Ford SAV Concept into Production

Press Release

Ford Sports Activity Vehicle to extend European range

Ford of Europe's SAV Concept vehicle, which captured the imagination of both the media and public at the recent Geneva Auto Show, will soon become a production reality. Early, heavily disguised prototypes are already on test at Ford's Product Development centres in Germany, Belgium and Britain.

The production version of the SAV Concept will become a new model in the Ford of Europe portfolio, where it will be positioned between the Ford Mondeo and the Ford Galaxy MPV. It will be built at Ford's production facility in Genk, Belgium.

The final name of the production model and full technical details will be revealed closer to its launch, early in 2006.

A new model and a fresh approach

The Ford SAV Concept demonstrated a fresh approach in two ways. First, it previewed a new breed of Ford, the Sports Activity Vehicle, for which there are few direct competitors. The SAV Concept is distinct as a three-row mono-space vehicle that is athletic both in its appearance and in the way it drives. Second, the Ford SAV Concept provided a suitably dynamic form to reveal the emergence of a new design direction for Ford of Europe.

"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, CEO and chairman, 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."

Designed for an active lifestyle

The Ford SAV Concept set out to demonstrate the potential within the family car market for a non-traditional three seat row vehicle with the profile, proportions and appearance that reflect an active lifestyle. The production model will demonstrate the possibilities for even more diversity in the heart of the Ford family car range, and take Ford into a new segment of the market.

The production vehicle will retain most of the dynamic design themes featured on the concept vehicle. However, it will offer two or three highly flexible seat rows providing a 5+2 seating set up, rather than the unique two/three seat row configuration for five people and their luggage that was featured on the Concept.

This new addition to Ford's family car range provides further proof of the potential offered by Ford's shared technology approach to create more diverse body styles and vehicle formats.

Production in Belgium

The production version of the Ford SAV Concept will be produced in Genk, Belgium, home of the Ford Mondeo, where currently a 715 million Euro investment programme is 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. Over a rich history spanning more than 40 years, Genk has taken responsibility for assembly of the Ford Taunus 12M and the Ford Sierra. Since 1993, it has been the sole European production source of Ford's award-winning Mondeo.

"In November 2003, we announced that the investment in our Genk plant would result in it producing the Mondeo, the next generation Galaxy and a third unspecified vehicle," said John Fleming, President, Ford of Europe. "Today, we are confirming what that third new vehicle will be - the production model of the Ford SAV Concept."

The plant is currently working in two shifts and employs 4,946 employees. Last year 207,163 vehicles were produced at Genk.