Ford to import C1 platform cars to U.S.

[jetsetter]

Ford has long been keeping its highly engineered C1 platform vehicles away from North America, citing production cost concerns, but a new directive from CEO Alan Mulally means that Euoropean-designed Ford small cars will be sold in the U.S. soon.

The original Ford Focus was nearly identical to its European stablemate. But in late 2004, Europe (and eventually much of the rest of the world) received an updated Focus based on an all new platform codenamed C1. Enthusiast publications world-wide praised the platform, which was designed by together Ford, Mazda and Volvo. When the '08 Focus was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, it was revealed that it was simply a warmed-over version of the outgoing Focus, not a model based on the all new platform.

Ford said that the platform was simply too expensive to produce efficiently for North America, a comment that was immediately questioned since the Mazda3, a vehicle priced competitively with the Focus, is sold in the U.S.

Automotive News reports that Ford's CEO Mulally has given the official order to import at least two European-designed Fords in the near future. The C1-based Focus, as well as the new C-Max crossover, are expected to arrive in North American showrooms "no later than 2011."

The two vehicles will be produced in North America - likely at the Focus plants in Mexico and Wayne, Mich., rather than being imported from European production facilities. Previously, Ford had said that the C1 platform would be too costly to produce in North America.

The industry publication is also reporting that the Escape will likely be replaced by a second-generation version of the Ford Kuga crossover.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-to-...html#more-5364

[Wizegui]

The C-Max?? Why not the S-Max/Galaxy? They need something to replace the Windstar anyways...

[British_Rover]

The flex is replacing the windstall.

[thedguy]

Wow...thanks Ford, when it comes time to give the rest of the world the Gen 3 Focus we just MAY get the Gen 2?

I guess it's better than a 3rd restyling of the Focus

[Deanodriver]

I actually am surprised that Canada hasn't imported the Mk2 Focus and sold it alongside the Mk1 (I think they still sell the Mk4 Golf/Jetta along with the Mk5), you'd think they're a bit more open to small cars than the Americans.

Surely it can't be that hard to adapt the Mk2 Focus for the US market, though?

[Spectre]

Nope. It's all BS from Ford USA anyway. They have a serious case of NIH Syndrome

After many years of customer requests, Ford USA decided to bring the (then current, now two generations back) Mondeo to the USA. The problem is that they decided to a) "Americanize" the car, and b) have it made here in some of the worst plants they had in North America.

The resulting product was a sick joke that didn't sell very well. They'd "softened" everything about the car's handling and tried to make it handle like the US Taurus (ugh). It also wasn't put together very well and fell apart regularly, because of lazy union workers and costcutting by US beancounters.

The only good version was the SVT Contour, which was essentially the Euro sport version and was basically hand built.

Ford then took the example of the Contour/Mystique failure and used it as an excuse to not bring over any other non-US Ford models, claiming "they won't sell." They've also used the X-Type as another example of failure; it's not selling at all here. There are still 2006 MY X-Types sitting on showroom floors.

The problem is not that non-US designs won't sell (the Ford Fusion is a great example, so was the Mk1 Focus), but that Ford US can't water down foreign-design product - or, for that matter, market it as something that it's not, and still expect it to sell.

[GM_IV]

Originally Posted by Deanodriver

I actually am surprised that Canada hasn't imported the Mk2 Focus and sold it alongside the Mk1 (I think they still sell the Mk4 Golf/Jetta along with the Mk5), you'd think they're a bit more open to small cars than the Americans.

Surely it can't be that hard to adapt the Mk2 Focus for the US market, though?

Ford Canada made a big mess with the Focus, it was most famous for having 11 major recalls in its first two years of production. So its reputation as a well made car was pretty much destroyed. Aside from that, it wasn't put together with good materials, my cousin drives one and knows its made with cheap material. Plus Ford Canada follows everything does Ford US except for eliminating Mercury.

[jetsetter]

Ford Fusion

The Fusion is fairly modified from its Mazda roots.

[NecroJoe]

C-Max? The C-Max?!?! I'm sorry, but I don't think it would be a good idea to bring a car that looks THAT borring.

It looks no different than our current Focus Wagon.

C-Max


Focus "Estate"


The S-Max, I can deal with because it's got some style, but the pictures I've seen of the current Fiesta (save for the uber-sporty versions, since 99% of them won't be those versions) look very very borring. The Mazda 2 (which we won't get in the US) at least looks interesting, and is based on what would be the American Fiesta (Part II) platform.

Mazda 2


Ford Fiesta


If ford is going to bring over vehicles from Europe, it should start with the GOOD looking ones that could sell themselves...not designs they will have to sell us on.

I will give Ford credit on the Fusion, though. I'm not saying I like the car, but they are marketing it quite well, and I'm seeing more and more on the road. Of the 3 cars based on the Mazda 6 platform (not counting the 6), I actually really like the Lincoln MKZ, and it suprisingly enough drove pretty well.

[awdrifter]

Who cares anymore. If they want a C1 platform car, just buy a Mazda3. Ford is beyond help at this point.

[Deanodriver]

Originally Posted by awdrifter

Who cares anymore. If they want a C1 platform car, just buy a Mazda3. Ford is beyond help at this point.

Besides, any car they do decide to bring in, they'll cheapen the interior, soften the suspension to the point of stupidity, and put THREE HUGE UGLY CHROME BARS ON THE GRILLE.

I have no idea why Ford US does that, but God it's ugly. It might work on an F series (provided you prepare yourself by being blinded on a sunny day), but on pedestrian sedans like the Taurus, no way. Personally, I think the Five Hundred looked better than the '08 Taurus.

I wonder how much the US-market Japanese cars differ from the same Japanese cars sold in the rest of the world? Would the Japanese makers make one car for North America and one for the rest of the world as well?

[Cobol74]

Japanese makers do Americanize but the key thing is that they keep the core values of the original. May put in a bigger engine and change the gearing for easier long range cruising but they do not compromise on the quality.