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Ford confirms Michigan plant for new global Focus

Ford confirms Michigan plant for new global Focus

Ralph Hanson May 6th, 2009 Ralph Hanson By Ralph Hanson Author May 6th, 2009
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December 31st, 1969 As the second model developed under Ford’s new global design strategy (the first being the new Fiesta), the next-generation Ford Focus will be manufactured at Blue Oval plants at all corners of the globe. In addition to its regular haunts in Europe, the Focus will be manufactured in Australia and China and today Ford has confirmed that it will be produced in the U.S. by next year. Ford will spend around $550 million to transform its former Michigan SUV plant to produce the car, and in 2011 the site will start churning out an all-electric version. The particular plant formerly was responsible for the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs and will support more than 3,200 jobs once Focus production ramps up. Ford has confirmed that both the sedan and five-door hatchback versions of the European-developed Focus will be sold in the U.S., and there’s a strong chance that it may be joined by other small-car variants such as the C-Max crossover. This computer generated rendering gives us a possible new look for the car, showing that its styling will likely be influenced by the Fiesta compact. Engines expected for the car will rely on turbocharging for a combination of power and efficiency, with a 1.6L EcoBoost four-cylinder slated to crank out 180hp (134kW). Despite the potent output, engineers are targeting 20% better efficiency than a naturally aspirated engine of similar performance. For more details, including spy shots of what’s believed to be the first test-mules for the 2011 Focus, check out our previous story by clicking here.2011 Ford Focus rendering2011 Ford Focus spy shots
Ford’s electric Focus will arrive in 2011 and will be priced higher than the petrol model

Ford’s electric Focus will arrive in 2011 and will be priced higher than the petrol model

Enlarge Photo

As the second model developed under Ford’s new global design strategy (the first being the new Fiesta), the next-generation Ford Focus will be manufactured at Blue Oval plants at all corners of the globe. In addition to its regular haunts in Europe, the Focus will be manufactured in Australia and China and today Ford has confirmed that it will be produced in the U.S. by next year.

Ford will spend around $550 million to transform its former Michigan SUV plant to produce the car, and in 2011 the site will start churning out an all-electric version. The particular plant formerly was responsible for the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs and will support more than 3,200 jobs once Focus production ramps up.

Ford has confirmed that both the sedan and five-door hatchback versions of the European-developed Focus will be sold in the U.S., and there’s a strong chance that it may be joined by other small-car variants such as the C-Max crossover. This computer generated rendering gives us a possible new look for the car, showing that its styling will likely be influenced by the Fiesta compact.

Engines expected for the car will rely on turbocharging for a combination of power and efficiency, with a 1.6L EcoBoost four-cylinder slated to crank out 180hp (134kW). Despite the potent output, engineers are targeting 20% better efficiency than a naturally aspirated engine of similar performance.

For more details, including spy shots of what’s believed to be the first test-mules for the 2011 Focus, check out our previous story by clicking here.
2011 Ford Focus rendering
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2011 Ford Focus spy shots
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Tags: Hatchbacks, future, Michigan

Posted in: 2011, Ford, News, Focus


Comments (14 total)

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  1. By Gus #1, Posted: 6/23/2008

    Too bad BMW can't build a good looking small car like this. The equivilant 1-series looks like it just stepped out of a nail salon...

  2. By chris #2, Posted: 6/23/2008

    I'm just hoping they manage to invest a lot in the plants to make them more flexible.. while you're retooling like this, you might as well. I mean no matter what happens, that wayne plant is always going to make small cars.. just like dearborn is always going to make trucks.. but when you start having multiple plants making the same car.... those additional plants really need to be flex infrastructure. and there's no better time than now... when you're going to do major retooling anyways.

  3. By mlevere1992 #3, Posted: 6/24/2008

    Gus,
    BMW does make a car like this, it is called the Mini. BMW wouldn't build a direct competitor to this car with a BMW badge on it.

  4. By chris #4, Posted: 6/24/2008

    mlevere.. I think you'll find that size wise, the 3 series is about the size of the focus. technically speaking... the 1 series is a sub compact..... a fiesta of sorts.

    ...of course you could never tell from the curb weight... being RWD and BWM... even the 1 series is built like a tank.

  5. By Gus #5, Posted: 6/24/2008

    mlevere - when you can buy a Mini for the price of a loaded Focus, call me.

  6. By Gus #6, Posted: 6/24/2008

    And besides, you made my point, the Mini is an even bigger car for poofs than the 1-series...

    Just make sure you aren't playing "YMCA" with too much gel in your hair when you drive one...

  7. By Dane #7, Posted: 6/24/2008

    mlevere1992-

    Actually the BMW 1 does compete with this car and the Golf in Europe... BMW decided not to put a regular 4 cylinder in our cars for some stupid reason.... The MIni is it's own deal... Competes with nothing on the market.... YET.... then Alfa will put it in it's place with the MiTo... Then if Ford is smart, the will make the Fiesta ST available for us..... I guess that is why the Fiesta has such a nice looking rear end.... Cause' that is what the competition will see.....

    To Ford-
    I hope you send over the RS version.... The timing will be perfect, available 2010 in Europe... and we could get one the same time... Maybe??? Please???? Blue in color???? Please???? Price it at 27K....

    Do this and Japan will fall and Korea will cry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    To All-
    Have you driven a (Euro) Ford Lately??????????

  8. By chris #8, Posted: 6/24/2008

    dane, I drive a 10 year old euro ford. it was made this year. and i've driven a speed3 which is better than the ST focus.

    but i definitely agree.. spy shots have confirmed mazdas working on a speed2... we need an SVT (ST) fiesta counterpart. it's been too long since ford has had a car for suicidal yet broke teens to kill themselves in.

  9. By RB #9, Posted: 6/25/2008

    Mini and BMW 1 - both for people who are obsessed with a badge and the whole image of it all and don't care about being practical - (have you ever tried sitting in the back of either!! What is the point of both vehicles other than the image the respective marketing departments sell to the consumer (thats what is gutting about the mini verses the original Mini - as that was about practicality and affordability)

    Focus, Astra etc etc - for people who like value and practicality - but maybe on the edge towards being boring.

    On everyday roads driven by everyday people both types still get you from A to B safely! - its all back to image - if it has the 'right badge' people will quite happily pay over the odds for it!

  10. ma_NoNameDenton avatar by NoNameDenton #10, Posted: 5/6/2009

    Way to go Ford, best of the Detroit Big 3

  11. ma_Laz avatar by Laz #11, Posted: 5/6/2009

    Even if they break-even on this, the PR alone will sell other products that make them money...

  12. ma_melboy avatar by melboy #12, Posted: 5/7/2009

    "...Ford has confirmed that both the sedan and five-door hatchback versions of the European-developed Focus will be sold in the U.S"

    Excellent. This really looks nice BUT, back in 2003 I left my 2003 Euro-Focus to go work in the States. Thought about getting a similar-looking US-Focus BUT, shock horror:

    1) Seats on US version were small, cheap and horrid
    2) Plastics on dash were really cheap feeling and downmarket.
    3) Interior looked more Walmart than Nieman Marcus
    4) Minor external design features - eg lights in grill - really ruined the design for me... made it look like Cinderella's uglier sister

    that I did not buy one...

    Hope if they make this next model the same as the Euro model, that it is EXACTLY the same! (unlike the Focus mark 1)

  13. ma_NaBUru38 avatar by NaBUru38 #13, Posted: 5/9/2009

    The North American Ford range needs two sub-Edge crossovers. The current C-Max is too old, boxy and boring, and the second-gen might not fit their tastes either. The Kuga won't work because rear space and boot are tight. A slightly extended version might work to replace the squarish Escape. But there's chance of an American Bold-styled compact SUV with the same base.

    The second crossover is the next-gen EcoSport, which is a subcompact currently under develop in Brazil. It'll be based on the current Fiesta's platform and will be released in South America in 2010 or 2011. If it really wants to face the Scions, the Soul and the SX4 north of the Bravo river, it will need decent-quality interiors instead of current-gen's painfully cheap plastic (sub-Chrysler, believe me).

  14. ma_NaturalD avatar by NaturalD #14, Posted: 6/23/2009

    @ NaBUru38, you did ever see a real european C-max?
    if defenitly has a sporty look for a mpv.

    i'm european and i don't like mpv's, but the c-max interior is quite cool, sony car radio, slick finish dasboard.
    you can see it's real good counter part to a golf+. nice tail light on the newest model with led's call for attention.

    i have read that u.s. people like the s-max.
    the s-max has a pretty race car design in a mpv package.

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