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| Like a lot of car manufacturers Ford has | | | | Ford’s European model range is now |
| struggled financially in recent years and has been | | | | based on the new ‘Kinetic’ design |
| forced to sell a number of major assets in an | | | | platform and has consolidated its designs to offer |
| attempt to return to profitability. | | | | an attractive collection of small, medium and large |
| During this time the company has seen its market | | | | vehicles. |
| position fall in 2007 from the World’s | | | | The vehicle which has attracted a lot of interest |
| second largest car manufacturer, a position it had | | | | recently is the new Kuga. Not to be mistaken |
| previously held for some 56 years, to become | | | | with the Cougar which along with the Probe was |
| third placed behind Toyota and General Motors | | | | an attempt to revive the Capri but proved to be |
| respectively. To make things worse Ford then | | | | a failure. |
| dropped to fourth place behind Volkswagen. | | | | Ford has been out of the 4x4 market for a while |
| Ford underwent some rather rapid restructuring | | | | largely due to its involvement with Land Rover |
| as a result and has jettisoned its two quality | | | | and Volvo so the Kuga has been eagerly awaited. |
| brands Jaguar and Land Rover to the Indian car | | | | The Kuga is a five door crossover vehicle and is |
| manufacturer TATA Motors. It has also sold | | | | only designed for occasional off-road use and is |
| Aston Martin to a consortium of businessmen led | | | | not intended to have the same capabilities or |
| by Prodrive Chairman Dave Richards, although it | | | | ground clearance as larger 4x4 vehicles. |
| has retained a financial holding in the company. | | | | This may not have been made clear to the |
| Financial restructuring has also taken place at | | | | presenter of the Channel 5 motoring programme |
| Volvo who are part of the Ford group. | | | | Fifth Gear. He was quite complimentary about the |
| Despite these recent problems Ford continues to | | | | Kuga but could not resist driving it into really |
| develop its successful model range and it is very | | | | punishing terrain that ultimately caused a reported |
| much business as usual for Ford Europe as Ford | | | | £7000 worth of damage. |
| USA attempts to get back on a stable business | | | | |