Ford Motor Company unveiled the all-new 2015 Ford Edge today in North America and Europe. This all-new vehicle, from the wheels to the roof, is based on Ford’s successful global midsize vehicle platform. According to Vehicle Line Director, Judy Curran, this new Ford Edge has a stronger, more athletic shape, retooled to meet higher expectations for quality and reengineered with more features and technologies that make the entire driving experience more rewarding.

“This vehicle is all-new, every element has been updated, we’ve really focused on the craftsmanship, the technologies and the driving experience for the customer.”

Curran says, consumers want more technology, and this vehicle has it, which redefines the Global Utility Vehicle landscape.

“The new Edge has a number of new technologies, and we have a lot of semi-automated driver assist technologies, technologies that make it easier for the customer to drive. One of those technologies that I’m really fond of is the new enhanced park-assist that helps you park in both perpendicular as well as parallel.”

Curran talked about the kind of consumer who is best suited for this vehicle based on their active family lifestyle.

“Our customer tends to be married, possibly one child, likes to get out & drive and have fun and still be able to use all the features of the new technologies.  Active people who also like a very sporty styled car. This car is all-new on exterior and really have gone much further on the sculpted look of the vehicle.”

Curran says the all-new Edge is not only more luxurious and comfortable it is also quieter inside, with improved storage areas and one of the largest sunroofs in the business.

“On the inside, we’re really focused on making the driver more comfortable... so the seats are much more comfortable, we have a lot more accessible storage for the driver to use and than we have accessibility to all the new features and technologies in the vehicle.”

In North America, in 2013, Ford was the top-selling utility-vehicle brand for the third consecutive year. Curran says Ford utility vehicle sales have been strong elsewhere as well emerging as the global leader in utility vehicles, with record-setting 1.2 million utility vehicles sold global in 2013. Curran identified the new Ford Edge powertrains offered and said it will be the first Ford vehicle with EcoBoost standard.

“The Edge will have three engine choices, we start with a 2-liter GTDI, that’s our new based EcoBoost engine, then we have an optional V-6 for those that want a little more power, and then we have a 2.7 EcoBoost which gives you more power and fuel economy.”

Curran pointed out the difference between the all-new Ford Edge and the Ford Explorer.

“I think the Explorer customer is a customer that has possibly a bigger family more need to carry more items, it’s a three-row vehicle. Our two-row Edge is more-sporty driving dynamic vehicle and if you don’t need the room of a three-row, I think the two-row would service the needs of those customers.”

Curran talked about the origination of the all-new Ford Edge for 2015.

“The Edge is being built in our Oakville facility in Toronto, Canada. We’re really proud of the Edge, it was just awarded the top quality rating by J.D. Power, we want to make sure we continue with those types of quality ratings. We invested 700 million dollars in Oakville, big amount of investment in robots, 279 incremental robots to improve our build quality.”

The 2015 Ford Edge will go on sale in North America during the first quarter of 2015, with sales following in Europe, South America and Asia Pacific markets.