Ford Launches Its Biggest Wave of New Products Ever

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January 2003 (Newstream) -- Ford Motor Company kicks off its centennial year in a big way at the 2003 North American International Auto Show in Detroit with its biggest wave of new product introductions ever.

Ford Motor Company and its global brands are introducing more than 15 new products at the show. The product onslaught -- unprecedented in the company's history -- is part of an intensive product-led movement to revitalize the company as it enters its second century.

Ford's Detroit show lineup of the future includes:

  • The Ford Freestyle FX is the world's first purpose-built crossover that can't be compared to anything else on the road. Unlike minivan- or car-based crossovers, the Freestyle FX's purpose-built platform maximizes performance and functionality. With just a push of a button, the Freestyle can transform into three different vehicles: a six-passenger sportwagon, a five-passenger sedan, or a five-passenger SportTrac-like vehicle with a cargo bed. The production Ford Freestyle is set to debut in 2004.


  • The Model U concept features the world's first supercharged internal combustion engine to run on hydrogen. Engine emissions are nearly zero making the Model U up to 25 percent more fuel-efficient than gasoline engines. The engine delivers many of the environmental benefits of fuel cells, but with less complexity and at a lower cost. The Model U also includes an advanced hybrid electric transmission system, which allows the car to operate on either its engine or electric motor, or both for extra power. The vehicle also is partially produced with advanced materials -- such as eco-effective polyester and polylactides -- which can be recycled and are safe for the environment.


  • The Ford 427 concept is a showpiece of the possible design direction for a future lineup of Ford cars. It was inspired by Ford's sedans of the 1960s. It's proportions are long, low-slung and wide and its powerful engine -- an a all-new lightweight 7.0 liter V-8 -- is almost 70 pounds lighter than the engine of today's Mustang.