Yesterday, they gave us a sneak peek of the new Ford Ranger although not much details were shared about the Philippine release.

There will be 3 variants — from a 2.2L engine to 2.5L and 3.2L Duratorq TDCi for gas and diesel engines. The Ford Ranger is among the new vehicles that follow the One Ford platform — meaning, the same design/models will be released in all markets from US to Europe and Asia.

Just like the Ford Fiesta we attended last time, the Ford Ranger also offers some hi-tech features like Bluetooth with Voice Control and a Rear-View Camera System.

We didn’t really see much of the interiors yesterday as most of the time were spent doing interviews with executives. We’ll be traveling to the Bangkok Motor Show today (about 1.5hours away from Shangri-la Hotel were we stayed ) so I might get some more free time with the Ranger and other tech stuff they might have on display there.

Here are some of the specs sheet and press release given to me during the launch.

I overheard Ford will be launching the Ranger in the Philippines some time later this year (most probably in December 2011) and won’t be releasing units or pricing information until 1st quarter of the following year. I reckon they still want to sell the remaining inventories of the Ford Ranger before moving to the new model. Really don’t know much about cars but I’m glad to be in the crowd of motoring journalists and learning a lot along the way.

At first I thought this was the Ford Sync they’ve already introduced in the US and other countries but turns out it’s a more simplified version (they just call it Voice Control).

Voice Control allows you to control and tune the FM radio, an iPod, a USB drive with mp3 music, and a mobile phone connected via Bluetooth. A small unidirectional microphone picks up all the voice commands and is situated just above the rear-view mirror.

Ford Fiesta Prices:

Sport 1.6L AT – Php816,000
Trend 1.4L MT – Php685,000
Trend 1.6L AT – Php766,000

They got the new car wrapped inside a big toy box so we can’t really get a closer look and take proper photos.

I had to literally put the camera lens smack into the plastic box to get a good focus. It was also a bit dark so we can’t make good use of our camera flash either.

I thought I’d go home with lousy photos until they gave us all a Ford Fiesta to bring home and shoot. Here’s mine:

Okay, it’s not really the drivable one but this 1:18 scale model does the job.

Ford put up 3 sites just for this — ConnectWithFiesta.com, Ford.com.ph and a Facebook Fan Page.

You can get one of these scale model of the Ford Fiesta by going to the Ford Facebook Fan Page here.

The Focus Trend has 3 variants that consists of two 4-door sedans and a 5-door hatchback with a 1.8L Duratec Petrol engine. The 4-door, manual variant starts at a price of Php779,000 while the other two has a price of Php879,000.

The 5-door Ford Focus Sport Hatch comes in two variants — a 2.0L Duratec Petrol (gas), 4-speed, automatic priced at Php975k and the 2.0L Duratorq TDCi Diesel, 6-speed Powershift priced at Php1.195 Million.

The Ford Focus 1.8L Trend now have 16″ alloy wheels, up from the previous 15″ wheels.

There are currently a total of 8 variants of the Ford Focus with the high-end models featuring upgrades that include Rain Sensing Wipers, Auto On/Off Headlamps and Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror.

Per-Ake Froberg, a spokesman for Volvo Cars, in Goteborg on Sweden’s west coast, confirmed that the agreement between the two automakers was signed there.

He would not disclose the value of the deal, saying details on the price tag and the financing of the agreement would be announced at a news conference at Volvo Cars headquarters later Sunday. Analysts have estimated the deal at about $2 billion.

Ford has been trying to sell Volvo since late 2008 to focus its resources on managing its core Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands.

As Western automakers unload unprofitable assets, they are finding keen buyers in Asia.

In 2008, Ford sold its Jaguar and Land Rover brands to India’s Tata Motors Ltd. for $1.7 billion, a third of what it paid for them. In addition, General Motors Co. is selling its rugged Hummer brand to construction machinery maker Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Corp., and China’s Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings has agreed to buy some powertrain technology from GM’s Swedish Saab unit.

Geely, an independent automaker that has struggled to upgrade its image in overseas markets, has long coveted a bigger foothold in Europe.

The group is headed by prominent entrepreneur Li Shufu. It had been rumored earlier to be bidding for Opel and Saab.

Volvo employs nearly 20,000 workers, with the majority in Sweden.

Escape 4×2 XLT AT — Php1,099,000

Escape 4×2 XLS AT — Php1,050,000

A Special Introductory Price of only Php 999,000 was given on the low-end model. Model colors include Diamond White, Panther Black, Tonic, Chill, Ocean Blue, Moondust Silver, and Infra Red.

Dealers across the Philippines are now offering the Ford Escape 2010. In Metro Manila, check out Ford Alabang, Ford Global City, Ford Balintawak, Ford Edsa, Ford Libis, Ford Quezon Avenue, Ford Commonwealth, Ford SM Fairview, or Ford Manila. Or find your nearest Ford dealership in Cavite, San Pablo, Batangas, SM Lipa, Dagupan, Cabanatuan, Pampanga, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro or Davao.

Classification: Pick-Up
Engine: 3.0 DOHC 16V I4
Fuel Type: Diesel
Transmission: 5-speed MT
                        5-speed AT
Body Type: 4-door pick-up
Seating Capacity: 5
Airbags: 2
Front Suspension: Independent, Double Wishbone
Rear Suspension: Rigid Axle, Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs
Front Brakes: Vented Disc
Rear Brakes: Drum

Price in the Philippines: Php 1,336,000 (MT)
                                        Php 1,411,000 (AT)

Classification: Compact Car
Engine: 2.0 DOHC 16V I4
Fuel Type: Diesel, B5 Biodiesel Blend
Transmission: 6-speed DSG
Body Type: 5-door hatchback
Seating Capacity: 5
Airbags: 2
Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension: Independent, Control Blade Strut
Front Brakes: Vented Disc
Rear Brakes: Solid Disc

Price in the Philippines: Php 1,159,000

Classification: Compact Car
Engine: 1.8 DOHC 16V I4
Fuel Type: Gasoline, E20 Ethanol Blend
Transmission: 4-speed AT
Body Type: 4-door sedan
Seating Capacity: 5
Airbags: 2
Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension: Independent, Control Blade Strut
Front Brakes: Vented Disc
Rear Brakes: Solid Disc

Price in the Philippines: Php 989,000

Classification: Entry-Level SUV
Engine: 3.0 DOHC 16V I4
Fuel Type: Diesel
Transmission: 5-speed AT
Body Type: 5-door SUV
Seating Capacity: 7
Airbags: 4
Front Suspension: Independent, Double Wishbone
Rear Suspension: Rigid Axle, Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs
Front Brakes: Vented Disc
Rear Brakes: Drum

Price in the Philippines: Php 1,625,000
                                        Php 1,709,000 (with ICE)