With the introduction of the Ford C-Max and Grand C-Max at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show, the Blue Oval has shown the first vehicles that will ride on its new C-segment platform. The new architecture is a key piece of hardware for the globally focused automaker, as it stands to underpin all of the company’s new compact cars. From a business perspective, it’s all about economies of scale, with Ford planning to build more than 2 million vehicles annually on the C platform and the compact segment expected to account for 27.8 percent of new car sales by 2013. But for consumers, the commitment to a single architecture won’t mean any shortage of unique products. To the contrary, Ford says the new global C platform will eventually underpin up to ten different models.

Ford has officially only committed to five of the theoretical ten vehicles, but putting together a complete ten-car list isn’t all that difficult. Four of the cars are already confirmed for the United States. By late 2011, we'll have an electric Focus, sedan and five-door hatchback Focuses, and the Grand C-Max. Ford's current European lineup provides strong clues as to what other C platform cars might be in the works. Additional Focus variants on the new structure will probably include a three-door hatchback, a wagon, and a hardtop coupe-convertible model—at least for Europe, if not the U.S. The five-passenger C-Max unveiled at Frankfurt makes eight models based on the new architecture.

The ninth model is likely a small crossover. The Ford Kuga currently sold in Europe is a safe bet, but that vehicle just went on sale in 2008 on the older C1 platform, so it will be several years before a move to the new platform can be justified. At the same time, expect “One Ford” to bring the new Kuga to our shores, perhaps using the Escape name.

Pinning down the final model is a bit more challenging. Auto Express reported in May that a sportier three-door hatch will be built wearing a Capri badge. That's a possibility, although it likely wouldn't translate into a U.S. model. In Europe, the Capri moniker has clout like the Mustang does here. Furthermore, Europe has an existing market for sporty and upscale small cars that command a price premium, as evidenced by the Volkswagen Scirocco and Renault Mégane Coupé. Another possibility is a two-door Focus coupe like the car currently on sale here. Ford could also argue that a performance Focus SVT with a unique powertrain is its own model, regardless of what body style it sported. And then there’s the chance that there is no tenth model, as Ford has qualified the compact production plans by saying there will be “up to” ten vehicles.