Ford Laser
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| Ford Laser | |
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| Manufacturer | Mazda |
| Production | 1980-2003 |
| Predecessor | Ford Escort |
| Successor | Ford Focus |
| Class | Compact |
| Related | Ford Capri Ford Escort (North American) Ford Meteor Mazda 323 Mercury Tracer |
The Ford Laser was a compact car sold by Ford in Asia, Oceania, and parts of South America, and Africa. It has generally been available as a sedan or hatchback, although convertible, wagon and pick-up versions have also been available in different markets.
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[edit] Competition with Mazda 323
The Ford Laser was, in fact, a restyled version of the 323 models produced by Mazda in Japan from 1980 onwards. (Ford had acquired a 25% stake in Mazda in 1979.)
In Australia and New Zealand where Ford was seen as a 'local' brand, the Laser outsold its Mazda twin, but in neighbouring Asian countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, as well as Japan itself, the reverse was the case. However, pooling resources with Mazda allowed Ford to maintain a foothold in the region. This was also the case in South America, Africa, and the Caribbean, where the Laser was also sold, in many cases being locally assembled.
[edit] KA/KB
| KA/KB | |
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| Production | 1980-1985 |
| Body style(s) | 3-door hatchback 4-door sedan 5-door hatchback |
| Engine(s) | 1.3 L E3 I4 1.5 L E5 I4 1.5 L E5T I4 |
KA 1981-1983, KB 1983-1985
Engine specifications:
- Mazda E1, 41 kW 1.1L Carb 8V SOHC (‘L’ and ‘GL’ New Zealand models)
- Mazda E3, 49 kW 1.3L Carb 8V SOHC (‘L’ and ‘GL’ models)
- Mazda E5, 54 kW 1.5L Carb 8V SOHC (‘L’, ‘GL’ and ‘GHIA’ models)
- Mazda E5, 59 kW 1.5L Twin Carb 8V SOHC (‘Sports’ models)
- Mazda E5T, 78 kW 1.5L Carb 8V SOHC Turbo (limited edition‘Turbo’ models)
- Mazda E5T, 85 kW 1.5L EFI 8V SOHC Turbo (‘Turbo’ Japan models)
[edit] KC/KE
| KC/KE | |
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| Production | 1985–1990 |
| Body style(s) | 2-door convertible 3-door hatchback 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon 5-door hatchback |
| Engine(s) | 1.3 L E3 I4 1.6 L B6 I4 1.6 L B6T I4 |
1985-1990
Engine specifications:
- Mazda E3, 49 kW 1.3L Carb 8V SOHC (‘L’ and ‘GL’ models)
- Mazda B6, 53 kW 1.6L Carb 8V SOHC (‘GL’ and ‘GHIA’ models)
- Mazda B6, 61 kW 1.6L EFI 8V SOHC (option on ‘GHIA’ models and standard on ‘TX3’ models)
- Mazda B6T, 100 kW 1.6L EFI 16V DOHC Turbo (‘TX3 Turbo’ and ‘Turbo 4WD’ models)
[edit] KF/KH
| KF/KH | |
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| Production | 1990-1995 |
| Body style(s) | 3-door hatchback 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon 5-door hatchback |
1990-1994
Engine specifications:
- Mazda B6-2E, 64 kW 1.6L Carb 16V SOHC (‘XL’, ‘GL’, ‘Horizon’ and ‘Indy’ models)
- Mazda BP, 76 kW 1.8L F/I 16V SOHC (‘GHIA’, ‘S’ and ‘GLi’ models)
- Mazda BP, 92 kW 1.8L F/I 16V DOHC (‘TX3 non-turbo’ models)
- Mazda BPT, 117 kW 1.8L F/I 16V DOHC Turbo (‘TX3 Turbo’ and ‘Turbo 4WD’ models)
[edit] KJ
1996-1998
The new KJ Laser was introduced in 1994, and was the first Laser to be fully imported from Japan after Ford Australia decided to close their Homebush plant. The KJ Laser represented a major change in design; looking much more different than the previous KH model. However the KJ proved unsuccessful and was disappointing in sales, mainly because of the smaller Festiva and other Korean models which many buyers flocked to.
| KJ | |
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| Production | 1996-1998 |
| Body style(s) | 4-door sedan 5-door hatchback |
Engine Specifications:
- Mazda B6, 80kW, 1.6L, 16V, DOHC ('LXi' models)
- Mazda BP, 92kW, 1.8L, 16V, DOHC ('GLXi' and some 'LXi' models)
[edit] KN/KQ
| KN/KQ | |
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| Production | 1999-2003 |
| Body style(s) | 4-door sedan 5-door hatchback |
- Mazda 1.8 L FP-DE DOHC I4 (‘GHIA’, ‘S’ and ‘GLi’ models)
- Mazda 2.0 L FS, 130 hp (97 kW) and 135 ft·lbf (183 N·m)
- Mazda 2.0 L FS-ZE (2001 Sport 20)
- 1.6 L ZM-DE 104 hp (72kW)106.95 lb/ft (145 Nm)
[edit] Markets
The Ford Laser was sold in several markets over the vehicles lifespan.
[edit] Japan
Platform and assembly-line sharing with the locally produced Mazda Familia allowed the Laser to be offered with a plethora of engine, paint and trim configurations not available anywhere else in the world. This was most notably evident during the 1980s with multiple turbocharged variants, 'unique' bodyshells such as the Cabriolet, and full-time 4WD models all available years before their debuts in other markets (and in some cases, never making it offshore at all).
Along with the Japanese produced Ford Telstar and Ford Festiva the Laser was sold at special 'Autorama' dealerships.
The first Lasers went on sale in late 1982 as the BE series, which was identical to the Australian KB Laser. Fuel-injection and a 115PS turbocharged model were added in July 1983; these variants were never offered for sale outside of Japan.
January 1985 saw the advent of the BF series Laser (KC/KE in other markets). For the first time a Diesel version was offered, as well as a factory 2-door cabriolet, a DOHC 16-valve Sport version, and a potent 140PS DOHC turbo model with full-time 4WD drivetrain (identical to the contemporary Mazda Familia BFMR). This added up to an extremely convoluted product line, which was later streamlined in 1987 with a mid-life model refresh (KE series in other markets).
The model refresh dropped E-series engines in favour of all-new B-series equivalents, poorer-selling variants were discontinued, and minor changes were made to exterior styling and interior trim.
The BG series of 1989-1994 (KF/KH) went on to be the most popular Laser sold in Japan, with the new "coupe" (liftback) version an instant success. Again, a DOHC turbo model with full-time 4WD was offered as a companion car to the Mazda Familia GT-X, now producing 180PS from an increased displacement of 1.8 litres.
Unfortunately, all sporting models were discontinued when the BHA (KJ/KL) model was released in 1995 in the wake of poor sales and financial returns as Mazda scaled back operations and sought to rearrange market focus. As a result the Laser was renamed Lidea and popularity waned further towards the end of the 1990s, until production of the final BJ (KN/KQ) model ceased at the end of 2002, to be replaced by the imported Ford Focus.
[edit] Australia
The Laser replaced the rear-wheel-drive Escort in Australasia in 1981, proving hugely popular as a hatchback, as well as a sedan (initially known as the Meteor), and providing a worthy rival to Japanese models like the Toyota Corolla; the Meteor nameplate died in Australia when the KE sedan was launched in 1987, but survived in South Africa until 1995.
Local production of the Laser in Australia ceased in 1995 when Ford closed its plant in Homebush in Sydney, and imported the model from Japan. The Laser was finally replaced by the Focus in 2002.
[edit] New Zealand
In New Zealand, local assembly of the Laser continued under a joint venture between Ford New Zealand and Mazda, called Vehicle Assemblers of New Zealand (VANZ). Based in Wiri, Auckland, the VANZ plant also assembled the Mazda 323, until it closed in 1997. The range included the old station wagon model, discontinued in other markets in 1989, until it was replaced by the Escort in 1996.
1980-1984 versions (New Zealand) had these versions:
- 1.1 L petrol I4 (offered only in L trim level, three-door hatchback/four-door sedan)
- 1.3 L petrol I4 (offered in L, GL, Ghia: L versions were three/five-door hatchback, GL/Ghia five-door only)
- 1.5 L petrol I4 (same trims as above, LX version available from 1982, five-door only)
1985-1991 versions (New Zealand) were:
- 1.1 L petrol I4 (offered only in L trim level, three/five-door hatchback)
- 1.3 L petrol I4 (offered in L, GL, LX, Ghia versions: L was three/five-door, GL/LX/Ghia all five-door only)
- 1.5 L petrol I4 (offered in GL, LX, Ghia versions, five-door only)
- 1.6 L petrol I4 (offered in L, GL, LX, Ghia versions; five-door only, sports GT version was three-door only).
From 1991 the redesigned versions were similar to Australian versions, although the KJ Laser was dropped in 1997 to be replaced by the Escort hatchback and sedan, which were replaced in 1999 by the KN model. The Laser was finally replaced by the Focus in New Zealand in 2003.
[edit] Southern Africa
The Laser was first introduced in Zimbabwe in 1981, but was not introduced in South Africa until 1986, when it replaced the European-sourced Escort. At this time, Ford in South Africa had established a joint venture with Anglo American Corporation, which assembled Mazdas, known as Samcor, before it finally divested from the country in 1988.
The same model remained in production in South Africa until 1995, when it was replaced by the Ford Escort, although the Ford Tonic, using the 323 bodyshell, was offered as an entry-level model. A pick-up version called the Ford Bantam, unique to South Africa, was also sold, before it was replaced by a version of the Ford Fiesta.
The Laser was offered with the following engine derivatives in South Africa: - 1.3 Carburetor (50 kW) B3 Engine - 1.4 Carburetor (55 KW) Ford CVH Engine - 1.6 Carburetor (60 kW) F6 Engine - 1.6i Fuel Injection (77 kW) B6F Engine
A limited production run 2.0iRS model using a 2.0 16V DOHC "Mazda 626 FE" engine was also produced in the early 90's yielding 109 kW (146 hp).
[edit] North America
In 1987, a version of the Laser built in Mexico was exported to the USA, where it was known as the Mercury Tracer. In Canada, Ford opted to import Mercury Tracer from Taiwan instead. The Laser was the basis of later Escort models sold in North America, which is not to be confused with the model of the same name sold in Europe. In 1991, the American Ford Escort was replaced by a version of the Laser/323, although the Escort name was retained. The Escort Wagon seen in North America during that generation was unique to that continent and was not part of the Laser ranges elsewhere.
[edit] Latin America and Caribbean
The Ford Laser was also assembled and sold in some countries in Latin America, such as Colombia and Venezuela, and was sold in right hand drive markets in the Caribbean such as Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
[edit] Asia
As well as being produced in Japan, the Laser was also assembled in Malaysia and Indonesia (in right hand drive). It was also assembled in left hand drive markets like Taiwan and the Philippines. In Taiwan, (where it was assembled by local joint venture Ford Lio Ho), the Laser sedan was replaced by the Tierra, with distinct styling. Updated versions of this model have also been sold in Thailand as the Laser Tierra, while in Malaysia, the Laser was renamed the Lynx.
[edit] Replacements
The Laser has now been replaced in most markets around the world by the European-sourced Focus, designated as one of Ford's 'world cars'. The Mazda 323's replacement, the Mazda3, is also based on the same platform as the new model Focus, meaning that both companies' products in this market segment will use the same platform around the world.
Updated versions of the Laser known as the Laser, Laser Tierra, Laser Lynx, Laser Lynx RS, and Tierra were marketed in Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, and Taiwan, respectively, but eventually replaced by the Focus.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Contains a discussion board for Laser owners and a range of technical information
- Sorting out worldwide Ford compact models
- List of Ford Laser models with pictures and details on engine used
- Used Car Safety Ratings - Ford Laser
- Website dedicated to Ford Laser modification
- Ford Laser overview
- Forums and Information on Laser's, based in New Zealand
- Ford Club Philippines :: The online Filipino Community for Ford Owners.
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