(autoinsidernews) - With all of Ford's problems in the U.S., making the automaker's product lineup competitive again is one of the most important tasks ahead of the automaker. And based on the success of the C1 platform that was developed for the European Ford Focus, expect the U.S. arm of the automaker to become more adept at platform-sharing. The versatile small-vehicle architecture has also spawned the Focus C-Max, Focus Coupe-Cabriolet, Volvo S40, V50, C30, C70, Mazda3, Mazda5, and CX-7.
The C1 program cut initial engineering costs by 30 percent, and the savings continue to grow. Ford has struggled with badge-engineering, and the automaker needs a versatile shared-architecture featuring a high level of vehicle differentiation in its home market, reports Trend.
If you look at C1, it's almost a microcosm of what we're trying to do in the enterprise as a whole, says Derrick Kuzak, Ford's North American product chief, and the man who developed the C1 platform. Having a very strong and capable platform and on top of that you put very unique products that are unique not just in how they look but are very consistent with the individual brand DNA.
Ford is using the C1 program as its guide for the U.S. market. A vision of smartly sharing platforms wrapped in unique sheet-metal shells. It is not a new idea, but it is one that Ford must pull off. With Ford growing short on cash, the automaker needs a home run to help get it back in the game.