“Oakville is vital to Ford’s global manufacturing system as we prepare to launch more vehicles this year than ever before,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president of The Americas. “The Oakville facility will offer world-leading flexibility, enabling us to react quickly and efficiently to shifts in consumer demand here in North America and around the globe.”

Ford’s global utility portfolio spans small, medium and large vehicles – from the compact EcoSport to midsize Explorer and full-size Expedition – to fit the needs of consumers around the globe in various life stages.

Ford will provide customers with more choices in 2014 as it plans an unprecedented product year launching 23 vehicles globally – 16 in North America, including the all-new global Edge.

Visitors to the Canadian International Auto Show will get a glimpse of the new Ford Edge Concept vehicle at the Ford stand, including a preview of automated driving options Ford is developing. These include:

• Fully assisted parking aid: Automatic parking technology allows for control from inside or outside the vehicle

• Obstacle avoidance: Automatically steers around an object when the driver does not; if the driver fails to react, the system will automatically steer and brake to avoid a collision

• Adaptive steering: The next step in steering technology leads to improvements in both low- and high-speed driving situations

In addition, Ford Edge Concept features fuel-saving technologies such as Active Grille Shutters, Auto Start-Stop and an innovative air curtain, which manages airflow around the front wheels to enhance aerodynamic efficiency.

Edge Concept will be on display at the Ford booth Feb. 14-17, 2014.

Photos: Ford

(Feb 13, 2014)