Posted on Monday 23 June 2008
As the second model developed under Ford’s new global design strategy, the next-generation Ford Focus will be manufactured all across the world for the first time. The car will be manufactured at its regular haunts in Europe and Australia by 2011, and latest reports claim two different sites in the U.S. will also produce the new car.
The new Focus will likely be built in Wayne, Michigan, and Louisville, Kentucky, industry sources have revealed to Automotive News. The North American Focus is currently manufactured at the Wayne site, while the Louisville plant is responsible for Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer SUVs.
Strong demand in the U.S. for the current model has forced Ford to boost production 30%, adding a third shift and speeding up assembly time at the Wayne site. The carmaker sees the move to smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles as permanent and plans to reduce production numbers at more of its SUV and pickup truck plant.
Ford has confirmed that both the sedan and five-door hatchback versions of the European-developed Focus will be produced in the U.S., and will likely be joined by other small-car variants such as the C-Max crossover. This latest rendering gives us a possible new look for the car, showing that its styling will likely be influenced by the new Fiesta compact.
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…
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.
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.
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.
mlevere - when you can buy a Mini for the price of a loaded Focus, call me.
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…
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??????????
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.
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!