Ford Has a Better Idea: Future Model Plans
1 September 1998
Mustang Ford will be unveiling its new 1999 Mustang in Los Angeles later this week, and everyone is expecting some touches from the 1964-65 'original' successful models. While the configuration of the coupe and convertible will not change, a few exterior touches will be new. The Mustang will get a completely new look in 2002. CONTOUR This may be the last year for the Contour. It now looks and assembly will move from Kansas City to a plant in Mexico. Focus The Escort will be replaced by the Focus in 2001, and will be engineered in Germany and hopefully cost $1,000 less than the present Escort. The Escort will be around until then, and the ZX2 Coupe is the leader in sales. Thunderbird The Bird was dropped in 1997, but it certainly is not out of FOMOCO's future plans, as it will return in 2001 with a retro look reminiscent of the first T-Birds with port holes in the lift off top. Taurus Look for the bell weather car of the Ford lineup to get some styling cues from the Lincoln LS and the more-popular-than-ever Town Car. In 2000, this model will be overhauled with a new grill, softer lines/curves. New Sport Wagon Taurus, of course, will be available as a wagon, but Mercury's Sable look-alike will debut a new Sport Wagon which would be sort of wagon/sport ute in its styling New Sport Ute Toyota and Honda have mini sport utility models, and Ford wants a piece of this niche. The company is testing the U204 wagon/ute for a possible year 2000 entry.