Hi, Guest
07-24-2007, 02:39 PM
Ford to import C1 platform cars to N.A.
July 24, 2007
Source: Leftlane news
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.
July 24, 2007
Source: Leftlane news
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.
I was the only member on this board with a Yellow Focus Sedan, and a 2002+ Euro Facelift on a sedan.