Monday, February 3, 2003
By Mark Truby / The Detroit News
Ford will unveil the new name for its Windstar minivan this month, something that will begin with the letter F.
SAN FRANCISCO -- Ford Motor Co. plans to change the name of its Windstar minivan when it introduces the all-new version of the vehicle later this month, part of an effort by the automaker to give its cars and minivans more uniform and distinct names.
Ford is closely guarding the new name, but it will begin with the letter F, Steve Lyons, president of Ford Division, said Friday at a National Automobile Dealers Association meeting.
The automaker hopes a new name will draw attention to the changes Ford is making to the minivan. The redesigned version, which will be shown at the Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 13 and go on sale in September, will feature a new fold-flat third-row seat, an upgraded interior and a more powerful engine.
"We think the change to the vehicle is significant and it's time to signal a change," Lyons said. "It's not something we took lightly. The Windstar name was recognized for safety, but we need to evolve."
Ford sold 148,875 Windstars in 2002, down 17 percent from 2001. The Windstar is the second best-selling minivan on the market, behind the Honda Odyssey.
The majority of Ford's car and minivan names will begin with F going forward, Lyons said.
Ford already has the Focus small-car and will start selling a Five-Hundred sedan and Freestyle crossover vehicles next year. A midsize sedan, due out in 2005, expected to eventually replace the Taurus, also is expected to have a name beginning with F.
Ford doesn't plan to change the name of the Mustang coupe or Thunderbird convertible, Lyons said, because both names are popular and have historical significance.
A similar naming strategy is under way at the company's Mercury brand. In addition to the Mountaineer SUV and Marauder sedan, the new Mercury minivan will be called the Monterrey. Two future Mercury sedans also are likely to have monikers beginning with M.
By Mark Truby / The Detroit News
Ford will unveil the new name for its Windstar minivan this month, something that will begin with the letter F.
SAN FRANCISCO -- Ford Motor Co. plans to change the name of its Windstar minivan when it introduces the all-new version of the vehicle later this month, part of an effort by the automaker to give its cars and minivans more uniform and distinct names.
Ford is closely guarding the new name, but it will begin with the letter F, Steve Lyons, president of Ford Division, said Friday at a National Automobile Dealers Association meeting.
The automaker hopes a new name will draw attention to the changes Ford is making to the minivan. The redesigned version, which will be shown at the Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 13 and go on sale in September, will feature a new fold-flat third-row seat, an upgraded interior and a more powerful engine.
"We think the change to the vehicle is significant and it's time to signal a change," Lyons said. "It's not something we took lightly. The Windstar name was recognized for safety, but we need to evolve."
Ford sold 148,875 Windstars in 2002, down 17 percent from 2001. The Windstar is the second best-selling minivan on the market, behind the Honda Odyssey.
The majority of Ford's car and minivan names will begin with F going forward, Lyons said.
Ford already has the Focus small-car and will start selling a Five-Hundred sedan and Freestyle crossover vehicles next year. A midsize sedan, due out in 2005, expected to eventually replace the Taurus, also is expected to have a name beginning with F.
Ford doesn't plan to change the name of the Mustang coupe or Thunderbird convertible, Lyons said, because both names are popular and have historical significance.
A similar naming strategy is under way at the company's Mercury brand. In addition to the Mountaineer SUV and Marauder sedan, the new Mercury minivan will be called the Monterrey. Two future Mercury sedans also are likely to have monikers beginning with M.