Ford to Showcase High-Tech B-MAX at Mobile World Congress

As the time neared for Ford to unveil its new B-MAX compact car at the Geneva Auto Show in March, the most intriguing aspect of this vehicle — which reportedly is designed to replace the Ford Fiesta as a global model platform at some point — was the design of the rear doors. They are sliding doors that actually move the central pillar, known as the "B" pillar in the industry, when the doors slide back to open for rear passengers.

The biggest question was: How will B-MAX remain rigid and integral enough, with that structure, to satisfy both handling-stiffness and safety requirements? But now Ford has taken some of the focus off that question because it has moved up the introduction of B-MAX to February 27, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. This will be the first automotive "reveal" at the signature global mobile-technology event.

The automaker, which has been a leader in the use of digital mobile technology in its vehicles through Sync, promises some news that will affirm its leadership in small-car technology. In fact, executive chairman William Ford Jr. is scheduled to deliver the announcement himself in a keynote speech.

According to the company's press release,

Ford is the first manufacturer ever to unveil a car at the leading mobile industry event and will announce significant new technologies for Europe to be debuted on the B-MAX; these will make it one of the continent’s most technologically advanced small cars. Bill Ford also will become the first automotive leader to deliver a keynote speech at MWC when he discusses the company’s vision for mobility in the future and explores the potential for mobile technology and vehicles to play more integrated roles.

“Revealing the B-MAX at Mobile World Congress underlines how important technology is to customers and to Ford,” said Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe. “B-MAX will raise the bar for small vehicles in Europe, combining technology and premium engineering into a compact frame.” Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally will introduce the B-MAX to the automotive world at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show on March 6.

Automotive cognoscenti at Geneva may be more interested in the B-MAX's Easy Access Door System, while the model's debut audience in Barcelona will get the scoop on what else Ford has in development to advance mobile tech.