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• Production version planned for Africa
• Advanced tech for emerging markets
• High-quality, efficient and affordable
The Ford Figo concept, a new global B-segment compact car described as "showing the brand's vision", will be on display at the first 'Go Further' event in Johannesburg in mid-July 2014.
Wheels24 first told you about the car in our report Ford concept 'global compact' vision where, by the way, you can also see a colour image.
Ford South Africa says the car "highlights premium design along with smart and safety features" as well as "providing an indication of the design language to be used in a future version of the popular Figo".
QUALITY STANDARDS
The company also confirmed that a production version was planned for South Africa and for sub-Saharan African markets though it did not yet have details and specifications.
Ford says it intends to set new standards for quality and craftsmanship in the B-segment and exceed the expectations of consumers in emerging markets.
Mark Kaufman, vice-president for Ford's sub-Sahara marketing, sales and service, enlarged: "We don't want consumers (he means people - Ed) to have to compromise when it comes to choosing modern design, value, safety, and technology in their cars.
"The Figo Concept offers all of the above in a package that will surprise many. Everybody - from first-time buyers to families looking at their second or third car - is demanding more from their car. With the Figo Concept we explore the possibilities of offering fresh design, a roomy interior, and the latest safety and connected technologies."
Its designers, Ford claims, used design elements common on more expensive vehicles. "We took a no compromises approach."
'GLOBAL DESIGN STANDARDS'
Moray Callum, Ford's vice-president for design, was clear on how he saw the car: "The design is clean and elegant to convey a sense of precision, efficiency and sophistication, and to provide our customers worldwide with the global standards of design, quality and performance for which they are looking."
On the menu, apparently, are power adjustment for the retractable exterior mirrors that, Ford says, will "help to remove the stress of driving through a busy and congested environment". They are also described as flexible to withstand "bumps from other cars and motorcycles". Neither idea is new, however.
The cabin - described as "spacious" but not appending "compared to what", is said to be "filled with innovative stowage spaces" which, for fun, one could argue is going to seriously cut down on the aforementioned "spaciousness".
Also, we are told, the Ford Figo Concept "delivers surprising features that bring the promise of tomorrow's technologies to drivers of compact vehicles". Which means, therefore, that they are no longer "of tomorrow" but actually, really, already here in the Figo!
'ONE FORD' PLAN
The car will also, Ford says, have "an innovative device dock" which, in the Figo Concept "introduces a new way to store, mount and charge devices such as mobile phones, MP3 players and satellite navigation systems, seamlessly integrating them into the car's entertainment system".
Callum adds: "The Figo Concept is the embodiment of how we are building on the One Ford plan to go further for all of our customers globally. The design builds on Ford's brand pillars (Quality, Green, Safe, Smart) to meet all the functional requirements customers expect while providing a package that is sure to surprise and delight."
Hmm, we shall see...
• Advanced tech for emerging markets
• High-quality, efficient and affordable
The Ford Figo concept, a new global B-segment compact car described as "showing the brand's vision", will be on display at the first 'Go Further' event in Johannesburg in mid-July 2014.
Wheels24 first told you about the car in our report Ford concept 'global compact' vision where, by the way, you can also see a colour image.
Ford South Africa says the car "highlights premium design along with smart and safety features" as well as "providing an indication of the design language to be used in a future version of the popular Figo".
QUALITY STANDARDS
The company also confirmed that a production version was planned for South Africa and for sub-Saharan African markets though it did not yet have details and specifications.
Ford says it intends to set new standards for quality and craftsmanship in the B-segment and exceed the expectations of consumers in emerging markets.
Mark Kaufman, vice-president for Ford's sub-Sahara marketing, sales and service, enlarged: "We don't want consumers (he means people - Ed) to have to compromise when it comes to choosing modern design, value, safety, and technology in their cars.
"The Figo Concept offers all of the above in a package that will surprise many. Everybody - from first-time buyers to families looking at their second or third car - is demanding more from their car. With the Figo Concept we explore the possibilities of offering fresh design, a roomy interior, and the latest safety and connected technologies."
Its designers, Ford claims, used design elements common on more expensive vehicles. "We took a no compromises approach."
'GLOBAL DESIGN STANDARDS'
Moray Callum, Ford's vice-president for design, was clear on how he saw the car: "The design is clean and elegant to convey a sense of precision, efficiency and sophistication, and to provide our customers worldwide with the global standards of design, quality and performance for which they are looking."
On the menu, apparently, are power adjustment for the retractable exterior mirrors that, Ford says, will "help to remove the stress of driving through a busy and congested environment". They are also described as flexible to withstand "bumps from other cars and motorcycles". Neither idea is new, however.
The cabin - described as "spacious" but not appending "compared to what", is said to be "filled with innovative stowage spaces" which, for fun, one could argue is going to seriously cut down on the aforementioned "spaciousness".
Also, we are told, the Ford Figo Concept "delivers surprising features that bring the promise of tomorrow's technologies to drivers of compact vehicles". Which means, therefore, that they are no longer "of tomorrow" but actually, really, already here in the Figo!
'ONE FORD' PLAN
The car will also, Ford says, have "an innovative device dock" which, in the Figo Concept "introduces a new way to store, mount and charge devices such as mobile phones, MP3 players and satellite navigation systems, seamlessly integrating them into the car's entertainment system".
Callum adds: "The Figo Concept is the embodiment of how we are building on the One Ford plan to go further for all of our customers globally. The design builds on Ford's brand pillars (Quality, Green, Safe, Smart) to meet all the functional requirements customers expect while providing a package that is sure to surprise and delight."
Hmm, we shall see...
