising that the company is giving a lot of attention to its future and looking at variants. One concept which the public can see at the motorshow is the Ranger Extreme jointly developed with Tickford Asia-Pacific, Ford’s tuning and performance partners.
The Ranger Extreme has a unique front-end appearance – a unique front grille, dual front lamps, huge bonnet scoop and distinctive skidplate. At the back, there’s a sports-bar, new rear bumper, and a radical new feature – a lockable hard tonneau cover that keeps your gear safe and secure. The tonneau cover, constructed entirely from composite materials, is integrated with the rear sports-bar and features dual telescopic gas struts, along with a secure locking mechanism. If required, it can also be removed and re-fitted by the owner.
Living up to its suffix, the Ranger Extreme is fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels, shod with Goodyear 265/70 R16 tyres. This has necessitated larger wheel-arch flares that fully cover the wheels and tyres. The lower edges of the doors and rocker panel are protected with Reaction Injection Moulded (RIM) Polyurethane mouldings.
Interior treatment has not yet been decided although it may be equally bold. There are no plans to replace the proven Ford 2.5 litre WLT turbodiesel which is presently the most powerful diesel engine in its class.
Mr Canny seemed quite optimistic about offering this variant in future and even went to the extent of suggesting that it could cost around RM87,000. “We would very much like to hear from the public about this concept and also what sort of colours they would like to see it in.”
FORD TRADER
Over the past 17 years, more than 6,000 Ford Traders have been sold, and it is estimated that the vehicles have been driven more than 900 million kilometres and carried 12 million tonnes. Clearly, this Ford has been one of the workhorses of the nation.
Now comes a new generation with updated looks and stronger capabilities. The new Trader range features three models – a 3-tonne (payload) model tagged as Ford Trader 3T that is rated at 5,000 Kg GVW, a Trader 3TL, also rated at 5,000 Kg and a Trader 4T, rated at 7,100 Kg GVW.
The 3T Trader has a 4.27-metre tray length, while the 3TL models also have the same tray length but with a stronger, heavier chassis and a 4.0 litre engine. Powertrains are a 3.0 litre for the 3T and a 4.0 litre diesel for the 3TL and 4T models. All engines are “green engines” which means they qualify for a 50% rebate on roadtax.
Inside, the cabin is more like that of a modern passenger car than a workhorse truck. For the first time, the Trader will include integrated factory installed air-conditioning as standard. With its commanding forward view, and special safety side glass doors to see nearby objects, the new cabin dramatically improves visibility for the driver.
The Trader range also features a power clutch – sure to be much appreciated by drivers operating the Trader in the busy urban areas. This feature dramatically reduces the effort for the driver when changing gears.
The all-new Trader goes on sale in February 2001, and pricing will be announced in January.
RANGER UiTM
Demonstrating its commitment to be a good corporate citizen in the country it does business in, Ford Malaysia has given students at UiTM (Universiti Teknologi MARA) an opportunity to develop a concept truck for the company. The vehicle was developed using a Ford Ranger supplied by Ford Malaysia.
Fifteen third-year UiTM students doing an Industrial Design course participated in the project and worked with Ford engineers. They were chosen for the project after Ford Malaysia had been impressed by their potential from the entries they submitted for the ‘Ford of the Next Millennium Design’ held last year.
Explaining the work done on the concept truck, Mohd Hariri Abdullah, the project coordinator at UiTM said that the students had done a lot of research on the Ranger as well as its competitors. From the information they gained and from talking to customers, they incorporated many ideas they felt customers would want.
Other models being displayed at the Ford stand are the SVT150 Lightning, Explorer Sport-Trac, Escape, Focus, New Lynx S, New Econovan, New Spectron, Mustang GT, Ranger Splash and a special ‘Sony’ Ranger. Information on these models has already been presented earlier in our Emzine (click on link to get there).
