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Detroit Report Part 1: Fords Year of the Car

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New Five Hundred Smaller than Crown Vic on Outside but Large Inside

DETROIT--Ford Motor Company is calling 2004 "The Year of the Car" as it introduces five new car and crossover vehicles in an effort to recapture or even just hold onto market segments that it had virtually ignored during much of the 1990s.

Two of those cars will be the Ford Freestyle crossover vehicle and the Five Hundred, a large sedan. Pre-production versions of both cars were shown off during the 2004 North American International Auto Show.

Granted, Ford did introduce the award-winning, but recall plagued

A pair of Ford Motor Companys 2005 Five Hundreds sit on the stage following their introduction Sunday January 4, 2004 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

Sitting outside of Detroits Cobo Convention Center in the rain, with the Ambassador Bridge to Windsor, Ontario, in the background, the 2005 Ford Five Hundred is one of six new cars and crossover vehicles that the automaker is releasing in its "Year of the Car." (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

And, even then, it had taken its "eye off the ball," developing its mainstream vehicles, during the late 1990 and early 2000 period by concentrating on acquiring Volvo Cars and Land Rover and failed deals to buy BMW, Kia and Daewoo. The company had basically become a truck maker that seemed to build cars on the side while

The new 2005 Ford Freestyle, sitting here outside of Detroits Cobo Convention Center, combines the ride and performance of a sedan with the cargo and people carrying capabilities of a minivan, and the styling of a sport utility vehicle. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

Fords great passion for great products is alive and well, though, said Nick Scheele, the company president and chief operating officer. The company is introducing 65 new Ford and Lincoln Mercury vehicles in the next five years.

"We have taken to calling 2004 the year of the car inside the company because we are introducing five new cars and crossover vehicles plus a few surprises," Scheele said. "We are moving forward with... great products, a strong

The Freestyles instrument panel is uncluttered with controls and gauges where a driver would expect them. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

Examining the Freestyle and Five Hundred

The Ford Freestyle crossover is built off of the Volvo P2 platform--the same one as the award-winning XC90 sport-utility vehicle--and comes with standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. It is also equipped with a standard 3.0-liter, 24-valve Duratec 30 V6 engine, manufactured at Fords Cleveland Engine Plant Number One, which delivers 200-hp and 200 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The vehicle features SUV design cues, such as its upright stance, a large front grille, large prominent side mirrors, a roof rack, standard

Where most sedans brag that they can fit two full-size golf club bags, the new Ford Five Hundred has a cavernous trunk that can hold up to eight golf bags. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

"In San Diego, we had a guy, in his mid 30s, went to the clinic and after the clinic he put his hands on his hips and said, I like this vehicle. It works for my family but it also works for me, because when I go out, I want to be stylish," said Amy Marentic, marketing manager for the Freestyle and Five Hundred.

Competition for the Freestyle would include the Chrysler Pacifica, Buick Rendezvous, Honda Pilot, and the Toyota Highlander.