CEO Alan Mulally has confirmed the carmaker’s new product strategy will call for increased globalization of small and medium-sized vehicles from Ford's European operations. The cars will be more expensive than previous Blue Oval compacts sold in the U.S. but by spreading development and investment costs across a global volume prices will be able to stay at a reasonable level, reports Automotive News.
The first of the European designed cars will be the Fiesta compact, however the North American version will be sourced from a plant in Mexico in early 2010. Both a five-door hatchback and sedan are planned, with U.S. volumes expected to top 90,000 units annually.
Under consideration is a new compact MPV based on the Fiesta platform, which could be assembled at Ford's plant in Kentucky and go on sale as early as 2011. However, production plans are still in the early stages and no green light has been given.
Following the Fiesta will be the new globally-engineered Focus. The new car will come in sedan and five-door hatchback bodystyles, and will be built at plants in Michigan and Kentucky.
In late 2011, the next-generation C-Max MPV will likely reach U.S. showrooms. The C-Max will be based on the new Focus and if approved for the U.S. will be manufactured alongside its Focus sibling in Michigan.
Current U.S. models like the Fusion sedan will remain, but will receive a number of major updates to keep them fresh. The Fusion will undergo a styling change for the 2010 model year and will see the introduction of a hybrid version.
The Fusion is currently based on a modified Mazda6 platform, but is expected to move to a new global platform for the 2013 model year. This new designed will also spawn the next-generation Mondeo midsize sedan.
The Taurus will go in for a major update early next year and adapt many of the new features from the recently launched Lincoln MKS. The car will get a much sleeker look but will still be based on the current model’s D3 platform. The Taurus X crossover is expected to be dropped from Ford’s lineup as it will be replaced by the new Flex.
The Crown Victoria and its Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car siblings will likely be dropped after the current model cycle ends, expected to be early next year, and no replacement is planned. Ford is currently reconsidering its RWD strategy but the project is still safe for now.
One RWD model that won’t be going anywhere is the Mustang, which gets a major overhaul next year including revised styling and a new range of engines. The car is expected to be shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show this November before going on sale early next year.
The next-generation Mustang was meant to be developed on Ford’s new global RWD platform but if the project is dropped the new model will retain its current platform, although it will likely be heavily reworked.
More European models are planned include the next-generation Ford Kuga crossover (current model pictured), which is expected to spawn a U.S. version to be sold as the new Escape SUV. The Escape replacement is expected to be slightly smaller and more fuel efficient than today's model and should arrive in time for the 2012 model year.
Finally, Ford will introduce an extensively restyled Edge crossover in late 2010, which should keep sales going until the new model arrives around 2013.
Reader Comments
Mon Jul 14 2008 10:50 AM
mlevere1992 says
About time that the Ford execs got their head out of their butts and bring the European cars over. I for one would pay a little more to get a quality car from Ford. Now if they would just replace the current Taurus with the Mondeo and they would be golden.
Mon Jul 14 2008 10:59 AM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says
I would guess to say that the Modeo is more the size of the Fusion so the chances of it coming stateside are slim to none. Their large platform car in Europe was called the Galaxy and I believe that has since died due to its horriffic styling.
Although the above pictured car would look very nice parked in the drive way!!
Mon Jul 14 2008 12:47 PM
Dane says
I say Ford!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Build like Volkswagen's Plastics and Euro Standards you got yourself a winner.......
Have you driven a Ford lately!!!
Mon Jul 14 2008 1:09 PM
bambam says
Haven't driven a Ford for 5 years not even simulation. LOL
Mon Jul 14 2008 1:10 PM
bambam says
Looking forward to it.
The focus and fiesta and the Falcon
Mon Jul 14 2008 8:05 PM
chris says
mlevere.. the article is kinda clear about the taurus, fusion, and mondeo... the mondeo is a midsized car just like the fusion... the mondeo is what you would know as a Contour.. in the next generation of mondeo, they'll use the same platform but revise it (like toyota does with many of their vehicles, like ford is currently doing with the C1 platform, and like they've done with the panther platform for the last 30 years)... at which time the fusion will move to that platform as well. ford couldn't sell a full sized sedan in europe... the taurus would never fly there.. it would be the phaeton all over again (no i know the phaeton is an amazing car, but still.. euros don't buy large cars from crap companies).
I agree with everthing in the article except for an MPV style fiesta. big big mistake. lets just wait and see how the C-max sells here.... as it is the mazda5 doesnt sell worth a damn... who thinks the Cmax will.. or an even smaller mpv for that matter? nah... wait. I dont care how bad gas prices get... no one will buy it. not in america
Mon Jul 14 2008 8:48 PM
NaBUru38 says
For those like me who would like a mini MPV by Ford, check these two-year old renderings: http://www.bilnorge.no/vis_bilder.php3?b=bb_43724.jpeg&aid=29205&tid=16
Wed Oct 29 2008 7:19 PM
khooper says
Well, Obviously that does not include plans already announced for future F-150, F-100. I hope the Explorer America will be produced, still hope S-Max is coming.
Then of course there will probably be a steady roll out of eco-boost applications as well as varying body styles for Fiesta and Focus. Car enthusiast will be happy with it.
Wed Oct 29 2008 7:20 PM
khooper says
Well, Obviously that does not include plans already announced for future F-150, F-100. I hope the Explorer America will be produced, still hope S-Max is coming.
Then of course there will probably be a steady roll out of eco-boost applications as well as varying body styles for Fiesta and Focus. Car enthusiast will be happy with it.
Wed Oct 29 2008 7:21 PM
khooper says
Well, Obviously that does not include plans already announced for future F-150, F-100. I hope the Explorer America will be produced, still hope S-Max is coming.
Then of course there will probably be a steady roll out of eco-boost applications as well as varying body styles for Fiesta and Focus. Car enthusiast will be happy with it.
Wed Oct 29 2008 7:21 PM
khooper says
Well, Obviously that does not include plans already announced for future F-150, F-100. I hope the Explorer America will be produced, still hope S-Max is coming.
Then of course there will probably be a steady roll out of eco-boost applications as well as varying body styles for Fiesta and Focus. Car enthusiast will be happy with it.
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