If Mulally appears to be a corporate choirboy—he sticks to blue blazers and primary-color ties, and his comments generally do stay on the sunny side—that's just a public persona. Behind the scenes, the former aerospace engineer has been shrewd, nimble, and tough, with a decision-making style based on huge data dumps and a cool assessment of global trends. When he took over Ford, he made a radically simple diagnosis—if the company was to have a future, it had to fix its namesake brand—then followed through on the implications of the idea. He sold off the European luxury lines—Jaguar (TTM), Land Rover, Aston Martin, Volvo—and improved everything about the everyday Fords. His mission is to surpass Toyota (TM) and Volkswagen (VLKAY) not just in profit but also in reputation, even if it means suffering some bad quarters along the way.

The first glimpse of Lincoln's new look was scheduled to arrive in April 2011 at the New York Auto Show, say three people familiar with Ford's plans. Mulally had intended to unveil a concept of the next-generation MKZ sedan. Larger than the current model, it also looks more elegant while retaining the prominent split-bow grille Lincoln introduced three years ago, according to two people who have seen the car.

Just last month, Mulally opted to hold back that concept car to give Lincoln's new chief designer, Max Wolff, a chance to put his stamp on the brand. Ford poached Wolff, 38, from Cadillac in December. Just when the new Wolff-designed Lincoln will make its debut remains unclear; dealers remain anxious. "They need to refine their styling," says IHS Automotive analyst Rebecca Lindland, "because some of their products are turning heads for the wrong reasons."

In 2012, Lincoln will debut its small car, known tentatively as the MKC, which is based on the foundation of the Ford Focus. A small Lincoln SUV, based on the Ford Escape, will also hit showrooms in 2012 along with a larger sport-ute aimed at taking on the Lexus RX 350, the people say. The next generation of Lincolns designed entirely by Wolff, however, lies beyond those remakes.

Second Engine Plant In China For Ford

By Ford Motor Company,
Monday, September 27, 2010

As reported by Ford

CHONGQING, China – Ford and its partners are building a new engine plant in China to support future products and ambitious growth plans.

Ford's joint venture, Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Ltd (CFMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding today with the Chongqing Municipal Government to build a new, state-of-the-art engine plant in Chongqing. The US$ 500 million (RMB 3.4 billion) investment will be funded entirely by CFMA and will be located in Chongqing's New North Zone.

CFMA is a three-way joint venture among Changan Motors, Ford Motor Company and Mazda Motor Company.

"This new engine plant will help power our ambitious expansion plans here in the world's largest automotive market," said Joe Hinrichs, Ford's president, Asia Pacific and Africa "We are working hard to expand sales and production here, and to offer more of the great vehicles from our global portfolio here in China and throughout the region. The growth potential in this part of the world in the next ten years is astounding."

Construction of the new plant is planned to begin next year, with engine production starting in 2013. With the additional capacity of 400,000 units at the new plant, CFMA is more than doubling its existing engine capacity of 350,000, to 750,000 engines annually.

CFMA currently operates two vehicle assembly plants, one in Chongqing and the other in Nanjing. Last September, CFMA broke ground in Chongqing for its third vehicle assembly plant, which will start producing Ford's global flagship C-segment car, the next generation Focus in 2012.

"This investment will significantly expand our manufacturing capabilities and product offering in China," said Robert Graziano, chairman and CEO, Ford Motor China. "We have big plans for China. As part of our 'Better Plan' for China, we will continue to expand vehicle and engine production, grow our dealer network, and grow our team of local talents."

After several years of considerable growth, CFMA has established itself as one of the leading passenger car manufacturers in China. CFMA is well known in China for its high quality cars, as well as its efforts to develop and introduce environmentally-friendly technologies.

Ford Motor Company's other partner in China, Jiangling Motors Corporation in Nanchang, produces class-leading commercial vehicles, including the Ford Transit, one of the best sellers in China's high-end light bus segment. JMC recently broke ground for a new commercial vehicle plant with an investment of US$ 300 million this July.

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