[biker16]

Automotive news
Ford Focus

The Focus will be re-engineered and freshened for the 2005 model year. A performance sedan will be offered. A new interior is part of the plan.

Beyond that, Ford is debating what to do for the next-generation Focus. A redesign could happen for the 2008 model year with the North American Focus moving to the C1 platform shared with the new 2004 Mazda3 and the redesigned Volvo S40 sedan and S50 wagon. The European Focus will move to that platform for the 2005 model year.

But Ford also is contemplating putting the next-generation North American Focus on a separate platform, splitting it from the European Focus.

 

[blueovalbaboon]

bah, i'll say it in both threads. Bill, you're a [censored] idiot. Isn't the focus the marque's best selling car (not truck)?

There's like what? 13000 of us? YOu think between a petition of all of us, and all of focusfanatics, we might make a friggin DENT in ford's resolve to break it off inside us?

 

[01S2]

No doubt, they don't seem to give a crap but then what car company does. Remember when the Impala SS went from a V-8 RWD to that ugly V-6 FWD, WTF?

 

[CTZX3]

But Ford also is contemplating putting the next-generation North American Focus on a separate platform, splitting it from the European Focus.

Great

so we are back to having an Escort

 

[focusZEKE]

Well, it looks like a Mazda3 or Volvo S40 for me.

 

[focaljet-1]

One small correction, the Volvo wagon will be called the V50 not the S50.

 

[focalBlur]

Ford did this before and look what happend.

the contour was too far off from it's europena Mondeo and it's gone now from the USA


the only reasion i bought a focus in the first place was b/c of how close it was too the european model, which is a great.

That is why Ford kept the cars as close as can be in the first place. If they make this switch they might as well just back out of the small car market all together. I already planned to buy a next gen focus, but now if they dont keep it close to the european model like the current I will take my money elsewhere.

and 2008, they plan to keep the current car untill 2008, thats 7 years and no SVT after 2005, Ford you are killing yourself

 

[FociD00d02]

wel folks, the important thing to remember, is that all good things pass with time, so we had a great run with our european-like zx3s and svts (not saying it's over), there will be something even better to take it's place

 

[SilverSVT]

Ford did this before and look what happend.

the contour was too far off from it's europena Mondeo and it's gone now from the USA

You have it all wrong with the Mondeo...the rear seat is too small for the US and the pricing killed it when they where making the Escort and Taraus and the car never sold. It was nice car (loved the SVT Contour), but not quite what american buyers where looking for. When The Focus came out it had the same interior room or more and was cheaper...so the Contour was killed.

and 2008, they plan to keep the current car untill 2008, thats 7 years and no SVT after 2005, Ford you are killing yourself

Hey newer always doesnt mean better, but I dont see any problems keeping the current platform around for 7 years. As for the SVT....I really doubt that it will be gone totally for the rest of the life of the car...I can see it taking a year break while they get a new engine ready for it.

 

[Blue02ZX5]

The imports don't totally redesign every single part with each "new generation". But, the next US Focus should use the C1, no cheapo platforms

Since American new car buyers demand huge rebates and expect compact cars to cost only $13K, how can they reinvent the car after 5 years and make money?

 

[biker16]

The imports don't totally redesign every single part with each "new generation". But, the next US Focus should use the C1, no cheapo platforms

Since American new car buyers demand huge rebates and expect compact cars to cost only $13K, how can they reinvent the car after 5 years and make money?

The C1 is an improved Focus platform. there are alot of carryover parts to C1. when the @005 fcous arrives it will nomlonger share as amny sharable component wiht either the Euro Focus or Mazda3, S40 or V50. The Economies of scale will loss which is the whole point of "World Cars".

 

[LowZX3on17s]

No doubt, they don't seem to give a crap but then what car company does. Remember when the Impala SS went from a V-8 RWD to that ugly V-6 FWD, WTF?

omg do i agree with that. dont know what chevy was thinking.

 

[blueovalbaboon]

and then they play 409 by the beach boys in the new impala ad. yes, that makes ton of sense. since the new impala is obviously a bigblock rear wheel drive car.

 

[MINDGAME]

The Focus will be re-engineered and freshened for the 2005 model year. A performance sedan will be offered. A new interior is part of the plan.

Does this mean that the next SVT will 1) Not be until MY05, meaning at best a mid-04 launch, but more likely late-04 and 2) It will be a sedan instead of a three door hatch?

If so, that is very disappointing. I was really hoping that there would be an SVT version of the 2.3l offered in the hatch body-style soon. I mean with all the other manufacturers embracing the 4 banger modded niche', I was really thinking Ford would come out with something special early next year. If not, it's a Mini Cooper S for me...

 

[focalBlur]

The imports don't totally redesign every single part with each "new generation". But, the next US Focus should use the C1, no cheapo platforms

Since American new car buyers demand huge rebates and expect compact cars to cost only $13K, how can they reinvent the car after 5 years and make money?

The C1 is an improved Focus platform. there are alot of carryover parts to C1. when the @005 fcous arrives it will nomlonger share as amny sharable component wiht either the Euro Focus or Mazda3, S40 or V50. The Economies of scale will loss which is the whole point of "World Cars".

I don't understand why Ford would want another platform, seems to me it would be better to share the platform then too make a new one for a single car. why not use the one already developed and tested. But I still think 2008 is rather late, thats 4 years after the launch of the new platform. But I suppose we shall see, Ford should not forget that the focus is/has been C&D's 10 best for 4 years now.

 

[SilverSVT]

The Focus will be re-engineered and freshened for the 2005 model year. A performance sedan will be offered. A new interior is part of the plan.

Does this mean that the next SVT will 1) Not be until MY05, meaning at best a mid-04 launch, but more likely late-04 and 2) It will be a sedan instead of a three door hatch?

If so, that is very disappointing. I was really hoping that there would be an SVT version of the 2.3l offered in the hatch body-style soon. I mean with all the other manufacturers embracing the 4 banger modded niche', I was really thinking Ford would come out with something special early next year. If not, it's a Mini Cooper S for me...

Well theres alot of rumors going around right now. The only thing confermed right now is that Focus is getting all new engines next spring. The other rumor is the SVT will go bye bye at the same time and hopefully come back a year later with a new engine, much like what happened with the Cobra and Lighting in the past. Also all Focus production will consoldate at the Wanye plant, thus making a "performance Sedan" based off the SVT alot easier, but HOPEFULLY will also include the ZX3/5 hatchback.

 

[SilverSVT]

The C1 is an improved Focus platform. there are alot of carryover parts to C1. when the 2005 fcous arrives it will nomlonger share as amny sharable component wiht either the Euro Focus or Mazda3, S40 or V50. The Economies of scale will loss which is the whole point of "World Cars".

But also it will not need any new tooling done to it and the current tooling is paid for since the car has been in production for so long, thus the vechicle is sold as a pure profit. Much like the current Ranger or Crown Vic. Ford still makes money...if not more since it will be simpler to put together.

 

[TwlBlueZx3]

I myself bought the focus because i saw how well it did overseas, and was excited when they brought it over here like many others. You would think that ford would maybee learn a thing or two from the japanesse manufactuers and try and "perfect their current platform,and take that technology as far as it can be massaged out." just spend some R&D for perfection which would go hand in hand with quaility! once the focus is around longer, and people get more familar with refined features, it will become evident to many it is a reputable car, and worth more respect despite its hard launch. Honda made cars that where carb'ed until like 1989 i believe, and now have gas powered weed wackers that work upside down! good for a carb'ed engine I think... example of what ford can do with some refinement!

 

[focalBlur]

If this does turn out to be true at least we will have the Mazda3(comming this fall?) and new volvos on the C1 platform, cars that might prove to be better anyway seeing as Ford does not seem to care about quality in it's home market Ford brand

 

[Blue02ZX5]

"The Economies of scale will loss which is the whole point of "World Cars". "

It's been proven that "one size does not fit all". Toyota doesn't make one Camry for the whole world, same with Honda.

The "gee whiz World car" was an experiment that hasn't worked.

Expecting a brand new Focus every 5 years is a pipe dream.