Ford C1 platform
Encyclopedia
The Ford C1 platform is Ford
's global compact car
automobile platform
. It replaces Ford C170 platform
and Mazda's BJ platform
. The C1 platform debuted with the Europe
an Ford Focus C-Max compact MPV
in early 2004. The platform is designed for either front- or all wheel drive.
The C platform was designed in the Ford development center at Europe Cologne, Germany, as the "C Technologies Program". It was said to be one of the largest platform programs in history at that time. Ford Focus, Volvo S40 and V50, and Mazda3 share about 60 percent of their parts and components. Thirty engineers each from Ford, Mazda
, and Volvo
worked in Cologne for two years to combine the compact car engineering for all three automakers under the direction of Ford Director of C Technologies Derrick Kuzak, Ford of Europe vice president of product development.
The C1 platform has been stretched creating the EUCD
for use in future Volvo
vehicles. Volvo's plans call for all of their cars to be C1, EUCD, or D3
-based in the coming years.
Among all of the cars, the floorpan
is different, but the front- and rear-subframe
s, suspension
, steering
, braking, safety
, and electrical components are shared.
Vehicles currently using this platform include the following:
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
's global compact car
Compact car
A compact car , or small family car , is a classification of cars which are larger than a supermini but smaller than or equal to a mid-size car...
automobile platform
Automobile platform
An automobile platform is a shared set of common design, engineering, and production efforts, as well as major components over a number of outwardly distinct models and even types of automobiles, often from different, but related marques...
. It replaces Ford C170 platform
Ford C170 platform
The Ford C170 Platform is Ford's compact car automobile platform from the late 1990s used by the international Ford Focus through its first generation and continued in use by the North American Ford Focus and the Ford Transit Connect....
and Mazda's BJ platform
Mazda B platform
The Mazda B platform is an automobile platform for compact cars. It has been used by a number of vehicles from Mazda and Ford Motor Company in Japan and abroad.-BD:...
. The C1 platform debuted with the Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an Ford Focus C-Max compact MPV
Compact MPV
A compact MPV is a car classification used in Europe to describe multi-purpose vehicle versions of small family cars , fitting between the mini MPV and large MPV sub-segments...
in early 2004. The platform is designed for either front- or all wheel drive.
The C platform was designed in the Ford development center at Europe Cologne, Germany, as the "C Technologies Program". It was said to be one of the largest platform programs in history at that time. Ford Focus, Volvo S40 and V50, and Mazda3 share about 60 percent of their parts and components. Thirty engineers each from Ford, Mazda
Mazda
is a Japanese automotive manufacturer based in Fuchū, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.In 2007, Mazda produced almost 1.3 million vehicles for global sales...
, and Volvo
Volvo Cars
Volvo Car Corporation, or Volvo Personvagnar AB, is a Swedish automobile manufacturer founded in 1927, in Gothenburg, Sweden. It is owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. Volvo was originally formed as a subsidiary company to the ball bearing maker SKF. When Volvo AB was introduced on the Swedish...
worked in Cologne for two years to combine the compact car engineering for all three automakers under the direction of Ford Director of C Technologies Derrick Kuzak, Ford of Europe vice president of product development.
The C1 platform has been stretched creating the EUCD
Ford EUCD platform
The Ford EUCD platform is Ford's global midsize car automobile platform. It is loosely based on Ford's compact Ford C1 platform...
for use in future Volvo
Volvo Cars
Volvo Car Corporation, or Volvo Personvagnar AB, is a Swedish automobile manufacturer founded in 1927, in Gothenburg, Sweden. It is owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. Volvo was originally formed as a subsidiary company to the ball bearing maker SKF. When Volvo AB was introduced on the Swedish...
vehicles. Volvo's plans call for all of their cars to be C1, EUCD, or D3
Ford D3 platform
The Ford D3 platform is a Ford global full-size car automobile platform. It was designed by Volvo before the Ford purchase and debuted with the Volvo S80 sedan in early 1999. The platform is designed for either front- or all wheel drive with an extended wheelbase option.-Overview:Ford's D3...
-based in the coming years.
Among all of the cars, the floorpan
Floorpan
The floorpan is a large sheet metal stamping that often incorporates several smaller welded stampings to form the floor of a large vehicle and the position of its external and structural panels....
is different, but the front- and rear-subframe
Subframe
A subframe is a structural component of a vehicle, such as an automobile or an aircraft, that uses a discrete, separate structure within a larger body-on-frame or unit body to carry certain components, such as the engine, drivetrain, or suspension. The subframe is bolted and/or welded to the vehicle...
s, suspension
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
, steering
Steering
Steering is the term applied to the collection of components, linkages, etc. which will allow a vessel or vehicle to follow the desired course...
, braking, safety
Safety
Safety is the state of being "safe" , the condition of being protected against physical, social, spiritual, financial, political, emotional, occupational, psychological, educational or other types or consequences of failure, damage, error, accidents, harm or any other event which could be...
, and electrical components are shared.
Vehicles currently using this platform include the following:
- 2003 – Ford Focus C-MaxFord Focus C-MAXThe Ford C-Max is a compact MPV produced by Ford in Saarlouis for Europe since 2003 and in North America from 2011. Although C-MAX was initially available only in Europe, the first generation was partially available in New Zealand. The North American model will launch with the second generation...
(C214), first European vehicle on this platform - 2004 – Mazda 3 (BK)
- 2005 – Ford Focus (International) (C307), (Note: the Ford Focus (North America) continues on the C170Ford C170 platformThe Ford C170 Platform is Ford's compact car automobile platform from the late 1990s used by the international Ford Focus through its first generation and continued in use by the North American Ford Focus and the Ford Transit Connect....
platform through 2010) - 2004 – Volvo S40Volvo S40The Volvo S40 is a small family car produced by Volvo. It introduced the first generation S40 and V40 cars in 1995...
(P11) - 2004 – Volvo V50 (P12)
- 2006 – Mazda 5 (and related Ford i-Max)
- 2006 – Volvo C70Volvo C70The Volvo C70 is a luxury automobile manufactured by Volvo Cars in two generations: the first from model years 1997-2002 as coupé and from 1999 to 2006 as a softtop convertible...
(P15) - 2007 – Volvo C30Volvo C30The Volvo C30 is a small family car produced by Volvo Cars. The C30 is a three-door, four-seat hatchback powered by straight-4 and straight-5 engines. The car is a hatchback version of the S40/V50/C70 range, and uses the same Ford C1 platform. It is being marketed as a premium hatchback or a...
(P14) - 2008 – Ford KugaFord KugaThe Ford Kuga is a compact crossover SUV designed and produced by Ford. The car is based on the C1 platform that also form the underpinnings of the Ford Focus and Ford C-MAX...
(C394) - 2009 – Mazda 3 (Note: the Mazda 3 continues on old C1)
Ford's new global C-segment platform
Future Ford global C platform vehicles:- 2010 – Ford C-Max
- 2010 – Ford Grand C-Max
- 2011 – Ford Focus
- 2013 – Ford Escape/Kuga