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Generation Z prefers Ford, wants better fuel efficiency

Fear not the future, dear green-car enthusiast. For the youngest drivers like good gas mileage. And they don't really like SUVs or trucks. Breathe easier. About 80 percent of drivers ages 16 to 21, part of what's known as 'Generation Z,' prefer cars more than any other type of larger light-duty vehicle, with about half of that group preferring compact cars, The Detroit News says, citing data company MaritzCX. That company polled about 1,100 prospective young car buyers and found them to put a priority on fuel economy because that group is... well, cheap. To put that demographic's vehicle choice into perspective, just a third of light-duty vehicles sold in the US last year were cars, while the rest were SUVs and trucks. So the future is bright, and possibly devoid of some of the smog we're now seeing. Meanwhile, Ford is the most popular brand among younger drivers, again reflecting that company's more recent emphasis on hybrids, plug-ins and high-fuel-economy gas-burning engines. Ford's US green car sales fell 1.4 percent last year to about 86,500 units (falling C-Max Hybrid demand pulled the American automaker's numbers down), so we'd think that this is very welcome news for the Blue Oval. Featured Gallery 2013 Ford C-Max Energi: First Drive View 20 Photos News Source: The Detroit News Green Ford Fuel Efficiency

New upscale Ford Taurus revealed in Shanghai

As much as the Ford Taurus may have going for it, we wouldn't classify it as a luxury sedan as much as a mass-market one. The story is different in China, however, where Ford has introduced an altogether more upscale version of the Taurus. Shown this weekend at the Shanghai Motor Show, the Chinese-market Taurus is longer and more luxurious than the sedan we know on these shores. For starters, its wheelbase has been stretched from 113 inches to 116. That means more legroom for the rear seat; useful in a market where the vehicle's owner is often chauffeured. Those rear seats can power-recline as well, with adjustable lumbar support and massage function. A fold-down armrest holds with controls for the seats, air-con and audio system. And panoramic sunroof tops the whole affair. That commodious cabin is wrapped in revised sheet metal that's designed to look decidedly more upscale as well. Power is provided by a 2.7-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 of unspecified output but which produces 315 horsepower in the Ford Edge, 325 in the F-150 and 335 in the Lincoln MKX. This version of the Taurus is earmarked specifically for the Chinese market for the time being, and set to be produced locally at the Changan Ford plant in Hangzhou. Scope out the images in the slideshow above and the details in the press release below for a closer look at Ford's new Chinese flagship. Related Video: 2015-4-18 | Shanghai, China New Ford Taurus Sets a New Benchmark for Large Sedans in China - Ford Taurus, a new premium business sedan for China, combines expressive design, exceptional craftsmanship and advanced technology - Taurus is the latest vehicle delivered as part of Ford's commitment to bring 15 new world-class vehicles to China by 2015 - Powerful, confident and inviting exterior design is matched by a spacious and elegant interior with carefully chosen materials for a sense of prestige - New high-output twin-turbo 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine offers effortless power with high efficiency - Taurus will be manufactured at new $760 million Changan Ford Hangzhou plant Introducing a new premium sedan for discerning Chinese business customers, Ford today unveiled the new Ford Taurus at a special event in Shanghai. Designed especially to meet the needs of the Chinese market, the vehicle brings the historic Taurus nameplate to China for the first time.

Ford will keep Escape and MKC plant open an extra week to meet demand

Crossovers keep selling like popular pastries, and for Ford, that means it needs to keep production going. The company announced that, rather than the usual two-week shutdown, its Louisville, Ky., assembly plant will be open for one of those weeks. The plant builds the Ford Escape and Lincoln MKC, which Ford reports have had record sales. According to Ford, Escape sales through May are up 3 percent, and MKC sales are up 10 percent compared with last year. In total, the Escape has sold about 130,000 units through May, and the MKC has sold around 11,000. Keeping the Louisville plant open will allow the company to build an additional 8,500 vehicles. Ford stated that all other assembly plants will continue with the two-week shutdown as scheduled. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Ford Escape: First Drive View 24 Photos Image Credit: Drew Phillips Plants/Manufacturing Ford Lincoln Crossover SUV Economy Cars Luxury lincoln mkc