For the next-gen model due in late 2010 Ford will develop just one Focus model in line with its new global product development strategy. The cars will have unique styling and specifications to suit major markets but 87% of parts will be common, Ford product chief Derrick Kuzak revealed to Automotive News.
By streamlining its engineering process Ford will be able to cut costs and bring the car to market faster. The new model is expected to based on the current C1 platform, which is used in cars like the Volvo C30, and will likely be manufactured in Europe, North America and Australia.
Ford has already revealed its first model developed under its global product strategy, the new Fiesta compact, which has been showcased in three different variations already.
Reader Comments
Mon Apr 14 2008 8:45 PM
MARK says
As long as the americans dont develop it.
Mon Apr 14 2008 9:24 PM
Renton says
We should have been getting the good Ford product form the start.
Fcuk you FoMoCo, for always giving us the crap while Europe and Oz got the good stuff.
America should get Ford's best....shouldn't it?
Mon Apr 14 2008 9:46 PM
chris says
ok hold the phone renton;
the taurus or 500 or what ever you want to call it is a volvo s80. before that, the taurus was one of the best selling midsized cars in its class, BEATING honda and toyota, but hey dont worry, most people overlook that.
the current focus was a global platform, and still beats the latest offerings from everyone except honda,
the fusion is the mazda 6,.. and before that, the contour was the mondeo. but no one bought it.
all the whining in the world doesnt shadow the fact that people wouldnt recognize quality under a ford logo if their wheel hubs fell off their civics or the spot welds, transmissions, and V8's blew up on their toyotas. ooops. yeah, i said it.
fact of the matter is, the only people I can see who have a right to complain about the matter are people like myself who actually buy ford in the first place. and if i really cared that much about the newer platform, I would have bought a Mazda3. But I didnt, because the "2nd" gen focus and the mazda 3 aren't very different.
It's only been in the past couple years that north american products started to differ from euro options. don't generalize and make it sound like this has been going on forever.
Mon Apr 14 2008 10:30 PM
Gus says
Oh he wasn't generalizing, some people just hate everything American...
Tue Apr 15 2008 12:00 AM
amac says
I don't know what's underneath these cars or how well they are built, but American Fords are ugly and boring and European Fords are more exciting and funky looking.
Tue Apr 15 2008 12:58 AM
KlazTerp says
Americans don't like to pay enough money for their cars. Thats why they don't get the good stuff.
Tue Apr 15 2008 7:30 AM
chris says
good point. if americans wanted european fords, they'd buy a volvo. seeing how volvo isnt exactly doing great these days, in the north american market anyways, well, you see the point.
for all the people who go on and on about how europe hs a new focus and we still have the 8 year old car, take a look at the interior shots of the two cars. very similar. styling is different, but the materials, and overall interior is similar on the two.
on the exterior, well, its no lie that the average american consumer wants a muscular and aggressive looking car. I think the current american focus is 100x better looking than the old sedan. europe got a hatchback only 2nd gen focus, and most people said (at the time of release) that it was uglier than the old one. I still agree. The first gen hatch is such a nice looking car. the only thing nice about the current euro sped focus is ST version, and that thing is hot because its got a volvo engine in it.
the ride in the C1 cars is nicer than the old focus, I will admit, but not significantly so. still, if you insist on it, why wouldnt you get the volvo C30 or S40 (hatch or sedan), because for $25k, you get a euro spec focus ST in volvo skin. just think about that, because the current exchange means that the euro spec focus ST would cost 45k, a full 20k more, to import.
if you really think you would have bought a second gen focus, even though you've never bought a ford before, you're smoking crack.
I assure you, I've driven the first gen focus, the "second gen" north american focus, and C1 platforms (such as the mazda 3, mazdaspeed3, C30, and S40... i really am a ford fanatic),... any sort of mechanical package that has ever had anything to do with the focus name, and I can tell you for sure, there is little difference what so ever between the "second gen" american focus and the newer "C1" platform. ford of america really did do well.
OK BACK TO THE TOPIC AT HAND. jeez. all this being said, the C2 platform is supposed to be even more of a jump compared to what the C1 was from the first gen focus. ford would be absolutely insane to not make it global. and like the article says, its made from 87% of standardized parts. so, expect the mazda sourced 2L and 2.3L (which is apparently going to be a 2.5L), and possible the volvo sourced 2.5L i5. but I doubt that very much (for north america anyways).
What I absolutely cannot wait to see is the next gen mazda3, which is supposed to be surfacing in 2009............
Tue Apr 15 2008 9:04 AM
tanooki2003 says
By the way Chris the Taurus was the number 1 selling car up until 96 when Ford decided to flubber bubble the design. Since then the Camry has and still is the number 1 selling car.
The problem with Ford is their marketing strategy has always really sucked. I agree they do have great quality, in fact Ford is the Only domestic that I would ever choose over the other 2. Ford has always had a severe problem with being out of touch with the consumers which drives former Ford fanatics like myself away to the foreign competition. I used to have a 1996 Thunderbird and it was my favorite car that i had ever owned. I have owned nothing but Thunderbirds since 1983 from Ford. it was RWD and had a powerful engine. Ford no longer makes a car like that anymore. Yes you could say the Mustang but I HATE OLD RETRO LOOKS. I love an aerodynamic 2 door RWD low cost coupe.
Since Ford has yet to make a decent replacement I have went to Hyundai for the Genesis Coupe because it is exactly what I am looking for.
Tue Apr 15 2008 11:47 AM
chris says
Well I wouldnt hold my breath for an aerodynamic looking mustang. Its always going to have a cleft face and a sharp rear. at least for the time being. I agree they havent always had the nicest looking cars, hardly ever stylish, but I really think thats going to turn around in the next couple years. the fiesta concepts we've seen over the last year are supposed to be the new life blood of ford.
Fri Apr 18 2008 3:05 AM
Carl says
@ Chris
You have not driven a C1 Focus as I understand, and saying " there is little difference what so ever between the “second genâ€
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