Ford CD3 platform - Definition and Overview

The CD3 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 2004. 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 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 (Mazda-designed) Ford C1 platform is taking the lower end. This explains why no Volvo, European Ford, Jaguar, or Land Rover is expected to use the CD3 platform.

Vehicles currently using this platform include the following:

• 2003 Mazda Mazda6

Future models include the following:

• 2006 Ford Fusion sedan (CD338)
• 2006 Ford Edge crossover SUV
• 2006 Lincoln Zephyr sedan (CD378)
• 2006 Mercury Milan sedan (CD334)
• 2007 Lincoln Aviator SUV (next-generation)
• 2007 Ford Fairlane crossover minivan

See also

Current Ford platforms:

• B3 - subcompact FWD (ex: Mazda Mazda2)
• C1 - compact FWD (ex: Mazda Mazda3)
• CD2 - small SUV AWD (ex: Ford Escape)
• CD3 - mid-size FWD/AWD (ex: Mazda Mazda6)
• D2C - sports RWD (ex: Ford Mustang)
• P2/P3 - full-size pickup (ex: Ford F-Series)
• U2/U3 - large SUV (ex: Ford Explorer)
• V2 - minivan (ex: Ford Freestar)
• VN - full-size van (ex: Ford Econoline)
• D3 - full-size FWD/AWD (ex: Volvo S60)
• DEW98 - mid-size RWD (ex: Lincoln LS)
• Panther - full-size RWD (ex: Ford Crown Victoria)
• VH - sports RWD (ex: Aston Martin DB9)