Ford will sell 10 models on new C-segment platform
Ford C-Max – Click above for high-res image gallery
This week's Frankfurt Motor Show marks the beginning of a new generation of Ford's new C-segment platform with the debut of the new C-Max and Grand C-Max MAVs. According to Ford, over the course of the next few years this new global compact platform will spawn as many as 10 different vehicle variants around the world. In addition to the two C-Max variants, the next Focus will be available as a four-dour sedan, three- and five-door hatchback and convertible. That still leaves a number of other possibilities that Ford hasn't announced yet, which means we'll probably be seeing some crossovers and perhaps even sports variants coming over the next few years. With the increasing importance of the compact segment, all of these variants will play a big part in Ford's future.
Check out the latest edition of the Autoblog Podcast as Ford's Mark Schirmer and Mark Kaufman join us to discuss the new C-Max, EcoBoost and the rest of the C-Segment vehicles.
Gallery: 2010 Ford Grand C-Max
[Source: Ford]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
AK 5:09AM (9/15/2009)
Who exactly is that third row designed for?
Toddlers? Maneuvering them into their seats won't be easy, unless you open the hatch and drop them in from behind (hey, there's an idea!).
Yoga masters? At least they would be able to get in without vaulting over the backs.
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Rick 11:52AM (9/15/2009)
We have the Mazda5 version, but our kids go back there and grandparents go in the middle. So yes, rear seat is for little people and they have no problem getting back there.
Bill 2:05PM (9/15/2009)
Its for spare/reserve seating.
I have friends and neighbors who have Mazda5's, and most of the time the back row is flipped down flat, like a hatchback. In that sense, its more like a station wagon seating 4.
I have sat in the back row, I'm 6ft, and its not that difficult. Limousine comfort? No, but certainly tolerable, and you sit in an upright/chair height position, so at least your knees are not in your face.
meggsy 7:59AM (9/15/2009)
10 models... C-max & Grand, 4-door saloon, 3- & 5-door hatches, coupe-cabriolet, estate, rumoured new Capri (Scirocco rival?) so then just one more. Perhaps a mini-Kuga to compete with the Nissan Qashqai?
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dryanc 8:19AM (9/15/2009)
This is what I want
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Aven 10:04AM (9/15/2009)
Let them come to America too...
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Trace 10:05AM (9/15/2009)
Seriously good news on this thing. Anyone care to guess at the MPG of whatever gas powerplant we will get stuck with?
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Judy Zik 10:41AM (9/15/2009)
Yes folks you can finally put the pieces together and stop troll baiting. Ford really is bringing this over. Since it is the first vehicle based on the next generation world Focus platform it is pretty fair to assume that it is a decent hint at what the next Focus we will get will look like too. Both vehicles will be built in the US for the US market.
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nardvark 3:06PM (9/15/2009)
I wonder if Ford would have brought the Grand C-Max over if they hadn't sold off their controlling stake in Mazda? Seems like this will pretty directly compete against the Mazda5, and not much else.
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rpvitiello 3:06AM (9/16/2009)
kia rondo?
Ford gave up on the minivan market because they did not offer competitive products. With Mazda they tried to launch a new class of them in the US and it did better than expected. If they are planning a new global product line, and are considered competitive in this segment in other parts of the world, why not push into it in the US as well.
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Aged Cheddar 11:52PM (9/19/2009)
Are we getting excited about the C platform possibilities? You bet.
Alan Mulally and the boys at Ford took the "design concept" idea from Mazda, rolled it into the "One Ford" business model and the "platform engineering" process and are about to unveil a family of the best cars they know how to build.
Now if we could just convince them that any respectable c-segment lineup needs a sport variant, with a 6-speed manual transmission!
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