(autoinsidernews) - While Mazda hasn't officially said the Mazda2 is coming to the States (although everyone expects that it is), Ford has said it is developing a B-segment car for the U.S. But what is Ford going to call it?
With Ford's recent return of the Taurus and Sable, Ford may look into its past for the B-car's name. If Ford decides to go with a name from its past the only question is how far back it would look. It could go back to the 70s for the Pinto or Fiesta, or the 80s for the Escort and Festiva. The Festiva? No way. The Pinto? Great name, but too many negatives. Fiesta or Escort? While Fiesta is an old name in the States, Ford still builds a Fiesta in Europe, which could also work here. Automobile thinks it will be the Escort, and has whipped up this rendering of what the Escort could look like when it returns in 2009.
However, there is no sign that Ford is actually returning to names from its past, despite the reintroduction of the Taurus. The Five Hundred was the replacement for the Taurus, and there's no way around that fact. There was no reason for the Five Hundred name other than the "Ford names should begin with 'F'" philosophy.