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Ford’s new B-Class sized sub to be sourced from Brazil. (http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070301/AUTO01/703010381/1148)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2008_Mazda_2.jpgBryce G. Hoffman - Detroit News - Mar. 1, 2007

The Mazda2 vehicle platform will serve as the foundation for Ford's new subcompact vehicle, which is expected to be made in Brazil.

DEARBORN -- Ford Motor Co. revealed to employees Wednesday that it is developing a long-awaited new subcompact car for the United States and other markets that will be based on the new Mazda2.

Ford Americas President Mark Fields told employees about the new car during his weekly Webcast. Unlike its major competitors, Ford does not offer a subcompact car for the U.S. market. Small, gas-sipping vehicles such as Chevrolet Aveo, Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit have become more important as automakers try to reach younger buyers and gas prices remain volatile.

A Ford spokeswoman declined to comment on the internal announcement.

The news comes as Ford CEO Alan Mulally is in Japan this week meeting with executives of Mazda Motor Corp., which is controlled by Ford.

"I fully expect the deep ties between Ford and Mazda to extend into the future and become even stronger," Mulally said in news release earlier this week.

As The Detroit News first reported in November, Mazda engineered a new subcompact vehicle platform for the Mazda2 that also will be the basis for the next-generation Ford subcompact in Europe and the first Ford subcompact sold in America since 1997.

The Mazda2 will be unveiled next week at the Geneva motor show.

Analyst Jim Hall of AutoPacific Inc. in Southfield, who has seen the Mazda2, said it should provide a solid foundation for the Ford subcompact.

"It's one of those small cars that looks more expensive than it probably it is," Hall said. "That's something you really want in small cars."

Fields said Wednesday that work on the Ford version is already under way, with Ford of Europe taking the lead. He said the Blue Oval model will be sold in Europe, Asia, South America and North America, but stressed that the subcompact is not a "world car." Instead, the vehicle will be tailored to meet the unique needs of each market.

Semantics aside, Hall said the new model will be Ford's "global B-car," referring to the industry designation for such small, fuel-efficient vehicles.

"It's the best strategy. Doing a global B-car is really smart, because it will be a low-volume car in the United States and you really need big volumes on a vehicle like this to keep costs down," he said. "In the U.S., price and fuel economy will be the predominant factors."

While Fields gave no time frame for the car's arrival in U.S. showrooms, Hall predicted it will probably arrive in showrooms in two years.

A Ford source familiar with the project said the company plans to build the car in Brazil, but said that may change. Ford had planned to expand one of its Mexican plants to accommodate the new model, but can no longer afford such a major expense.
Ford is increasing relying on Mazda engineering to bolster its passenger car lineup.

Ford previously used the mid-sized Mazda6 vehicle architecture to develop the Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ sedans, and the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX crossovers.

Won't be coming here for 2 more years. That's ridiculous. They needed this car a year ago.

And - if Ford actually had a working understanding of what the buyers of such a car care about
- they would have given us some idea of the car's FE.
As it is, we can only hope and figure that it will be better than 30.
50 would be nice! But I seriously doubt it.

Whatever engine it has will likely be 20-30% bigger than the rest of the world and equivalently less efficient. The big three continue to think that all American's would drive a 5.7L hemi if they could afford it!:mad:

It sounds to me like Ford is really just hoping that gasoline drops back to 1.99/gallon or less -- so they don't actually have to *build* and smart, small, efficient cars. My observation for last year was this: When gasoline is below $2/gallon, "average Joe" American goes for guzzlers. At $2.50/gallon, people start thinking about efficient conventional cars. At $3/gallon and up, people start really buying hybrids.

The rumors around this thing is kind of funny. Anyway, it looks OK, I suppose. It's no S-max. I'm wondering if this will ever really get made. Ford in 2 years may not have the resources to put this in motion.

Hi All:

___A few more pics of the Mazda2 courtesy of Mazda ;)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/Mazda2_Front.jpg
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/Mazda_2.jpg

___The next Ford xxxxxxx :)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I feel it's the best looking when compared to the current crop of subcompacts available in the U.S. The Europeans and Asians get lots more choices:mad: .

Hi All:

___A few more tidbits …

Mazda 2 (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/AutoshowArticles/articleId=119890)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Mazda2_Rear.jpgInside Line - Mar. 7, 2007

GENEVA - When Mazda took the wraps off its Mazda 2, the company's new mini-crossover, on Tuesday, it revealed an impressive little performer that is expected to return 44 mpg with a 1.3-liter engine. It is also about 220 pounds lighter than its predecessor, with a 2,103-pound curb weight for the 1.3-liter model.

The Mazda 2 is based on the redesigned Demio, which goes into production in Japan later this spring. The new Demio and Mazda 2 will be the first global products to be built on the next-generation Fiesta platform. The Mazda 2 is noteworthy to American consumers because a variant also is expected to be assembled in Brazil and marketed in the United States at about the same time as the new Fiesta hatchback.

The Mazda 2 will be launched initially with two gas engines: a DOHC 1.3-liter engine with standard 74- and 83-horsepower derivatives, depending on the market, and a peppy 103-hp DOHC 1.5-liter engine with a preliminary top speed of 116 mph. Mazda says it will also roll out a 1.4-liter diesel engine a few months after launch.

Some of the design elements of the Mazda 2 come directly from the Mazda SASSOU design concept that made its debut at the 2005 Frankfurt Auto Show. A sport appearance package will be optional in some markets, and dynamic stability control will be an option in Europe and Australia. Front side airbags and side curtain airbags will also be optional. The Mazda 2 has a MacPherson-strut front suspension and a torsion-beam rear suspension.

The cabin features a glovebox with a magazine rack that allows passengers to get to road maps without opening the glovebox. A 60/40-split-folding rear seat is optional on some trim levels.

What this means to you: The Mazda 2 looks to be a true global competitor, one that should hold its own on U.S. roads.

___As if anyone could not tell, I really like this hot hatch :D

___Good Luck

___Wayne

WOW!:eek: 220lb weight loss compared to the previous generation model?! That type of reduction is unheard of in an industry that for decades has just gotten larger and heavier. Lets hope it's the start of a new trend.

Give us the 1.3!