Despite not being official, we've known for some time that Ford CEO Alan Mulally wants to increase the number of platforms shared by its U.S. and European divisions. It's something Ford fanboys have been demanding for some time, and yesterday Mulally officially confirmed that the next-gen Focus and Fusion would be global vehicles, sharing platforms with their counterparts across the pond. This will be in addition to the B-class car that's coming in the form of the new European Fiesta small car that will slot below the Focus in Ford's U.S. lineup.
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/23/mulally-makes-it-official-next-focus-and-fusion-based-on-global/#comments
It's about time, geez. I might actually start to like the focus now.
Hi C0da:
___About time, yes ;) They will not be imports however. The $ vs. Euro has all but destroyed that idea. The platforms however would be great. We can begin exporting American built iron again once these vehicles are back at the top of their game as in Europe.
___Good Luck
___Wayne
jcp123
08-27-2007, 01:32 PM
I was under the impression that the Focus was already on a global platform.
aca2983
08-27-2007, 03:41 PM
The current Focus is on the 1st Generation platform. Europe is in the second generation.
"Global Platforms" doesn't mean a whole lot, and it doesn't mean the same cars would all be the same in all countries.
The current Fusion is arguably built on a global platorm because it is architecturally similar to Mazda6, and others. Current Mazda3 shares with Volvo V40 & Focus Gen. 2. Even most domestic GM cars share elements with European ones.
Every company does this. There are very few cars left that don't share something with another make or model.
Honda and Toyota have excelled at using common elements, but producing cars tailored to local markets. Witness the current Accord and Camry which are unique in the US market, but have parts and design elements that are common to other Hondas and Toyotas. The US Fit is different from the Fit in the rest of the world because they had to modify the front end.
jcp123
08-27-2007, 04:02 PM
The current Focus is on the 1st Generation platform. Europe is in the second generation.
I'm not sure I follow. They did use the 1st gen. over there as well...
aca2983
08-27-2007, 04:24 PM
Yes. The first generation was built off the global platform, in NA and in Europe. Now the two Foci are not in synch, and the 08 Focus is an update of the 1st generation, and still won't be in synch with the European version. Some people will argue that to be a "global platform" the cars would need to be identical the world over. So the argument will be that the Focus being made in the US are no longer off a "global platform" because it's now unique to the US.
The current generation of the Focus in Europe is widely acknowledged to be very good, and many people are dissapointed that North American buyers can't buy it. For the reasons why, there would be many differing opinions and I'm sure someone will chime in with one.
Automakers have struggled with the holy grail of a "World Car" for decades now. It has never worked because different people have different needs and tastes. Instead, it is more economically feasible to streamline certain systems and mechanical elements and go for cost savings there. A totally new car costs $1 billion+ to develop, so it makes sense to share things, and preferably things that the customer can't really see or notice.
I'm just hoping the new Focus that comes out will have similar body style as the Euro models. They look a lot more attractive than our 2008 model.
It seems they need to sharpen the steering and fix the soft suspension before I'd get one though. AND hopefully get a better diesel engine than the Euro version.
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/06/wrc-s_01.jpg
http://www.weblogsinc.com/common/images/7313188218708419.JPG?0.5548224149128961
jcp123
09-01-2007, 07:33 PM
Yes. The first generation was built off the global platform, in NA and in Europe. Now the two Foci are not in synch, and the 08 Focus is an update of the 1st generation, and still won't be in synch with the European version. Some people will argue that to be a "global platform" the cars would need to be identical the world over. So the argument will be that the Focus being made in the US are no longer off a "global platform" because it's now unique to the US.
The current generation of the Focus in Europe is widely acknowledged to be very good, and many people are dissapointed that North American buyers can't buy it. For the reasons why, there would be many differing opinions and I'm sure someone will chime in with one.
Automakers have struggled with the holy grail of a "World Car" for decades now. It has never worked because different people have different needs and tastes. Instead, it is more economically feasible to streamline certain systems and mechanical elements and go for cost savings there. A totally new car costs $1 billion+ to develop, so it makes sense to share things, and preferably things that the customer can't really see or notice.
Gotcha. Still seems to qualify as a world car for me, but I can see where they're coming from now.
I agree, though, that I'm disappointed they didn't sent the Focus II over here...
