YEs ford could base the 2008 Focus on the futura/ mazda6 platform.
The C1 platform is slightly smaller than the Mazda6, 1in shorter wheelbse But Simlar Track width. IT would be posible to Build a shortened Mazda6 based car and sell it as the Focus here.
so Ford has 4 options in 2008:
<ul type="square">
1) use CW170 (current Focus platform)
2) use C1 platform
3) Use modified futura/Mazda6 platform
4) develop a new North american C sized platform.
[/list]
I favor #2 use the C1, but There is the atraction of using the futura Mazda6 platform because of the Economies of scale form using a 1.1 million unit NA platform.
the risks of using the Futura are:
<ul type="square">
Cost of modifing the platform
futura parts may be too expensive
the modifications may reduce part commonality
economies of scale may be greater with C1.
uncertain production forcasts for North american C1 platform. ( escape,Tribute, Cmax, etc..)
[/list]
It could be that C1 would be cheaper than Futura in 3 years, or vice-versa. weighed against the costs of shrinking Futura, or Americanizing C1.
Nick Scheele COO of For motor company said, "economies of scale aren't global but regional" in reguard to choosing the Mazda6 platform over C1 or C1+ for the futura. The latencies and costs of shipping parts long distances sometimes out weigh the advantages of cheaper parts. large modules like seats, IPs, door panels, sub frames, Etc are expensive to ship, and require shorter lead-time for delivery (JITDS) to maintain a flexible assembly system.
Stay tuned.
The C1 platform is slightly smaller than the Mazda6, 1in shorter wheelbse But Simlar Track width. IT would be posible to Build a shortened Mazda6 based car and sell it as the Focus here.
so Ford has 4 options in 2008:
<ul type="square">
1) use CW170 (current Focus platform)
2) use C1 platform
3) Use modified futura/Mazda6 platform
4) develop a new North american C sized platform.
[/list]
I favor #2 use the C1, but There is the atraction of using the futura Mazda6 platform because of the Economies of scale form using a 1.1 million unit NA platform.
the risks of using the Futura are:
<ul type="square">
Cost of modifing the platform
futura parts may be too expensive
the modifications may reduce part commonality
economies of scale may be greater with C1.
uncertain production forcasts for North american C1 platform. ( escape,Tribute, Cmax, etc..)
[/list]
It could be that C1 would be cheaper than Futura in 3 years, or vice-versa. weighed against the costs of shrinking Futura, or Americanizing C1.
Nick Scheele COO of For motor company said, "economies of scale aren't global but regional" in reguard to choosing the Mazda6 platform over C1 or C1+ for the futura. The latencies and costs of shipping parts long distances sometimes out weigh the advantages of cheaper parts. large modules like seats, IPs, door panels, sub frames, Etc are expensive to ship, and require shorter lead-time for delivery (JITDS) to maintain a flexible assembly system.
Stay tuned.