Ford Laser
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ford Laser | |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Similar | Honda Civic Toyota Corolla Nissan Pulsar Mitsubishi Colt Holden/Opel Astra |
The Ford Laser was a compact car sold by Ford in Asia, Australia, 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.
Contents |
[edit] Competition with Mazda 323
The Ford Laser is, in fact, a restyled version of the 323 models produced by Mazda in Japan from 1980 onwards. (Ford had acquired a 25 percent stake in Mazda in 1979.) Many buyers in Australia and New Zealand were totally unaware that the Laser was Japanese at all, with Ford being seen as a 'local' brand. In those markets, the Laser outsold its Mazda twin, but in neighbouring Asian countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, 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] Australia
The Laser replaced the rear-wheel-drive Escort in Australasia in 1981, proving hugely popular as a hatchback, as well as a sedan (also 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.
[edit] KA/KB
| KA/KB | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Production | 1980-1985 |
| Body style | 3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback |
| Engine | 1.3 L E3 I4 1.5 L E5 I4 1.5 L E5T I4 |
KA 1981-1983, KB 1983-1985
Engine specifications:
- Mazda E3, 49kW 1.3L Carb 8V SOHC (‘L’ and ‘GL’ models)
- Mazda E5, 54kW 1.5L Carb 8V SOHC (‘L’, ‘GL’ and ‘GHIA’ models)
- Mazda E5, 59kW 1.5L Twin Carb 8V SOHC (‘Sports’ models)
- Mazda E5T, 78kW 1.5L Carb 8V SOHC Turbo (‘Turbo’ models)
[edit] KC/KE
| KC/KE | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1985–1990 |
| Body style | 2-door convertible 3-door hatchback 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon 5-door hatchback |
| Engine | 1.3 L E3 I4 1.6 L B6 I4 1.6 L B6T I4 |
1985-1990
Engine specifications:
- Mazda E3, 49kW 1.3L Carb 8V SOHC (‘L’ and ‘GL’ models)
- Mazda E6, 53kW 1.6L Carb 8V SOHC (‘GL’ and ‘GHIA’ models)
- Mazda B6, 61kW 1.6L EFI 8V SOHC (option on ‘GHIA’ models and standard on ‘TX3’ models)
- Mazda B6T, 100kW 1.6L EFI 16V DOHC Turbo (‘TX3 Turbo’ and ‘Turbo 4WD’ models)
[edit] KF/KH
| KF/KH | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1990-1995 |
| Body style | 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
| KJ | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1994-1998 |
[edit] KN/KQ
| KN/KQ | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1999-2003 |
[edit] New Zealand
Ford New Zealand continued to assemble the Laser locally until 1997, and the range included the old station wagon model, discontinued in other markets in 1989, until it was replaced by the Escort.
1980-1984 versions (New Zealand) had these versions:
- 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.
[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, before it finally divested from the country in 1988.However, this badge engineering of the Mazda 323 as the Ford Laser and Meteor, proved less popular in South Africa than it did in Australasia.
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 (50kW) B3 Engine - 1.6 Carburetor (60kW) F6 Engine - 1.6i Fuel Injection (77kW) 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 109kW.
[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
It was also known as the Lidea in Japan and the Tierra in Taiwan. Updated versions of the Laser known under various names are marketed in Southeast Asia and Taiwan.
[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, Lynx, RS Lynx, 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
