Ford will be introducing an all-new sub-compact vehicle in the US based on the recently revealed Mazda2 hatch, which will eventually be sold in global markets as the Blue Oval's new B-car. The Detroit News reports that Ford Americas President Mark Fields revealed details about the new car to employees in his weekly Webcast. Ford desperately needs a vehicle to compete with cars such as the Chevrolet Aveo, Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit, and turning to Mazda is exactly what it needs to do right now.

Mazda has raised the bar in terms of quality, standard equipment and refinement for more affordable cars, especially with its mid-sized Mazda3 and Mazda6 models. It’s not surprising that Ford’s latest vehicles are increasingly being based on designs from its Japanese subsidiary. Ford has already used the Mazda6 platform for its Fusion and Lincoln MKZ sedans, as well as the Edge and MKX crossovers. Ford CEO Alan Mulally is currently in Japan talking with Mazda execs after announcing earlier this week that he “expects the deep ties between Ford and Mazda to extend into the future and become even stronger."

The new car will be sold in areas as diverse as Europe, Asia, South America and North America, but will be modified to suit each region with different levels of trim and even revised sheet metal. Fields wasn’t willing to give a release date, but experts predict it should arrive within two years time. An inside source claimed production will be handled at a plant in Brazil but this may still change. Original plans to expand Ford’s Mexican facilities have been ruled out due to the high costs involved.

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