Ford's Global C-Car Platform
11/8/10, 04:13 PM
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Ford's Global C-Car Platform
http://www.motortrend.com/features/a...orm/index.html
Ford's been open about the fact that it intends to build 10 new cars off the global C-car platform (Focus), but they've stayed coy about exactly which models. MT has been digging to find out what they all are.
We know about the Focus sedan, hatchback, and wagon, plus the C-Max (five-seat), and Grand C-Max (seven-seat) minivans. There will also be a crossover replacing the Escape in the U.S. and the Kuga in Europe. That makes six. North America will get the sedan, hatchback, Grand C-Max, and the Escape replacement.
We know about the Focus sedan, hatchback, and wagon, plus the C-Max (five-seat), and Grand C-Max (seven-seat) minivans. There will also be a crossover replacing the Escape in the U.S. and the Kuga in Europe. That makes six. North America will get the sedan, hatchback, Grand C-Max, and the Escape replacement.
The Focus EV will be counted as a separate model. Its body will be somewhat differentiated from the gasoline sedan's. A C-Max hybrid and a C-Max plug-in hybrid will be made in Europe and exported to the U.S. It's likely that the bigger hybrid in the U.S. will be on the crossover body. That takes us to 10. The last of these will be available by calendar 2013. After that, Ford will begin studying other body styles, perhaps including a sport coupe, but insiders insist no decision has been made.
11/8/10, 04:16 PM
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Maybe I'm missing something here, but why is Ford killing the Escape? It's Ford's best selling crossover/small SUV and one of best seller in its class on the market in general.
11/8/10, 04:33 PM
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I doubt the the Escape name will disappear, it will just end up on a new platform.
11/8/10, 08:00 PM
#4
Global brand or not, it is pretty obvious that there will be nameplates in certain markets Ford will hold onto despite the fact that it will effectiely mean that identical vehicles will be sold in different markets with different names.
11/9/10, 04:37 AM
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11/9/10, 06:41 AM
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So if Mercury line had let's say a Mondeo, Kuga, Galaxy and a Falcon for an example, I'm sure Mercury would be more than happy if they sold ~150,000 of them in a year (just like Buick is).
Ford's expectations are much higher and Ford never had any luck with global vehicles (with the exception of Focus Mk 1). Even this so-called ugly USA Focus (Mk 2) is outselling "handsome" Euro Focus (Mk 1) in the USA.
I don't mind European Fords, I like most of them; I just don't think they can be volume sellers in the USA.
11/9/10, 06:49 AM
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11/9/10, 06:59 AM
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True, but you can't do one without the other.
If sales go down - Ford will start closing factories again and then the Union might have a things or two to say about that and ... well, you know the story, Ford went through that not that long ago.
If sales go down - Ford will start closing factories again and then the Union might have a things or two to say about that and ... well, you know the story, Ford went through that not that long ago.
11/9/10, 09:09 AM
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You, have to get people to see the quality they are paying for & cut the fat.It just drives me nuts that GM & Chrysler got to cut their fat and forget about all past responsibilities (ie supersites, taxes etc.) because they couldnt pay their bills. Then Ford has to suck wind because they could.
11/9/10, 06:33 PM
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Ford Kuga-Based, Compact Lincoln CUV to Be Thrown into the Mix
The currently unnamed Lincoln CUV is still in development, is smaller than the MKX, and is positioned to compete with the Lexus RX, as told to the Louisville Courier-Journal by Ford executives who spoke on condition of anonymity. Louisville, Kentucky, is home to the current Explorer but production halts for good on December 13 (2011 Explorer moves to Chicago). The Louisville facility will then retool with advanced, flexible robotic equipment and focus exclusively on C-segment vehicles, including the overseas Kuga and its upcoming Lincoln variant. The plant renovation is scheduled for completion in Q4 2011.
http://wot.motortrend.com/6692501/au...mix/index.html
http://wot.motortrend.com/6692501/au...mix/index.html
11/9/10, 11:10 PM
#13
Ford's expectations are much higher and Ford never had any luck with global vehicles (with the exception of Focus Mk 1). Even this so-called ugly USA Focus (Mk 2) is outselling "handsome" Euro Focus (Mk 1) in the USA.
I don't mind European Fords, I like most of them; I just don't think they can be volume sellers in the USA.
I don't mind European Fords, I like most of them; I just don't think they can be volume sellers in the USA.
The reality has thus far been that development of most of the hugely important, volume models is centered in Dearborn including the soon to debut Focus. Yes, some models like Fiesta, C-Max, and the T-6 Ranger are developed elsewhere but the next gen Focus, Fusion/Mondeo, and Escape are apparently all being spearheaded in Dearborn which speaks volumes.
The cars are designed to accommodate every potential market and Ford engineers from every part of the world are brought in to work on these programs, but when we get down to basics Dearborn is playing a bigger role in Ford as whole than they have in years and I very much get the idea that the heart and soul of this global Ford is right up the road in Dearborn, and as such the reality might be more akin to the rest of the world getting world class, primarily American-designed Fords than the opposite.
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