Ford CD3 platform

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The CD3 (for "C/D-class") is Ford's global midsize car automobile platform. It was designed by Mazda in association with Ford and debuted with the Mazda Mazda6 sedan in early 2003. Mazda refers to the CD3 platform as GG/GY. The platform is designed for either front or all-wheel drive. Ford also plans to add a Hybrid powertrain on the platform, and the 2009 minivan V2 platform will use the CD3 as its base.

Ford insiders claim that this platform, developed in Japan by Mazda, is primarily for the North American market. Although there will eventually be 10 different vehicles on the platform, only the Mazda6/Atenza will be sold outside North America. Ford reportedly spent just US$1,000,000,000 on development of all ten CD3 models, which is about what the company would have spent on each model if they were developed independently.

Note that there is also a Ford D3 platform which different from the CD3 and is based on Volvo technology. For the European market, this is the larger platform of choice, while the Ford C1 platform (jointly developed by Ford, Mazda, and Volvo) is taking the lower end. Volvo, European Ford, Jaguar, and Land Rover will base their future midsize cars on an extended version of the C1 called the EUCD.

Vehicles currently using this platform include the following:

2003–present Mazda 6
2006–present Ford Fusion sedan (CD338)
2006–present Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ sedan (CD378)
2006–present Mercury Milan sedan (CD334)

Future models include the following:

Cancelled CD3 products:

2007 Ford Fairlane crossover minivan (switched to D3)

CD3 2

The CD3 platform is expected to be redesigned for the 2008 Mazda Mazda6 replacement.

Future CD3 2 models:

Ford CD3 platform

CD3 2

References

See also