Next year's model of the Ford Fusion will include the addition of a new "sport appearance" package on the SE model equipped with the inline 4-cylinder engine, says Dan Geist (Fusion marketing manager). Many dealerships across the country provided helpful feedback from their customer bases back to Ford. Ford listened. The new package, priced under $500, includes a black chrome grille, color-keyed fog lamps, 17-inch rims, and red stitched seats with red inserts. "The dealers told us to highlight the color red, especially if we could do it in some kind of a special package," said Dan Geist, Fusion marketing manager. Also included as another option is a new trunk-mounted spoiler ($300) and a navigational system ($2000) on the SE and SEL models.

In preparation to remove conventional minivans from the market one Ford executive has reportedly confirmed that a Ford-branded version of the Fairlane concept will be available to car buyers in 2008. The three-row (seating) crossover is expected to replace the traditional minivans in hope of shaping future interest in the vehicle type. Ford is seeking a fresh start with the Fairlane concept, as the Ford Freestar and the Mercury Monterey are being viewed for a potential drop at the end of the 2007 model year.

The past performance group from Ford, Special Vehicle Team (SVT), was once speculated as dead just a few months ago. A recent Ford product preview by SVT chief Hau Thai-Tang proves otherwise. Currently, 60 engineers are still tasked with the continued development of SVT products, and plans continue to look toward future developments. For now, however, SVT will rely on two vehicles, the 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang that recently hit the open market and an "in the works" truck, based heavily on the Ford F-150 ancestor, the SVT Lightning. No further detail was divulged regarding the truck, but 2007 is definitely to soon to expect something solid.

Saying goodbye to the Freelander was a very easy thing for most Americans to do at the beginning of last year. A small SUV that was wildly popular in Europe just did not strike interest into the American car buying public for which it was introduced. Enter the latest small SUV from Land Rover: The LR2. It may look like its bigger brother the LR3 but it really is a smaller version. The engine will face east-west to drive the front wheels most of the time. However, all LR2's will be equipped with the Land Rover variant of AWD [sourced from the Volvo XC90 so the LR2 should handle almost all off road excursions that it is subjected to. Along with the redesign will be the luxury features that one expects from a SUV of this brand: rain-sensing windshield wipers, power leather seats, 18-inch alloys, rear park distance control, two sunroofs (the rear one is stationary) and dual-zone automatic climate control. Expect the new LR2 on the showroom floors early next year.

Jaguar fans have something to look forward to this month. At the 2006 London Motor Show on July 18, the all-new supercharged XKR coupe and convertible are said to lead the Jaguar experience to new heights. Taking several design cues from the naturally aspirated XK coupe and convertible, the XKR moves up a rung and utilizes many technological improvements as well as its industry-leading aluminum monocoque body structure. The structure of the new XKR is also lighter and stronger than its predecessor model. "The new supercharged XKR captures perfectly the essence of what makes a Jaguar XK so special," commented Bibie Boerio, Jaguar Cars managing director. "It is a perfect combination of refined Grand Tourer and serious performance sports car that delivers a truly rewarding and exhilarating driving experience."

In keeping up with the demand to get more from less, Ford may be soon offering a more fuel efficient version of the Expedition. It will likely have either the new European V8 diesel or an all-new gasoline-electric hybrid engine. "We have hybrids and diesels under development," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of product development for the Americas. No solid time frame is set for a more efficient Expedition, but internal, unnamed sources at Ford have stated the company may strike soon to compete with the upcoming efficient SUVs being produced by General Motors. Read more over on Autoweek.

In less than 30 days, Mazda Motor Corporation will debut the new Mazda MX-5 Miata with its power retractable hard top at the 2006 British International Motor Show in London. The MX-5 has always had a removable hard top, but the next edition will have an extra dose of automation. The show is set to run from Tuesday, July 18, through Sunday, July 30, 2006.

Ford's updated F-series brute is continuing to improve upon the best-selling pickup by adding two new classes to the popular lineup. Now, the offerings are the XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Harley Davidson, Lariat Outlaw, and Lariat Highline. "With more and more Super Duty customers moving upscale, the Highline and Outlaw packages give us exciting new trim levels that further differentiate our trucks," says Robert Keller, Super Duty marketing manager. These new interior packages are being finalized and will see production for the 2007 model year.

Recently, Ford's Customer Service Division completed a study that concluded consumers are highly interested, but are also befuddled about Ford's E85 flex fuel aptitude. Via their website, customersaskford.com, Ford was able to query customers over a six week period and provide over 105,000 questions to consumers. "Basically, there is a lot of confusion out there regarding E85," said Brian McMaster, project manager, Content Governance Center Organization. "What I'm basically saying with the study is that there are some significant information gaps." One of the most common questions asked was how to tell what vehicles are E85 capable. The answer lies in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)--the eighth digit to be precise. Those who may want to know more can visit http://www.e85fuel.com/information/ford.php to have their VIN number decoded. Click here to see the Ford E85 VIN chart