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The following are the 20 top-selling vehicles in the U.S. through July of 2007 as reported by the automakers.

RANK VEHICLE 2007 2006 ’06 RANK % Chng
1 Ford F-Series P/U 411,926 469,159 1 -12.2
2 Chevy Silverado-C/K P/U 357,893 383,752 2 -6.7
3 Toyota Camry 282,044 260,409 3 +8.3
4 Toyota Corolla 231,940 239,103 6 -3.0
5 Honda Accord 219,488 216,159 5 +1.5
6 Dodge Ram P/U 214,569 215,967 4 -0.6
7 Honda Civic 201,652 193,663 7 +4.1
8 Chevrolet Impala 201,612 171,210 13 +17.8
9 Nissan Altima 164,717 134,628 9 +22.3
10 Honda CR-V 124,262 87,518 +42.0
11 GMC Sierra P/U 115,185 124,565 10 -7.5
12 Chevrolet Cobalt 112,287 143,913 15 -22.0
13 Toyota Prius 110,565 59,270 33 +86.5
14 Dodge Caravan 110,507 138,617 12 -20.3
15 Ford Focus 109,876 111,108 17 -1.1
16 Ford Econoline/Club Wagon 106,045 104,640 21 +1.3
17 Toyota Tundra 105,990 67,743 16 +56.5
18 Ford Escape 104,645 101,509 22 +3.1
19 Toyota-RAV4 101,618 89,770 35 +13.2
20 Honda Odyssey 94,479 106,815 20 -11.5

Ford Motor Company will bring its 14 years of research and development expertise using computer human models to a consortium of automakers and suppliers as a way to improve restraint systems for all vehicles of the future.

Ford is one of nine automakers and two suppliers that will consolidate their pre-competitive research and development activities in human body modeling into a single global effort to advance crash safety technology. The computer models, which represent human beings in minute detail, could help scientists determine and better understand injuries that are likely to result from a vehicle crash.

The use of finite element models to simulate vehicle crash tests has a strong potential to improve vehicle safety and to save time and money in hardware prototyping and testing. But the differences between the human body and the crash test dummy limit engineers to assessing injury potential with indirect gross injury measurements, such as chest deceleration and deformation.

The virtual humans initially will be used in automotive safety testing but could be used in other ways.

Read more about  Ford Joins Automotive Consortium to Accelerate its Research Work Using Virtual Human Crash Test Dummies

Ford iosis Concept Car selected for Villa D’Este Concours

• Ford iosis selected for the final short list at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on the Italian Lake Como
• Ford’s dramatic “kinetic design” form language is defined by iosis and is now being seen in Ford production models like the Ford S-MAX – Car of the Year 2007 – and new Ford Mondeo
• iosis is evidence of Ford’s “Feel+” strategy and new emotional values: high levels of driving pleasure, premium levels of quality and reliability at an affordable price
• Stefan Lamm, Ford of Europe’s head of Exterior Design said: “The iosis is a benchmark concept vehicle for us, as it represents the purest expression of our ‘kinetic design’ form language, representing energy in motion”

The Ford iosis concept car, which made its debut at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show as the definition of the company’s dramatic “kinetic design” form language, has been selected as one of the finalists in the Concept Cars and Prototypes class at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy.

The 2007 event takes place at the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, Italy between April 20 and 22. During the three day event, thirteen concept cars will be on display to visiting members of the public who will be able to vote for their favourite in a secret ballot at the Villa d’Erba on Sunday, April 22. The event is expected to attract around four thousand visitors.

The organising committee selected Ford iosis for its innovative impact on automotive design. Iosis preceded a range of new Ford’s products which include elements of “kinetic design” form language. These products are receiving very positive comments from customers and the media within Europe and elsewhere.

The first Ford production model that expresses the ‘energy in motion’ philosophy of the company’s dynamic new ‘kinetic design’ form language is the bold and sporty Ford S-MAX, which is Car of the Year 2007.

Together with “kinetic design” Ford has introduced a new brand philosophy of “Feel+” which is designed to highlight the new energy and emotion of Ford’s latest vehicle offerings, including the all-new Ford Mondeo.

“Feel+” is more than an advertising strapline, however, and represents a new way of thinking inside Ford for its latest products. With the emphasis on driving pleasure, high quality interiors, reliability and affordability, Ford is stepping up its delivery of new exciting products to its customers around the world.

Stefan Lamm, Ford of Europe’s head of Exterior Design said: “The iosis is a benchmark concept vehicle for us, as it represents the purest expression of our “kinetic design” form language, representing energy in motion. Iosis also signalled the design future for Ford of Europe production models – a future that is now being realised with the Ford S-MAX, Car of the Year 2007, and the all-new Mondeo, which provided the initial inspiration for this concept. We are delighted that the organisers have selected iosis to be a competitor at this event.”

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