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Monday, 25 November, 2013 10:16 AM
Ford
debuts the Edge Concept at 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show
Automaker
to reveal new Mustang at special event on Dec. 5
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PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
The
all-new Ford Edge Concept was revealed during the automaker's press
conference on Nov. 20, 2013.
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LOS
ANGELES -- Last year, Dearborn-based Ford Motor Co. held
a big event outside the STAPLES Center with Rally driver Ken Block
to introduce the 2014 Ford Fiesta and smoke was going everywhere.
This year, the automaker scaled down its press conference at this
year’s 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show. It introduced the Ford
Edge Concept to the media inside the convention center.
"Nationwide,
Edge is outpacing its best and first full year of sales," said
Joe Hinrichs, Ford Motor Co.'s Executive Vice President of The Americas.
"Ford already offers more vehicles with automated technologies
than any other manufacturer with features such as adaptive cruise
control, park assist and a lane-keeping system. The vehicle you
are about to see builds on these features to explore the next level
of autonomous technology, aiming at positioning the Edge as the
most innovative utility in the segment."
He
said Ford is the best-selling brand of utility vehicles in America
for the third straight year. The utility segment was up 45 percent
in 2012 compared to 2011 and accounts for 17 percent of global automotive
market share. One out of every three vehicles sold is a utility,
according to the executive vice president.
"The
Edge Concept is inspired by the things customers love: head-turning
design, great driving dynamics, and technologies that make life
easier," said Raj Nair, Ford Motor Co.'s Group Vice President
of Global Product Development. "It introduces a sleek, athletic,
confident and capable appearance that’s perfectly suited for
the urban adventure. The LED headlamps light up pure white and features
turn signals that transform from chrome to bright amber when in
use. The Edge Concept is based on a global platform that was designed
and engineered with pure Ford DNA. The rear of the vehicle is fully
lit with LED tail lamps. We're introducing tomorrow's technology
today with semi-autonomous features to drive smarter and safer.”
Auto
StartStop is one of the biggest features on the Edge Concept. It
allows the vehicle to preserve fuel by turning off the engine at
red lights or traffic backups and then restarting when traffic resumes.
This new concept is equipped with 21-inch wheels and tires. It also
comes with fully-assisted parking aid, which allows the vehicle
to park itself in a parallel or a perpendicular parking space from
inside or outside of the vehicle. Another new feature is obstacle
avoidance, which alerts the driver of a possible collision and automatically
steers and slows the vehicle down. Finally, the Edge Concept also
has adaptive steering, which makes steering easier in all weather
conditions.
"Our
momentum will continue with even more vehicles starting on Dec.
5," Hinrichs added. "Now that the countdown to the all-new
Mustang has begun. Ford now commands 10.5 percent of the coastal
retail market just behind Toyota and Hyundai. We expect our coastal
growth to continue. Ford Fusion is also selling at record levels.
It is up 20 percent in the U.S. this year alone. It’s up almost
80 percent here in Los Angeles, growing eight times faster than
the overall segment. The Ford Escape is the first vehicle to break
the 150,000 mark in the first six months of the year. The Escape
is on track to break its all-time annual sales record. The Ford
F-Series is the best-selling pickup truck for 36 years in a row,
soon to be 37. Sales of F-Series trucks are up 20 percent this year.”
I
really like the new Edge Concept. It looks more like a production
vehicle than a concept, in my opinion. However, I was wondering
why Ford didn’t show off their new Mustang here in L.A. The
automaker will hold a special event on Dec. 5, but there are no
auto shows happening on that day. I think it was a missed opportunity
since thousands of news media were already in L.A. for the show.
General
admission tickets are $10 for weekdays and $12 for weekends (Fri.-Sun.).
Seniors are $8, children (ages 6-12) are $6 and free for children
ages five and under. Discounted group tickets are available for
groups of 50 or more and can be purchased by calling (310) 444-1850.
The Los Angeles Convention Center is located at 1201 S. Figueroa
St. in Los Angeles. For more information or to purchase tickets
to the Los Angeles Auto Show, visit www.laautoshow.com.
BONUS
>> EXCLUSIVE:
Win a Pair of Tickets to the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show Public Days!
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
Auto
StartStop allows the Edge Concept to preserve fuel by stopping the
engine at red lights.
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
Bottom
right exhaust and wheel
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
It
comes with Fully-Assisted Parking Aid, which allows the vehicle
to park itself and back itself out of a parking space.
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