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Chinese market Ford Taurus will be unveiled at Shanghai Motor Show

A new Ford Taurus is on the way, at least for some markets. As part of a huge unveiling of seven models for the Asia Pacific market at the Shanghai Motor Show, Ford is announcing the debut of the company's next-gen large sedan on April 18 just before the event in China begins. Unfortunately, the Taurus that we see in Shanghai might not signal too much about the future version in the US. Ford spokesperson Monique Brentley tells Autoblog that this debut is specifically for the Chinese market, and the Blue Oval isn't saying whether any of this updated look will come across the Pacific. We got a tiny preview of the new Taurus earlier this year when one was spotted wearing heavy camouflage while testing in China. That one retained the sedan's hexagonal grille but added more horizontal chrome slats. It also featured reshaped headlights and a broad, lower air dam. Previous reports have indicated the next-gen model might be built around a stretched and widened version of the Fusion platform, and a major goal during development was shedding as many pounds as possible. With little time before the official unveiling, it won't be long until we'll know much of this for sure. Related Video: NEW FORD TAURUS, FORD GT TO LEAD FORD LINEUP AT AUTO CHINA 2015 Ford to unveil seven new vehicles for Asia Pacific at Auto Shanghai 2015, underscoring its commitment to expanding world-class showrooms across the region New Ford Taurus will bring the historic nameplate to China for the first time with sophisticated design, roomy space and advanced technology Ford GT supercar will lead Ford Performance lineup in Asia Pacific debut; Focus RS, Focus ST and Fiesta ST highlight Ford's passion for performance innovation in all forms Full range of Ford vehicles for China and exciting interactive displays will greet visitors to Ford's display SHANGHAI, China, April 2, 2015 – Taking another bold step to fulfill its promise of introducing 15 new vehicles to China by 2015, Ford will unveil the new Ford Taurus at Auto Shanghai 2015, with a special pre-show event on April 18. Ford's new flagship sedan for China will take the stage at the auto show, along with six other new vehicles making their debuts in Asia Pacific. "We are looking forward to taking the wraps off seven new vehicles for our customers in China and continuing our delivery of great products and innovative technologies," said John Lawler, chairman and CEO, Ford China.

Ford ready to install GE Wattstations at 60 locations in North America

Upper-level Ford executives are sending mixed messages about the power of plug-in vehicles, but in the companies parking lots across North America, at least, the signal is clear: come on and charge your EV. Today, Ford and GE announced that the Blue Oval will be installing Wattstation chargers at its Dearborn HQ and will then add units at more than 60 locations across the US and Canada, including "offices, product development campuses and manufacturing facilities." If you're a Ford employee, then you get four hours of free charging a day. That should be plenty to top off any of the company's plug-in vehicles, even the Focus Electric, and the time limit encourages drivers to swap cars at lunch, because Ford wants to encourage charging station sharing and get more employees to plug in. Ford doesn't mention the DOE's Workplace Charging Challenge by name in the release (available below), but we suspect these Wattstations are part of that project. Ford was one of the founding members, joining the Workplace Charging Challenge on January 31, 2013. On that date, the Ford Motor Company and Ford dealers had over 1,750 charging stations installed on company/dealer property. Ford, GE WattStation Chargers Support Employee Electric Vehicle Charging Network Ford to install its first employee electric vehicle charging station network in Dearborn, Mich.; facilities across the United States and Canada to follow Ford will work with GE as its network provider and supplier of electric vehicle charging stations; networked stations will help Ford understand charging usage and plan for future installations Ford electrified vehicles have logged an estimated 65 million electric miles over the last 18 months. Ford now offers six electrified vehicles, including Focus Electric, C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrids, and C-MAX and Fusion hybrid vehicles Ford Motor Company in conjunction with GE, will supply vehicle charging stations at Ford facilities nationwide, beginning with facilities in and around its headquarters. The announcement continues the innovative cooperation begun more than 100 years ago between Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, co-founder of GE. This month, Ford will begin installing GE WattStation™ charging stations across its North American campuses, developing a workplace charging network at nearly every Ford facility in the United States and Canada.

Ford Mustang GT350, GT350R order guide leaks online

Nary a day after the end of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show media days, a bombshell has been dropped in the form of the order guides for the new Shelby GT350 and GT350R. A draft of the complete guide for both track weapons popped up in the forums of Mustang6G, offering the car's biggest fans the most detailed look yet at how the new models can be outfitted. Arguably the most notable news is that Ford lists both cars not as 2016 models, but as 2015s. Wearing the codes 900A and 920A for the GT350 and GT350R, respectively, Ford lists eight available colors, including standard Mustang shades, like Oxford White, Race Red and Competition Orange, as well as a pair of exclusive hues, in Avalanche Gray and Shadow Black. Notably, neither vehicle can be optioned in the gorgeous Liquid Blue of the GT350R show car. Stripe packages are aplenty on the hottest Mustangs, with black, white and blue stripes available on both models. The R cars, though, will be distinguishable by red accents on its optional stripe groups. The standard model will feature an ebony interior, while the high-performance 'Stang will have an ebony cabin with red accents. Aesthetics aside, this order guide gives us the deepest look yet at the available equipment on both models. Not surprisingly, the options list is quite small, with the standard GT350 offering just two packages, racing stripes and a black roof (which we bet will be mutually exclusive with the stripe jobs). The standard car's Technology Pack adds MagneRide, "heavy-duty" front springs, navigation with Sync 3, leather-wrapped, climate-controlled power seats, satellite radio, dual-zone climate control and selectable driving modes. The Track Pack, meanwhile, adds the same driver-selectable modes, MagneRide and the stiffened front springs as the Tech Pack, along with coolers for the engine oil, trans and diff and a strut-tower brace. These two packs are mutually exclusive. Of course, if you're in the market for the GT350R, your only option is the Electronics Pack, which basically adds features deleted by your high-performance trim, such as a stereo and climate control. On top of that, you'll get Sync 3 with navigation and satellite radio. Head over to the Mustang6G forums for a look at the entire order guide.