Ford stands up to Asian rivals

Ford yesterday revealed three new models in an effort to halt four years of decline and retain its position as the world's second-largest carmaker against competition from Toyota.

The top three American carmakers, General Motors, DaimlerChrysler and Ford, aim to use the Detroit car show, which opens next Saturday, as the springboard for regaining US market share for the first time in a decade after the inroads made by Japanese, Korean and other Asian rivals.