Filed under: Japan, Hatchbacks, Ford
10-unit Focus ST White Edition for Japan
Specialized, market-specific limited edition color and trim packages are popular in Japan, and Ford has just announced a very exclusive new addition to that segment: the Focus ST White.
Limited to 10 units, the Focus ST White (Japan's traditional racing color) can only be reserved on the web beginning August 1, 2006. If more than ten potential customers register (bet on it), names will be drawn to see who gets to pony up ¥3,200,000 ($27,000 USD) for one of the cars.
Mechanically, nothing differentiates it from any other Focus ST. It's still powered by the 2.5L turbocharged 5 cylinder and makes 225 horsepower.
Until recently, the ST had been available in Japan in just two colors: Electric Orange and Performance Blue. On July 13th, dealers in the country began sale of the Focus and Fiesta ST Black editions. All of these pale compared to the ST White, though. In it, Ford of Japan has achieved something quite remarkable: they have taken a standard issue car in a color that is readily available in other markets and made it into one of the most exotic vehicles to be found in Japan. Amazing.
If the Japanese car culture is as advanced and knowledgable as it seems, the White STs will turn heads wherever they go. You may find this color package underwhelming, but in Japan, these cars will be scarcer than the new Cornes Ferrari.
(More photos after the jump)
[Source: Ford Japan (translated)]
Focus ST White:
The Other New Japanese STs:
Focus ST Black:
Fiesta ST Black
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sgt. Hulka 3:42PM (7/26/2006)
And the reason they don't sell it here is.....?
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shadysi 3:54PM (7/26/2006)
did they just compare a ford to a ferrari......
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Jay 3:55PM (7/26/2006)
Absolutely incomprehensible why every other landmass on this rock seems to get the newer Focus and North America doesn't. I'm looking to buy a small car soon, and if they sold the Euro Focus here, it'd be at the top of my list. But Ford isn't even on my radar right now.
Oh well...if that's what they want....
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Adrian D 3:58PM (7/26/2006)
Just one question: what is stopping someone in Japan from buying a new Focus ST and painting in white? One good bodyshop could produce 100 of these "limited editions" before the first person takes delivery.
just a thought...
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tugboat 4:08PM (7/26/2006)
The reason why the Japanese have such a hold on the small car market in the US is because there are no domestics to compete for it. I'm pretty confident that if Ford brought the Euro Focus and Fiesta over they would take a significant chunk of market share away from Honda/Toyota/VW. It's just like XBOX, the US gets all of the plain versions, while Japan gets all of the special editions, and nobody in Japan likes XBOX anyways. I just don't understand American companies, they outsource all their good products, and keep their most boring products here. I think more people would by american if they would just keep their good ideas at home.
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Ryan 4:12PM (7/26/2006)
"3. Absolutely incomprehensible why every other landmass on this rock seems to get the newer Focus and North America doesn't. I'm looking to buy a small car soon, and if they sold the Euro Focus here, it'd be at the top of my list. But Ford isn't even on my radar right now.
Oh well...if that's what they want....
Posted at 3:55PM on Jul 26th 2006 by Jay 0 stars"
-Well duh, the reason why they will not bring the Euro Focus here is so freaking obvious due to the simple fact that you know, and stuff, in conclusion it makes perfect sense. DUH...
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lavardera 4:15PM (7/26/2006)
Japan has the current Focus too? Here is an idea - why not do a limited edition EuroFocus here - even 100, paint them any color you want.
At least bring the smaller Fiesta in.
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Tim UF 4:21PM (7/26/2006)
Yea... this car is in Japan, in australia, its called the FOcus XR5 (along with a ZETEC Fiesta), and europe. we've shown we like 'eurostyle' vehicles here, look at the Acura TSX (which is literally just an accord in europe).
the reason they wont bring it here, i guess, is that 'euro' isn't 'bold'. But a two bar chrome grille is. Lets sprinkle some tabasco on the ST/XR5... thatll bolden it up enough to get it here, right?
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Drewboy 4:27PM (7/26/2006)
It really burns me up that they don't offer something like that here. The domestic Focus ST is a sedan powered by a 150hp four. Forget it. I'd rather have a Civic SI. Or maybe a Mazda 3. I bought my wife a 2003 Focus and its nice, but in no way sporting. I'd like to be loyal to the brand but they give me no reason to stick with them.
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fizzandpop 4:35PM (7/26/2006)
Note to Japanese people: Go to England and buy one, the steering wheel will even be on the right side.
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Brian 4:56PM (7/26/2006)
It would be stupid to do a limited-edition run of 100 Euro Focus STs here in the states. Unless they cost $75,000 each, that is.
It costs a lot of money to certify a car to be sold in the US. It is a lot cheaper to do the same in the rest of the world.
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SKluck 5:00PM (7/26/2006)
As much as I want this car (2009 hurry the hell up!), do you REALLY want to spend 20k-25k on a Focus? That is what the rest of the world pays for this car.
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Aki 5:18PM (7/26/2006)
"As much as I want this car (2009 hurry the hell up!), do you REALLY want to spend 20k-25k on a Focus? That is what the rest of the world pays for this car."
Actually cars in general are more expensive overseas due to taxes, especially the UK.
I scratch my head how the new Focus isn't available here. Funny how US Focus sales are languishing, wonder if that's just a coincidence.
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Jay 5:22PM (7/26/2006)
>I scratch my head how the new Focus isn't available
>here. Funny how US Focus sales are languishing,
>wonder if that's just a coincidence.
Kinda hard to convince people to pony up the dough for a new car that will take an instant depreciation hit when the used car market is full of Focuses from the last 8 years that are all pretty much identical to the new one being sold now.
Not bringing the Euro Focus over must be one of those bold moves I've hearing so much about.
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ocnj179 5:29PM (7/26/2006)
Just a thought but I'm thinking the reason why America isn't getting the euro Focus is because the majority of Americans have no idea of this superior european version.
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ford_doesn't_understand 5:42PM (7/26/2006)
Ford of America keeps building the same ugly last-gen Focus and "updates" it with new lights and a grille. Meanwhile, Saturn will have the current and totally awesome Opel Astra on their lots by next year. When the next Astra comes, they'll get that one too.
Ford doesn't want an semi-expensive compact in it's main lineup? Give it to Mercury. That brand needs it more then anything!!
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mark 5:45PM (7/26/2006)
to #15 ocnj179..
so you're saying that if the american public "demanded" that euro version Ford would just give in to public demand?
And what? losing market share from all those american consumers buying toyota/honda/nissan etc, isn't enough of a wake up call? Let Ford go out of business, they have earned it! Giving us warmed over old designs, putting a new grille on it? We won't miss Ford if they do go under.. They don't listen to what the marketplace wants.. what good are they?
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admiral ackbar 5:55PM (7/26/2006)
Well, we will get the Volvo C30, which is in many ways the same car. We don't get the new model focus because it is a much nicer and larger car than the old. Ford has no slot in the line up for such a car. The new Focus that America is getting will be garbage. Want to know how I know? Because it was made by Ford of America and they haven't made anything worth buying since the original Mustang. The current model Focus has had a truck load of recalls, in America that is. Everything that the Ford of America engineers chnaged about the Focus when they brough it here has been recalled. Fuel pumps, garbage brakes that squeak from day one, and more. Stay safe, buy cars from another company, support the global economy.
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ocnj179 6:22PM (7/26/2006)
to #17.. What I'm saying is Ford can still keep selling on this current platform in America because well it still sells. There's no reason for them use the C1 focus here if the sells wont significantly change.
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SKluck 7:18PM (7/26/2006)
#13 I thought cars in europe were just more expensive too, but the Mazda 3 is the exact same price in the US or UK, go figure.
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