MANILA, Philippines - When Alan Mullaly was brought in to lead Ford Motor Company, he brought with him the ability to create a vision, lead change, and above all, bring enthusiasm back to the Blue Oval. Under the One Ford strategy, Mulally provided a sharp focus for everyone to work towards: an exciting and viable Ford that delivers profitable growth for all. And since then, everyone from dealers to customers, suppliers to workers, has steadily marched towards that reality.
Ford realized that the main driving force behind this change are the cars themselves. Ford invested in the development of new models and it has paid off handsomely. Ford focused on delivering cars which would be the best in their class in four key areas: Quality, Fuel efficiency, Safety, and Value. Fine examples of world-class products embodying the One Ford strategy are segment-defining vehicles such as the Ford Fiesta, all-new Ford Focus, and iconic Ford Mustang.
All-new Ford Fiesta: The trend-setting bestseller
With over 5,753 units sold since its Philippine launch in October 2010 (3,401 in its full retail year alone), the all-new Ford Fiesta remains the country’s best-selling hatchback. The award-winning small car has also gathered numerous accolades such as the 2010-2011 Car of the Year – Philippines’s Best Sub-Compact and the Best Sub-Compact in the 7th Annual C! Awards.
The Fiesta is flashy as flashy gets. High-end models gets Bluetooth voice command, the PowerShift dual-clutch six-speed automatic transmission, electronic stability program and even Hill Launch Assist. And though the center of attention has always been the tech-laden Sport model, there are nine variants of the Fiesta available. The Fiesta delivers a best-in-class combination of design, fuel efficiency, quality, safety, and smart technologies. The sheer amount of choices, coupled with its mix of design and features, has made the Fiesta the fastest-selling nameplate in Ford Philippines’s history and one of the bestselling cars in the highly competitive subcompact segment.
The Fiesta started the transformation of Ford in the Philippines from a relatively niche player into a mainstream brand. It’s driving overall sales and market share gains both in the Philippines and in the ASEAN region.
All-new Ford Focus: Starting a smart revolution
Taking advantage of Ford’s One Ford strategy, the all-new Focus is brimming with technology, most of which hasn’t been seen in its segment. Technologies such as Active Park Assist, Active City Stop, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) and Smart Keyless Entry are featured in the all-new Focus.
From the outside, the new Focus is sleek with the latest interpretation of the “kinetic design” form language while underneath, it features a class-leading suspension for sporty driving. Leading the way is the award-winning Ford Sync, which provides hands-free, voice-activated connectivity.
With Active Park Assist, the new Focus can parallel park itself, totally hands-free, using sensors to identify a suitable parking spot and then steer the car into place. The driver only needs to control the brake and gas pedals.
Thanks to Active City Stop, the new Focus can help drivers avoid low-speed collisions. Sensors in the Focus monitor the road ahead for stationary traffic, and apply the brakes automatically if a car in front has stopped unexpectedly. And with BLIS, the Focus can detect when a vehicle enters the Focus’ blind spot and issue a corresponding warning in instances such as changing lanes or parking with limited visibility.
Ford has raised the bar with the Ford Fiesta, and now, it’s looking to replicate that feat with the Ford Focus. The new Focus delivers class-leading design, performance, and smart technologies to the masses.
All-New Ford Mustang: The icon arrives
The pony car is here! The design of the all-new Ford Mustang is both iconic and modern. There’s a lot of masculinity with the angular design and those meaty 19-inch wheels. Unlike its legendary forebear, which played simplicity over comfort, the new Mustang oozes luxury with features like a glass-panel roof, dual-zone climate control, leather seats, auto-dimming rear view mirror, power-adjustable seats, and a rear back-up camera.
Aside from its killer looks and features, this is one of the most powerful vehicles in the Philippines with 420 hp and 529 Nm of torque. Twisting the ignition key fires the gutsy 5.0-liter V8 to life. It provides both the unequivocal message of freedom as well as the history that comes with this venerable muscle car.
Ford is now a completely different car company than it once was, with a spirit of ingenuity permeating every aspect of the company. The all-new Ford Fiesta, all-new Ford Focus, and all-new Ford Mustang are perfect examples of this transformation. Through the One Ford strategy, Ford has realized that people should not only love the brand, but the cars as well. More than anything, it’s a return to Henry Ford’s original inventive spirit, and a clear sign that all is well at the Blue Oval.