Ford's future starts with C

Ford Motor Company says it will introduce a range of up to ten new models built using its new C-segment platform. That one platform replaces three currently being used in various regions.

The company also expects the platform will generate over two million unit sales worldwide by 2012 -- approximately double the sales it achieved in 2008 -- giving Ford "unprecedented scale" in the auto market. Vehicles using the platform will be sold in 122 countries.

The upcoming Focus hatch and sedan will be the first models to use the new platform, with the European C-Max -- introduced at the recent Frankfurt motor show -- to follow shortly after release of the Focus models.

Other 'top hats' applied to the platform even include small van body styles and what the company refers to as MAVs, or multi-activity vehicles. The Grand C-Max, for example, will offer seven-seat passenger space and flexible seating for cargo.

Assigning domestic duties to the Grand C-Max has allowed Ford to get more creative with the five-seater C-Max, meaning the new version will be sportier and more like a passenger car.

"We believe that C-cars will migrate in the same way they migrated in Europe," says Ford exec Derrick Kuzak.

"Customers have gone from four-door sedans to five-door hatches and moved into multi-activity vehicles, which provide more interior flexibility in a right-size vehicle... Why should Focus and C-MAX ultimately be any different from a customer point of view?"

Using the same platform across the segment obviously allows Ford economies of scale in terms of supplier base and so on, but as importantly, the brand can draw on global sources to supply parts and to produce the lineup.

Production has been assigned to plants in Spain, Germany, Russia and China, while Ford is retooling assembly lines in Michigan formerly used to create SUVs and pick-ups like the F Series to build the small car. Other facilities will be announced over the coming year, although since Ford Australia chose to forego Focus production, its assembly won't take place on local shores.

"From day one, the new generation of Ford C-cars was created as a global product," said Gunnar Herrmann, C-segment vehicle line director, Ford of Europe.

"It was created by one single team operating globally, with responsibility to deliver the next-generation Ford Focus and a family of vehicles in this size segment. This lead engineering vehicle team approach will be used for all of our global products moving forward."

This global procedure ensures consistency across its markets, according to Ford, helping to eliminate "regional barriers that had previously resulted in different engineering standards that often caused unnecessary re-engineering of products and components."

Ford claims its global C-car plans enable a high degree of commonality at around 80 per cent.

Ford spokespersons would not confirm specifications of the new platform during this week's reveal of the latest Focus, however they hinted it was "marginally different" (read: slightly larger) and efforts in weight saving for efficiency would ensure the upcoming Focus would not be heavier than the previous model.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi