European Ford Fusion B-segment minivan

European Ford Fusion B-segment minivan

We’ve already seen a number of variants spun of Ford’s global C-segment platform, aptly named the C-platform and underpinning cars like the new 2012 Ford Focus hatchback and sedan, as well as the U.S. bound C-Max MPV. And at next month’s 2011 Detroit Auto Show we’ll see yet another variant, a new crossover model to replace the Escape and European Kuga.

Well, the same strategy of spinning off multiple models from the same architecture that Ford is undertaking so successfully with its C-segment platform will also be applied to its smaller B-segment platform. The first model based around this platform is the funky new Fiesta but soon we’ll see a new minivan model launched as well.

Set to make its world debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show next March in concept form, the vehicle will eventually enter production towards the end of next year and go on sale shortly after. It will likely be called the Ford B-Max, and be offered as a five-seater with sliding doors.

There’s no word if it will be offered in the U.S. but given the fact that the Fiesta is already here we wouldn’t be surprised to see the B-Max arrive in local showrooms as well. 

Pictured above is Ford’s last B-segment minivan, the European Ford Fusion, which first went on sale in 2002.

[AutoWeek]