With gas prices now entrenched at $4 a gallon, automakers are being forced to reconsider their North American lineups, particularly the Big Three. General Motors’ Saturn division looked no further than GM’s European Opel brand to bring fresh and fuel-efficient models to the U.S., and Ford will soon follow suit.
Ford’s first model to make the trek across the pond will be the Fiesta in early 2010. Based on a front-wheel drive Mazda platform, the Fiesta will slot below the Focus and promises to be a high quality small car with excellent fuel economy.
However, the Fiesta range could grow from the already planned sedan and five-door hatchback body styles. Automotive News reports that Ford is also considering a small crossover or minivan based on the Fiesta’s platform. If either body style is given the green light, production could start at Ford’s Louisville, Kentucky plant in time for the 2012 model year.
Although the current Ford Fusion is based on the Mazda 6 platform, the four-door could be making the switch to a global platform for the 2013 model year. The next-generation Fusion will likely ride on Ford’s EUCD platform, which currently underpins the Euro-spec Ford Mondeo.
When the Escape is up for a re-do in 2012, Ford will likely base it on the next-generation Ford Kuga — a crossover that went on sale in Europe this summer. The Kuga is based on the Euro-Focus — which will hit the U.S. market in 2011 — C1 platform and has more car-like styling than the Escape. The new model will also likely spawn a Lincoln model.
Ford’s rear-wheel drive plans are still on, but nothing is set in stone. With high gas prices and a dramatic shift in consumer demand, Ford is taking on a wait-and-see strategy. The original plan called for the rear-wheel drive sedans to hit the market for the 2013 model year, but those plans have likely been pushed back to 2014 or even further.
