No, Ford's 'fox Platform' Wasn't Named After The Audi Fox, Stop It

It's not unheard-of for different automakers to usage nan aforesaid names arsenic each different for their vehicles, and nan relationship betwixt Ford's Fox level and nan Audi Fox whitethorn beryllium an illustration — but it's besides almost surely conscionable a coincidence. Consider that Ford first mentioned nan sanction "Fox" successful February 1973, erstwhile it was utilized successful a fund transportation to money a caller world conveyance program. Yet nan Audi Fox wouldn't debut successful nan United States until May of that year.

Yes, nan car had been connected waste successful Europe already, but crossed nan pond it was known arsenic nan Audi 80. So nan only measurement Ford could person copied Audi was if 1 of nan former's merchandise planners had beforehand announcement of Audi's name-changing plans earlier they became public. Possible, but highly unlikely. In addition, to make nan matter somewhat much confusing, Volkswagen sold its ain Foxes that were different from their German predecessors successful almost each but name. VW's versions sold successful nan United States from 1987 to 1993, and elsewhere successful nan early 2000s. And possibly nan astir celebrated Ford Fox assemblage instrumentality really had a moniker based connected different animal entirely, nan Mustang. (Imagine what zoologists must deliberation of a Fox-body Mustang Cobra.)

In nan end, it whitethorn person been benignant of crazy for Ford and Audi to beryllium utilizing nan name. But arsenic nan saying goes, it was crazy for illustration a fox. After all, some models marked awesome turnarounds for their automakers astatine a clip erstwhile each was struggling desperately.

What astir apt wasn't a coincidence was that some Ford and Audi needed to shingle things up successful 1973 arsenic nan repercussions of nan first lipid situation began hitting home. At nan time, Ford was besides struggling to waste immoderate 75 different models globally, which was a immense expense. The Fox level was primitively envisioned arsenic helping whittle down that number by underpinning aggregate vehicles, and it was specifically meant to first support a replacement for nan Ford Pinto — nan astir fuel-efficient Ford of nan era. Ford's world aspirations for nan Fox level fell through, but nan Mustang exemplary built connected nan level went connected to person a agelong and legendary tally appealing to muscle-car enthusiasts. Additionally, a number of fascinating Fox-body cars lived successful nan Mustang's shadow.

Audi astatine nan aforesaid clip was conscionable opening to look successful its modern form, pinch VW buying a controlling liking successful what was still called Auto Union successful 1965 — and which was still offering two-stroke engines. By 1968, nan Audi 100 was successful accumulation arsenic nan brand's first modern luxury sedan, and it yet spawned nan compact Audi 80. Less expensive, lighter, and a joyousness to drive, nan Audi 80 was named nan 1973 car of nan year. Exports to nan U.S. — arsenic nan Audi Fox — began nan aforesaid year, mounting disconnected a new, much prestigious attack to motoring that continues to this very day, pinch cars for illustration nan 2025 Audi A5 and S5 that take nan conflict correct to the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C Class.