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I've been thinking a lot about the rumored "Short-C" CUV that Ford is supposed to introduce in a few years, and I thought I would share them with you. A few posters here seem to think that this "Short C" will replace the EcoSport in North America and perhaps Europe, with a next-gen EcoSport continuing in other markets. I don't think this is the case. With the rapid expansion of the CUV market world-wide, along with other factors, I think Ford will find plenty of volume for each. As an example, Jeep and Nissan both have examples of this: Renegade--Compass--Cherokee--Grand Cherokee & Kicks--Rogue Sport--Rogue--Murano, etc. These would correspond to Ford's: EcoSport--"Short C"--Escape--Edge. I know the Model E, Bronco, and perhaps Mach 1 are coming out, but you can see how these lineups correspond with each other. Let's also look at sizes, using wheelbases & Jeep as a comparison. Renegade: 101 inches EcoSport: : 99 inches (but the next-gen could easily increase to 100/101 Compass: 104 inches Escape (1st & 2nd Generation): 103.1 inches "Short-C": 104/5 inches? Cherokee: 106.3 inches Escape:105.9 inches Next-gen Escape: 107/8 inches? Grand Cherokee: 114.8 iches Edge: 112.2 inches Next-Gen Edge: 114 inches? This seems to line-up pretty well, and you can see how the "Short-C" fits in perfectly with the Jeep Compass and even with the 1st/2nd Gen Escape in size as the next-gen Escape grows a little. I also envision that the "Short C" would have more unique/expressive styling inside and out than the next-gen Escape, allowing it to be more luxurious or classy looking. I just don't want it to look weird like the newest small Hyundai. It could also straddle the powertrains with the EcoSport and the Escape. Perhaps the revised 2.0I4 could be the base engine with a 1.5I3 EcoBoost (from the new Fiesta ST) as the upgrade powertrain. Ford actually has a fair number of options. Anyway, as for names, I'm fond of "Endeavor" or "Equator." Yes, I know those have been used before (by Ford and Suzuki respectively) but they fit in well with Ford's "E-Theme" for CUVs and SUVs. What do you guys think?

Okay, good. Glad my brain didn't make that up. Ha!

Didn't Ford almost/kinda get into this in the late 90's-early-2000's with the THINK! brand? Not saying this couldn't be a good business idea, but I was just wondering if anyone else remembered that.

Cuautitlan would also make a lot of sense as a place to build a next-gen EcoSport-good-lord-I-hope-they-change-the-name-when-they-bring-it-here.

I'm wondering if some of these "China Only Taurus" rumors have a grain of half-truths. What I'm thinking is this: maybe North America, China, the Middle East, and Australia/NZ will get a new Taurus, a large sedan based on the Fusion with a longer wheelbase and slightly taller and wider, etc. North America, China, and the Middle East will also get a new Lincoln MKS. However...maybe China will ALSO get a STRETCHED Taurus with a bigger back seat, similar to the longer versions of the S-Class and 7-Series. North America would not get this model. BUT, North America ( and China and the Middle East ) will get a new sedan based upon this Stretched Taurus platform...called Continental.

I agree, Atomcat68, "Escort" would have been a cool name for the Hybrid car. Even though we in North America are denied the new Escort ( which I think looks pretty good ), I'm glad the name is back at Ford. I always liked the 1997 Escort.

There is an article on GMI and FIN that suggests that the Focus "family" will expand for the fourth generation, including a "outback" package for the Focus Wagon ( presumably for Europe only ), a "Coupe," Convertible, and a hybrid version using the 3-cylinder engine. My reactions: Focus Wagon "Outback": I see this as fairly likely, at least for Europe. Ford will no doubt expand the use of AWD across its lineup and this is a cheap and easy way to add sales and raise ATP on the wagon models. They even released a similar model late in the 2nd Euro generation. "Coupe": This intrigues me because there are so many possibilities. One thing this could mean is that the 3dr hatchback will return...which makes the most sense because this segment still exists in Europe and it requires the fewest unique parts. Another possibility is an outright Focus 2dr. While this would be cool...it would require completely unique sheet-metal, with the possible exception of everything forward the A-pillar. The last possibility is not a Focus coupe, but a coupe/hatchback based on the on the Focus platform. This seems like the least likely scenario to me, but maybe Ford sees an opportunity. Could we see the return of the Ford Capri? Or would they come up with a new nameplate? Convertible: Of all the options the article brings up...this seems the least likely. The sales just aren't there and Buick is already taking up this slot in North America...and they already have the Mustang convertible. Yes, there are more competitors in Europe in this segment...but I just don't see it happening. Focus Hybrid: I do believe that a "Focus" hybrid could use the 3cylinder engine for the gas portion of the powertrain. But the rumors of a Small Car Hybrid Family coming from Ford soon makes me think that this is what the article is referring to, NOT a Focus Hybrid. But his brings up a good point. Ford needs to come up with an excellent name for its Small Car Hybrid Family. I think one of the C-Max's problems in North America is that the name is TERRIBLE. So this time around, I hope Ford picks an great name. Any ideas?

There is a difference between the MKX and the GT/Raptor, etc. The difference is that the Taurus and the MKS/Continental will share a platform and that ( no matter the differentiation ) will make internet trolls scream REBADGE!!!!! ( even thought they have no idea what that word means ).

Is that "official" that the new Taurus will debut in April? It kind of makes sense...except for one thing. If the new MKS/Continental/Whatever is going to show up in New York...that's pretty much the exact same time as the Shanghai Auto Show. Wouldn't Ford want to separate the two cars debuts a bit?

I like the look of this interior. It looks very comfortable, classy, and serene. It actually reminds me a little of a modern interpretation of the 500/2008 Taurus interior, which I loved. Can't wait to see this car.

Yeah...I didn't include the Focus wagon, oops. If the 2017 MY introduction of the 4th generation Focus are true, then Ford could easily be introducing a brand new Focus and Fiesta in the same year. That's pretty cool. Especially for Europe. My comments/suggestions about a small Lincoln were an "either/or" option, not an "and" statement. Lincoln could introduce a Lincoln sedan ( or hatch ) that just had gasoline engines AND perhaps a hybrid model. OR Lincoln could base its small car on the Ford Prius Fighter, making it hybrid/PHEV/EV only. I'm not saying this is likely...but it is very possible. Also, do we think that since the C-Max is likely to disappear from these shores...will the next-gen Escape/MKC get a hybrid version or do we think that Ford will try again with a Hybrid Only Crossover? It also seems highly unlikely to me that the next-gen Fiesta will have a 3dr hatch version coming to North America. It did surprise me that Ford didn't make a 3rd generation Focus 3dr hatchback...at least in Europe. 3dr Hatchbacks still seem numerous in Europe. Anyone know why that version was skipped this time around? Was it canceled in 2008/9 during the Financial Crisis? If the 3dr Focus makes a comeback in Europe for the 4th Generation, I could see Ford bringing it over to North America again. As for a convertible version? I highly doubt it.

It seems pretty clear that Ford will be redesigning its small car lineup for the 2017 and/or 2018 model years. The Fiesta has been on sale worldwide since calendar year 2009 and for the 2011 model year in North America, with a significant update for the 2014 MY. Likewise, we all know the Focus came out for the 2012 MY and gets an update for the 2015 MY. So it seems like the Fiesta and Focus will be fully redesigned for the 2017 and/or 2018 model years. Both cars are still at the top ( or near the top ) of their respective classes so if Ford keeps its eye on the ball they will be great. My only significant complaint about both current cars are their relative lack of interior volume. The original Focus was significantly roomer ( particularly when it came to headroom ) than its peers and I'd like Ford to do that again. Even if leg room increased incrementally, I'd like to see headroom increased by an inch at least. That may be a tall order ( groan ) but I think it should be done. But at least one other vehicle is joining the Fiesta and Focus in Ford's "First World" Small Car Stable. It has been rumored ( and in some ways pretty much confirmed ) that Ford will make a dedicated Hybrid/PHEV/EV vehicle to combat the Prius, Volt, Leaf, etc. I love this idea and I'm very excited about it. There were some other rumors that this car could come in several variants...which gets me thinking. What kind of cars could we get from this new C-Car platform? Obviously we'll get: 1. Focus sedan/5dr 2. Escape 3. Transit Connect 4. C-Max ( Europe ) 5. Grand C-Max ( Europe ) 6. MKC 7. Dedicated Ford Hybrid/PHEV/EV Car The reason I put ( Europe ) next to the C-Max is that with the introduction of Ford's "Prius fighter" I think it is less likely that North America will get the next-gen C-Max. However...there are other possibilities. 8. Hybrid Escape ( replacing Hybrid C-Max ) 9. Hybrid MKC 10. Dedicated Ford Hybrid/PHEV/EV Crossover ( NOT a Hybrid version of the C-Max MPV ) 11. Lincoln Small Premium Sedan ( this is practically a give...especially considering the Chinese market ) 12. Lincoln Small Dedicated Hybrid/PHEV/EV ( Could Lincoln make their small premium car a Hybrid, etc only? I could see a small Lincoln car that came with traditional engines and alt-engine options...but I could also see it going the other way ) What do you guys think?

A few thoughts about the 2015 Focus. When the 2012 Focus debuted...I liked it. Liked it, but didn't love it like I did the original 2000 Focus. But at the Detroit Auto Show this year...I kinda fell for the 2015 Focus. I always felt that the body of the 2012 Focus was well done ( if only the roofline was higher on all models )...and I thought the sedan was especially handsome. But I felt like the 2012's front end too aggressive, looked awkward at certain angles...and wasn't "premium" enough looking, considering the price. I feel like with the 2015 update, they have created a really great look. The front still looks aggressive, but now it looks far more premium and classy. I'm sure that there were a few buyers who were turned off from the 2012 front end that would now put the Focus back on their shopping lists. Also, after playing around on the Built Site...did you notice that the Focus sedan and hatchback now cost the same ( SE & Titanium )? If memory serves, in years past the hatchback models were about a $1,000 more than the sedan.

....anyway...the new MKX looks great. This should be the brand's big profit generator. Call me spoiled, but I was hoping after the "surprise" Ford pulled off with the new GT, I was hoping Lincoln would show a concept or at least the refreshed MKZ. Oh well....there is always Chicago, New York, and Beijing.

Yeah...I'm annoyed that the Raptor and GT are 2017 model years....Ford did that with the 2012 Focus too, showing it off significantly more than a year before its on-sale date. Hopefully Ford has more models to show us for the 2016 model year other than the updated Explorer...new Taurus? Updated Escape and Fusion? And where is the updated C-Max showing up in North America?