The 2009 Ford Flex

Ford Motor Company has seen better days,

With record losses, bland new models, giant rebates on older models, and only the mustang to anchor the drifting company; many might think back to the iconic models of Ford’s yesteryears.

Enter the Ford Flex.

After years of production for the boring and sales lacking Ford Freestar and Mecury Monterey minivans, Ford has entered the world of the elite crossover.

Crossovers have existed for a decade in one form or another and were tipified with the introduction of the RX300 from Lexus. So, Ford entering this growing segment is needed but with every other manufacturer entereing the game as well, the waters ahead are rocky to say the least.

Luckily, Ford chose with this new model to draw on interesting styling and functionality rather than overall technology (as found in the Acura RDX) or sci-fi trechie styling that perforates most asian based crossovers.

What we end up with is the 2009 Ford Woodie…. whoops, should I say FORD FLex.

Accidentally harking back to the kitchy surf mobile made popular by california hippies in the 60’s, the Flex is immediately recognizable. It stands out in a sea of boring seemingly submersible blobs and razor edged SUVs.

With available seating for 7 and a choice of engines that can receive up to 26 mpg highway it should be gobbled up by the young adventurous family.

My only gripe with this particular mode of transportation with its slab sides and upright windshield is the lack of interior style. Ford continues to create bland uncomfortable looking interiors with bland panel fits and uninspired layouts.

KOLKATA: The Tatas have blown the whistle on  Singur  , or almost so. On Tuesday evening, the company has for the first time broken its silence after having silently pulled out all its staff from the besieged Singur factory on Thursday night.

The release says Tata Motors “suspends work” at Singur and that it is preparing “detailed plan to relocate the plant and machinery to an alternate site.”

“In view of the current situation, the company is evaluating alternate options for manufacturing the Nano car at other company facilities,” the statement said.

In some ways, this may not be construed as the ultimate and total pullout. However, if there is scope for any hope, this might be construed as near-final.

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NEW DELHI: The top management of Tata Motors has reportedly indicated internally that the company will pull the plug on Singur, if the situation does not improve within the next fortnight.

According to sources, even though the company can possibly dismantle its Singur plant and install it somewhere else, it will definitely lose Rs 100-200 crore on account of expenses incurred in laying the foundation, besides the inevitable delay in full-scale production of the Nano.

Auto industry sources say that the Nano launch may not get affected by the agitation in Singur, because the first batch of around 4,000-5,000 cars is reportedly already ready at Tata Motors’ Pantnagar and Pune plants.

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KOLKATA: Tata Motors on Tuesday said it would expand the footprint of Jaguar and Land Rover in India within a span of one year.

Rajiv Dubey, President (passenger car business), TML, told reporters at the launch of the Indica Vista here that the two premium European car brands definitely have a market in India.

He said that TML, which acquired the brands from Ford Motor Company earlier this year, would introduce the models in India through a separate distribution network.

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Ending all speculation about launching a car running on compressed air, Tata Motors on Tuesday said the technology is still at the development stage and “a launch in the near future is ruled out”, reports Debjoy Sengupta in Kolkata.

“The technology for an automobile engine that runs on compressed air is still in the development stage and launch of cars fitted with such engines from the Tata Motors stable in the near future is ruled out,” Rajiv Dube, president (passenger cars) told ET.

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NEW DELHI: Will the lakhtakia car lose its way? While the aam aadmi is still waiting to ride his first Nano home, Tata’s one lakh car is facing a rough ride so far. And after Ratan Tata’s threat to pull out of Singur, Nano suppliers are feeling unsettled too. Most have invested crores in their units already, their buildings are ready, machinery has been shifted. But after yesterday, their mood has turned grey.

“Our unit has been ready for the past two months and we were looking to start production two months back,” says Lord Swaraj Paul. Paul’s company Caparo which will supply body parts to the Nano is waiting for a green signal from the Tata’s to start production.

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SINGUR: A day after Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata left it to the people of West Bengal to come clear whether they wanted him in West Bengal, farmers at large rallied behind the car factory in Singur, despite their hardship.

Even those who will be joining the Trinamool Congress stir on Sunday don’t want the Tatas to pull out. This is the general feeling among landlosers in Beraberi Purbapara and Gopalnagar Ghoshpara areas where many didn’t collect the compensation cheques.

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MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has invited Tata Motors Chairman Ratan Tata to set up the `Nano’ small car project in the state as it decides to move out from West Bengal, where it is mired in controversy.

“The Tatas will be accorded red carpet welcome to set up the project in Maharashtra and will be given land and necessary facilities,” Deshmukh said in a statement here on Saturday.

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Mumbai, Aug. 22 Tata Motors much awaited new Indica which is christened Indica Vista will be launched on Saturday.

The launch, which is almost a year late from its initial schedule, comes at a time when sale of the 10-year-old Indica brand is declining in recent months. Indica reported a 32 per cent drop at 7,525 units in July.

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According to a German press report, Tata Motors, which is planning to produce the world`s cheapest car selling at EUR 1,700, also has plans to produce an electric-drive version, reports Economic Times.

The E-Nano would be built in cooperation with the Norwegian electric car specialist firm Miljoebil Grenland. The Tata Nano is a small car aimed at the mass Indian market and is set to go on sale later this year.

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