Ford B3 platform

Ford B3 platform
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Also called	Ford B2E platform Mazda DY platform Mazda DE platform
Production	2002–present
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact platform (B)
Chronology
Predecessor	Ford B platform Mazda D platform
Successor	Ford global B platform

The Ford B3 platform (for "B-class") is a subcompact automobile platform that is jointly developed by Ford Motor Company and Mazda Motor Company at centers in Europe as well as North America and Australia.^[1] Previously, Ford has used the Mazda-engineered D platform for its B-segment Ford Festiva (hatchback). This new global B-platform project was initiated by Ford in Dearborn, MI and is equipped with front MacPherson strut and twist-beam rear suspension.^[1] The front suspension arms (wishbone) are attached to a pressed-steel welded subframe, which is directly bolted onto the bodyshell. The design is made to accommodate diverse engine options.

Vehicles using this platform include:

• Ford Fusion(Discontinued)
• Ford Fiesta Mk5(Discontinued)
• Ford Ikon(Discontinued)
• Ford Figo
• Mazda Demio/Mazda2 (Mazda D Platform)
• Mazda Verisa (Mazda D Platform)

Ford global B-car platform

New Ford global B-car platform (sometimes global B1 or B2E) were designed and developed as Ford’s global B-segment platform. It is the first B-platform developed by Ford's global product development process.^[2][3]

Vehicles using (2008–) this global platform include:

• Ford Ka (3rd generation)
• Ford Fiesta (6th generation)
• Ford B-Max
• Ford Transit Courier
• Ford EcoSport (2nd generation)

References

1. "Mazda2/Demio based on Fiesta", SAE International, 2002-12-01.
2. "Ford Fiesta marks latest global milestone". Ford Motor Company. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
3. "Ford ushers in global small car era". Ford Motor Company. Retrieved 2011-06-21.