Ford is expected to announce plans to make more small cars and fewer trucks when it releases its second quarter results on Thursday.
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A New York Times report on the move this week echoed similar reports that began circulating in US media at the weekend, Reuters said.
The Times, citing unnamed sources, said Ford is expected to say it will convert three North American assembly plants from trucks to cars, will realign factories to make more fuel-efficient engines and produce six of its next European car models for US sale.
The Mercury brand would be an integral part of its new small-car strategy, the paper said.
Ford did not respond to news agency queries about the reports.
Toyota recently announced it would convert an SUV factory under construction in Mississippi to produce its Prius hybrid, delaying the plant’s planned opening a couple of months.
Ford has previously sold a small car in the US under the Mercury brand. The Hermosillo, Mexico-built Tracer hatchback was a rebadged Ford Asia-Pacific Laser which shared architecture and components with Mazda’s 323.
General Motors Europe head Carl-Peter Forster yesterday told just-auto that GM US would develop its own small cars using GME-developed architecture and components rather than simply adapting European models for sale.
