Ford Readying Subcompact for U.S.
A Ford version of the Mazda2 would provide a much-needed competitor against popular B-segment cars in the market.
March 1, 2007
Ford Motor Co. plans to modify Mazda Motor Corp.’s Mazda2 B-segment car for sale in North America, Europe, Asia, South America and North America, The Detroit News reports.
Citing an internal webcast by Mark Fields, president-The Americas, the newspaper says Ford of Europe is heading up the project.
A Ford spokesman declines to comment on the report.
The Mazda2, slated to debut at the Geneva auto show next week, reportedly will offer two engines, an 85-hp 1.3L 4-cyl. and 100-hp 1.5L 4-cyl. Whether those engine choices would be offered in the Ford version is unclear.
A B-segment car would give Ford a much-needed competitor against popular subcompacts in the U.S. market, such as the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and Chevrolet Aveo.
In the webcast, Fields stresses the new B-car would not be a so-called “world car.” Rather it would be specifically adapted to the individual markets in which it was offered.
No timeframe is provided as to when the car would debut.
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