Windstar is larger and newer than the Mercury Villager, and the Lincoln- Mercury Division may have a tough time convincing people that smaller is better.
Ross Roberts, Ford Division general manager, said he's not worried about undercutting the Villager.
'Last year, 43 percent of the minivans sold were long-wheelbase models, so there's still a lot of people who want short ones,' he said.
Ford officials said to look for more standard items to help improve the Villager's appeal and a small price spread with the Windstar.
The front-drive 1995 Windstar will be offered in one size, with one powertrain. There will be two models - a seven-passenger people-carrying model and a two-passenger cargo model.
It will have two trim levels: a base GL and more upscale LX.
Even base models will have all the standard safety features and most of the comfort items that consumers want. Job|1 production is Jan. 27.
Production will start slowly and Ford expects to build 135,000 Windstars at Oakville, Ontario, during the 1994 calendar year.
In the regular 1995 model year, beginning next fall, Ford expects to produce 250,000 Windstars. But the Oakville plant has the capacity to produce 330,000 units with two shifts and maximum overtime, if demand warrants it.
Ford also plans to boost Villager production, currently at 135,000, to 150,000 in the 1995 model year by breaking some production bottlenecks.
The company plans to begin exporting some Windstars to Europe, Mexico and the Middle East in the fall.
LESS COMPLEX
The Windstar is a dramatic reflection of Ford's efforts to trim product complexity. It has a total of 2,400 possible color and option choices vs. 4 million potential equipment and model combinations of the Aerostar, said David Ford, program director of MPV Programs in Ford Truck Operations. The Aerostar will be phased out at the end of the 1994 model year.
Developed at a cost of $1.5 billion, the Windstar, with its 201.2-inch overall length, aims at the Dodge Grand Caravan and Plymouth Grand Voyager.
'We think the larger package size is the real core volume part of the market, the one that will expand the most,' said Ford.
EQUIPMENT
The Windstar will be available with a 3.8-liter V-6 and four-speed electronic automatic transmission. The engine, an existing powertrain, produces 155 horsepower and 223 pounds-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm.
Windstar also comes with standard dual airbags; four-wheel anti-lock brakes; electric rear defroster and wipers; heated mirrors; and integrated and reclining child safety seats. It meets all car and truck safety standards through 1997 and, possibly, 1998, depending on the outcome of current Ford testing.
The Windstar has the lowest step-in height - 16 inches on the driver's side and 17.9 inches from the side door - among minivans.
The Windstar will have a 2,000-pound trailer rating at introduction. A trailer prep package, added next fall, will boost the rating to 3,500 pounds.
Ford Windstar
Wheelbase: 120.7 inches
Length: 201.2 inches
Width: 75.4 inches
Height: 67.9 inches
Curb weight: 3,730 pounds
Base engine: 3.8-liter V-6
Drive type: fwd
Body style: minivan
Safety: Dual airbags, anti-lock brakes
'95 base price: not available
'94 base price: $14,980 to $26,120 (Aerostar)
