Ford has unveiled the first ever Australian-designed and engineered car in Beijing, China, reports Perth Now.
The new Ford Everest family-sized four-wheel-drive – which is to be built in China – sheds new ray of hope for Australia’s abundant designing and engineering talent that faces uncertain future as car manufacturing in Australia comes to an end.
Ford Australia already has more designers and engineers on its payroll than it has blue-collar factory workers, and with Holden and Toyota also due to close their factories in 2017, it will become the biggest automotive employer of people with such skillsets.
“The Everest is proof of the incredible design and engineering talent we have in Australia and within the global Ford team,” said Ford Australia spokesman Martin Gunsberg.
The new Everest SUV, which will become available in Australia next year and will be sold for about $45,000, will be sourced from a factory in Thailand because the company believes the Chinese production line will barely be able to keep up with demand there. It will also be sold in more than 40 countries across the Asia-Pacific, India and Africa.
“The Ford Everest will help to expand our product footprint in the region,” said Trevor Worthington, vice president, product development, Ford Asia Pacific.
This seven-passenger SUV is equipped with advanced technology, such as radar cruise control, a blind spot warning system, automatic lane-keeping and cross-traffic alert. It will also automatically dial 000 after a crash — if a mobile is paired — in which an airbag has been deployed.
In addition, the Everest SUV also has the capability to allow users charge a laptop through the its 240-volt power outlet in the second row, while 12-volt outlets in the front console and in the second row enables drivers and passengers to charge multiple gadgets at the same time.
Moreover, another 12-volt outlet in the cargo hold can be used to run devices like air compressors when camping.
