Ford Focus to debut at Detroit

[SVT666]

Next-gen Ford Focus to debut at Detroit show
01/08/2010, 11:17 AM
BY DREW JOHNSON

It?s no secret that Ford will soon sell a version of its European Focus here in the United States, but the Blue Oval has kept rather mum about when we might see a production version U.S.-bound car. The wait will soon be over, however, as a Ford rep has revealed the new Ford Focus will make its U.S. debut at next week?s Detroit Auto Show.

Despite its availability in the European market, the next-generation Focus remains one of Ford?s most highly anticipated vehicles. Replacing the currently Focus, the European version will be a welcome departure from the current car?s questionable interior and awkward styling.

Speaking with The Detroit News about a Congressional delegation visiting the Detroit show, Ford spokesman Mike Moran let slip that the new Focus would be in attendance. ?We are delighted that Speaker Pelosi and her leadership team are coming for a firsthand look at our newest products like our global small car the Ford Focus, a view of our electrification strategies and many more advanced technologies, ? he said.

Ford has yet to make any official announcement about the Focus at next week?s Detroit show.

In addition to the new Focus, an updated version of the Lincoln MKX crossover will also be on hand at the Detroit show.

[ifcar]

In addition to the new Focus, an updated version of the Lincoln MKX crossover will also be on hand at the Detroit show.

Updated Edge, too, I assume. Ford released the photos of the interiors of both:

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2010/01/2011-ford-edge-2011-lincoln-mkx-interiors-up-close.html

[Raza]

I'd consider the ST, but I'd move the RS to the top of my list if they sell it here.

[SVT666]

Updated Edge, too, I assume. Ford released the photos of the interiors of both:

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2010/01/2011-ford-edge-2011-lincoln-mkx-interiors-up-close.html

Ford's new touch sensitive buttons are really cool.

[SVT666]

I'd consider the ST, but I'd move the RS to the top of my list if they sell it here.

If the RS comes here, I might sacrifice buying a Mustang for it.

[Colonel Cadillac]

Pelosi and leadership team are coming? Interesting 

[565]

So basically we are getting the same car that the rest of the world had since 2004 or so.  Now that it's about to get phased out for a new model, we are finally getting the left overs here.

Why does Ford continue to insult us so?  It's like taking the girlfriend to a fancy dinner and bringing the half eaten leftovers back to the wife at home.  The saddest thing is that we are getting all excited about it like a bunch of desperate wenches.

It's 2010, we should be getting the 2010 3rd Gen Focus that Ford deems fitting for the rest of the world.  Ford fed us the BS that the U.S. market was unique and our MKII Focus wasn't worse, just "different."  Well clearly not so different now that the rest of the world is done with their MKII Focus and suddenly it's good enough for us again.

[nickdrinkwater]

So basically we are getting the same car that the rest of the world had since 2004 or so.  Now that it's about to get phased out for a new model, we are finally getting the left overs here.

Why does Ford continue to insult us so?  It's like taking the girlfriend to a fancy dinner and bringing the half eaten leftovers back to the wife at home.  The saddest thing is that we are getting all excited about it like a bunch of desperate wenches.

It's 2010, we should be getting the 2010 3rd Gen Focus that Ford deems fitting for the rest of the world.  Ford fed us the BS that the U.S. market was unique and our MKII Focus wasn't worse, just "different."  Well clearly not so different now that the rest of the world is done with their MKII Focus and suddenly it's good enough for us again.

You can't really blame Ford when you guys buy millions of the fucking things.  As ifcar told me, you guys don't want a good small Ford, just a cheap one.

[SVT666]

So basically we are getting the same car that the rest of the world had since 2004 or so.  Now that it's about to get phased out for a new model, we are finally getting the left overs here.

Why does Ford continue to insult us so?  It's like taking the girlfriend to a fancy dinner and bringing the half eaten leftovers back to the wife at home.  The saddest thing is that we are getting all excited about it like a bunch of desperate wenches.

It's 2010, we should be getting the 2010 3rd Gen Focus that Ford deems fitting for the rest of the world.  Ford fed us the BS that the U.S. market was unique and our MKII Focus wasn't worse, just "different."  Well clearly not so different now that the rest of the world is done with their MKII Focus and suddenly it's good enough for us again.

Your anger is unfounded.  My understanding is that we're getting the third generation Focus.  The reason it took so long for it to come here is that Ford was waiting for the new 3rd gen Euro Focus to be ready and it will be released worldwide as Ford's second true global car with the Fiesta being the first.

[565]

You can't really blame Ford when you guys buy millions of the fucking things.  As ifcar told me, you guys don't want a good small Ford, just a cheap one.

You can't really blame Ford when you guys buy millions of the fucking things.  As ifcar told me, you guys don't want a good small Ford, just a cheap one.

The Focus sold best here when it was the same car the rest of the world was getting.    The Domestics wonder why their image is such crap when they reserve the crappiest products just for the domestic market.

Plus this news we are getting the MK II focus in 2010 totally goes against what Ford had been saying before about the MKIII Focus release.

http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=29772

"This marketing approach follows consolidation of Ford?s global product development activities in 2006 and global purchasing operations in 2008.  It also reflects an aggressive move to global vehicles.  All Ford vehicles competing in global segments will be common in North America, Europe and Asia within the next five years.  They include Fiesta- and Focus-sized small cars, Fusion- and Mondeo-sized mid-size cars and utilities, and commercial vans.

The new Ford Focus global small car ? which will be introduced in North America, Europe and Asia nearly simultaneously in 2010 ? will be the first vehicle to benefit from global coordination."

I guess by North America, they really just mean Mexico.  I also love how "global" means everyone but U.S. and Canada.

[565]

Your anger is unfounded.  My understanding is that we're getting the third generation Focus.  The reason it took so long for it to come here is that Ford was waiting for the new 3rd gen Euro Focus to be ready and it will be released worldwide as Ford's second true global car with the Fiesta being the first.

Wait we are?  If that is true, then it's all good.

This part makes it sound not so promising.

"Despite its availability in the European market, the next-generation Focus remains one of Ford?s most highly anticipated vehicles. Replacing the currently Focus, the European version will be a welcome departure from the current car?s questionable interior and awkward styling."

The MKIII Focus isn't available in the European market yet.  It just sounds like we are getting the rehash of the MKII car from the wording in the article. Hopefully they are mistaken.

[ifcar]

The Focus sold best here when it was the same car the rest of the world was getting.

That's not quite a valid comparison, because everyone's sales are down since 2000.

[S204STi]

Pelosi and leadership team are coming? Interesting 

Yeah, they're going to be checking out the latest offerings from GM, Chrysler, and I guess Ford.  What the have to do with Ford is beyond me.  Maybe they want to see what a company that isn't run by bureaucrats can build.

[Vinsanity]

If the RS comes here, I might sacrifice buying a Mustang for it.

Which might be a reason Ford might not want to bring it here. Although honestly I don't think that the RS would cannibalize Mustang sales too much. If anything, they're going to treat it the same way they did the Sierra XR4, like an unloved stepchild while the Mustang remains their favorite child.

[Raza]

Which might be a reason Ford might not want to bring it here. Although honestly I don't think that the RS would cannibalize Mustang sales too much. If anything, they're going to treat it the same way they did the Sierra XR4, like an unloved stepchild while the Mustang remains their favorite child.

I don't think it would cannibalize sales at all.  FWD hot hatch versus RWD muscle car.  They don't really appeal to the same people, except in limited cases.

[Vinsanity]

oh man, I keep thinking the Focus RS is AWD. yeah I don't think the Mustang has anything to be worried about.

[Madman]

Next-gen Ford Focus to debut at Detroit show
01/08/2010, 11:17 AM
BY DREW JOHNSON

It?s no secret that Ford will soon sell a version of its European Focus here in the United States, but the Blue Oval has kept rather mum about when we might see a production version U.S.-bound car. The wait will soon be over, however, as a Ford rep has revealed the new Ford Focus will make its U.S. debut at next week?s Detroit Auto Show.

Despite its availability in the European market, the next-generation Focus remains one of Ford?s most highly anticipated vehicles. Replacing the currently Focus, the European version will be a welcome departure from the current car?s questionable interior and awkward styling.

Speaking with The Detroit News about a Congressional delegation visiting the Detroit show, Ford spokesman Mike Moran let slip that the new Focus would be in attendance. ?We are delighted that Speaker Pelosi and her leadership team are coming for a firsthand look at our newest products like our global small car the Ford Focus, a view of our electrification strategies and many more advanced technologies, ? he said.

Ford has yet to make any official announcement about the Focus at next week?s Detroit show.

In addition to the new Focus, an updated version of the Lincoln MKX crossover will also be on hand at the Detroit show.

Maybe he meant to say Fiesta?  I can easily see how Focus and Fiesta can get mixed up.


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[SVT666]

Maybe he meant to say Fiesta?  I can easily see how Focus and Fiesta can get mixed up.


Cheers,
Madman of the People

Why would he mean to say Focus?  The Fiesta is already on sale.

[S204STi]

I look forward to seeing how they do with the new Focus.  If they don't screw it up I'd like to stick my wife in one.  She misses her old car, and a hatch would be convenient with the dogs.

[Madman]

Why would he mean to say Focus?  The Fiesta is already on sale.

Really?  I thought it didn't go on sale until spring?  I haven't seen any yet.


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[ifcar]

Really?  I thought it didn't go on sale until spring?  I haven't seen any yet.


Cheers,
Madman of the People

Ford's website says summer for the U.S., but of course it's on sale already in other parts of the world.

[SVT666]

Really?  I thought it didn't go on sale until spring?  I haven't seen any yet.


Cheers,
Madman of the People

I haven't seen any in the local dealership yet, but I can build and price one on Ford.ca so I just assumed it was already on sale.

[SVT666]

I just spent a few minutes on the Fiesta site at Ford.ca and there is nothing regarding a release date, but I can build and price one.  I have no idea if it's already on sale or what.

[the Teuton]

Replacing the currently Focus, the European version will be a welcome departure from the current car?s questionable interior and awkward styling.

Points I'd like to make:

-Is the styling of the current C170 Focus awkward? Yes. Is the interior questionable? No, not really. It's quite nice for a car its size.

-Also, the C1 isn't much bigger, interior-wise, than the C170. The back seat of the Mazda3 I drove the other day felt almost identical in size to that of the Focus. They're both cramped.

-It would be odd to make the world debut for the Mk. III Focus to be Detroit, but I can see them doing that.

-I think Ifcar and Mr. Drinkwater are right: We like cheap compacts in America. I think the Mini is the lone exception because it's a boutique car with a unique nameplate. And if BMW weren't selling it, that might not even be the case. That's why the 500 will still be sold as a Fiat here, perhaps the only Fiat sold here with a Fiat badge on it.

[TBR]

Am I the only person that actually kind of likes the Focus's styling? It's like an awkward puppy.

[AutobahnSHO]

Am I the only person that actually kind of likes the Focus's styling? It's like an awkward puppy.

Awkward like, going to pee on itself?

Or awkward like, going to be a ferocious German Shepherd in a few months??

[ifcar]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/11/2011-ford-focus-unveiled-u-s-and-euro-models-finally-unite/

[the Teuton]

That's the world Focus? Will the bumpers be different?

Also, the hood cut line looks straight out of 1998 in front, via VDub.

[CJ]

I think there's too much taillight, but my god is it good looking.  I would love to have one of these.

[565]

Hmm Hemi was right, that is an all new car.

I guess Ford didn't screw us this time.  I retract my previous anger at Ford.