2011 Ford Focus a Euro-American Adventure, Again

By Marty Padgett April 15th, 2008

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Ford is laying out plans for the next version of its Focus compacts. And this time around, Ford says it's going to try once more to make the 2011 Ford Focus a global product.

Derrick Kuzak, Ford's product chief, said yesterday that the company is planning the new Focus in its European operations and hopes that 87 percent of the parts in the new vehicle will be common to its global parts bin. The new Focus range could appear in the 2010 or 2011 model years, more likely 2011 since Ford is launching its subcompact Fiesta in 2010.

The current U.S. Focus started life as a part of a global program when it bowed in 2000, but when Ford redesigned the European Focus mid-decade, the American car soldiered on in largely the same format. This year, Ford updated the U.S. Focus' s styling and interior.

The new Focus will ride on an updated version of the C1 platform that underpins the current European version of the Ford Focus. So now's the chance to start lobbying Ford to keep the hot Focuses in its American plans--cars like the Focus RS and this Coupe-Cabriolet version. Tell us in a comment below if Ford should build a wider range of Focus cars with the next generation--and tell us which version you'd buy.

Posted in : 2011, Ford, Shoppers |

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17 Responses to “2011 Ford Focus a Euro-American Adventure, Again”

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The Euro Focus’ arrival in American shores certainly is good news. But I sure hope Ford North America does not water down its version. I understand that there are government-imposed regulations in effect, but let us just hope that the appearance and performance do not get messed up.

I would buy a wagon with a diesel enghine.

Why such harsh words for Focus? Why do people forget the fact that the Toyota Corolla is largely unchanged since 1993? Yes, there were updates in 98 and 03, and most recently 08. But hey, that boring car still has a 4-sp auto and a dated platform. Is there any blog or forum that dare to talk about this fact? Or do they just use Ford to vent their frustration?

Looking at what they did with the “updated” focus, ford could slap the name on a dunkin donuts box and it would sell.

I currently have an ‘02 ZX3 “Deluxe” with great tires/wheels and all the right options. I love the hatch! I want to replace it in 2010 -11 and want another hatch and a 2-door, thank you. I am so disappointed at Ford for ditching the ZX3 and the wagon. I don’t want to drive a rental car which is what the ‘08 is. Gladly I do see a coupe but where’s my hatch? Guess they are going on the cheap with the body structure (hatch creates a huge hole that has to be re-enforced)

BRING ON THAT FIESTA! I WANT ONE!

I remember the first time I saw the current Focus - it immediately made me think of the Escorts from the 1980’s and 1990’s.

Ford seems to routinely forget that the small cars they sell to younger folks today will be the cars they think about in five or 10 years when they are in the market for something more substantial. That impression goes a long way toward their decision as to whether to invest in a Ford product again in the future.

Mostly Ford has been providing shoddy reliability and boring styling to those younger folks. They may as well just ask them to go out and buy a Honda next time.

Mark Says:
April 15th, 2008 at 1:34 pm

You failed the mention the US Focus was updated in 2005 as well as 2008.

You fail to understand that they merely facelifted the Focus in the USA, while over in Europe FOrd sells a BRAND NEW Focus that is also FAR SUPERIOR to the POS Old Focus they still sell here.

That willprobably not hurt Ford’s sales, since people desperately abandon large cars and all kinds of trucks and SUVS and FOcus sales are up this year, one of the few bright spots. Secretaries and old ladies on fixed income who cannot afford $4 gas, will have to buy whatever junk gets the necessary 35 MPG highway, even if it is the old Focus. And most of them really would not notice the improvements in the NEW FOcus.