Déjà vu all over again: Euro-infused Fords are coming, new Focus by 2011
We've known that after Mulally was appointed Grand Poo-bah of FoMoCo, one of the first items on his to-do list was to commonize the automaker's lineup in Europe and America in an effort to cut production costs. The cry from those of us in the States, deriding Ford's execs for depriving us of the automaker's European offerings has been far and wide, and according to Automotive News, the movement is underfoot. Let the breath holding begin.
The auto-industry pub cites suppliers and "industry sources" as saying that Ford will be importing the C1 platform to the U.S. in the form of the new Focus and Escape, along with the C-Max and a Lincoln crossover. Expect the new Focus and C-Max to make it to our shores by 2011, while the Escape replacement and Lincoln's crossover – likely to be inspired by the European Kuga – to come by 2012.
Even better for N.A. autoworkers, Ford plans to build these newest offerings in the Wayne, Michigan and Kansas City plant, with a possibility of also employing the Cuautitlan, Mexico line.
Although we've heard these rumblings before, and have been left with such disappointments as the '08 Focus, we're feeling a bit more confident about this latest report. The timeframe seems entirely plausible, but until it happens we'll be looking cautiously into the future.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
tbirdkatz 1:48AM (7/23/2007)
i'm glad to hear we're getting a new focus in 2011 because the 2008 is a huge disappointment. Ford will not be able to compete with the Caliber or the Versa or Yaris with it's underpowered uninspiring Focus.
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Nellydesign 8:33AM (7/23/2007)
A skateboard with a washing machine nailed to the top could compete with the Caliber. It's an AWFUL vehicle.
Don 1:58PM (7/23/2007)
Who wants a Yaris or Caliber over a Focus anyway?
Not me.
Rambo 2:12AM (7/23/2007)
I thought the new 2008 Focus was a major dissappointment when I first saw it. However, upon closer inspection (interior and prices) I have begun to reconsider.
I'm glad to hear of the new Fords it's just too bad we have to wait until 2011. By 2011 I wonder what state the FoMoCo wil be in.
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Compy386 8:14AM (7/23/2007)
Now I haven't driven the 08 Focus, but I own an 05 and it's certainly better than a Caliber and a Yaris. In fact there's only two compacts on the market today that I feel are better: Civic and Mazda 3. And both of those vehicles cost about $2,000 more than the Focus.
Amber 2:13AM (7/23/2007)
What makes you guys think we will get the great Euro products and not the Europeans getting the crap products from us? Or what makes you think the outcome wont be an amalgamation of Europe and North America?
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Jayson 2:18AM (7/23/2007)
Amber is right. Considering most of these cars are years away and in design phase currently, the melting pot idea could end up not pleasing anyone. If Mullaly came on board last year and put 100 engineers on Americanizing European cars rightaway and offering them as 2008s then that would be one thing. But a 2011 Focus could very well be similar to the current junk yet sold over in Europe as to get rid of this superiority over there crap here conundrum. I dont know, I have more of a wait and see attitude. Ford is in the gutter so I guess there is no way to go but up.
Adam500 2:23AM (7/23/2007)
Im possitive that the "melting pot" of global platforms would be more on the side of the Eurospec and Euroquality than American and here is how I got there: The Europeans have an enormous number of brands and models to choose from and the Europeans are more picky at buying than most Americans. Ford of Europe has been flat or slightly positive and Ford cant mess up Europe and take our cars over there. Therefore I really do think European styling and European engineering would actually come here.
But I would also take a wait and see attitude.
In the meantime how about giving us the New Awesome Ford Ranger you just introduced to ALL the World except USA Mr. Ford?
Simon 2:31AM (7/23/2007)
The new Ranger the guy above mentions was just introduced 2 months ago. It was probably just on paper a little more than 2 years ago. What the hell was Ford thinking in 2005? It could have made this truck conform to American standards and be here yesterday. Now I hear Ford wants to give up the whole Ranger market and shutdown St. Paul Assembly plant. What a waste. Toyota is making a killing on the Tacoma and now even more.
Ranger with the new Duratorq engine. 30mpg WOW!
http://www.worldcarfans.com/2060308.001/all-new-ford-ranger-world-debut-in-thailand
htn 2:16AM (7/23/2007)
Too little, too late. Euro spec Fords should have hit the showrooms by 2004 at the latest. Between exchange rates and upcoming products from Japanese and Korean makers Ford and GM at most can hope to hold market share.
All in all a shame.
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Rambo 4:37AM (7/23/2007)
For too many years American manufacturers have been slaves to their workers (UAW). If they can't keep them working they loose billions. They have been hesitant to step out of the volume (cheap) sales strategy. Fearing Americans may not pay a premium for top notch image driven domestic products.
I hope Ford will step up and offer the best product they can no matter what the cost (within reason). If Americans aren't able to afford a quality Ford product then why are the Europeans buying them?
I like the looks of the new Mercury Milan and Mariner but why do you need Mercury. All they do is Lessen the Lincoln name and its ability to be a premium dealer. Cancel Mercury and take Lincoln upmarket. Maybe, they should keep Jaguar and share RWD chassis development with Lincoln.
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Rambo 5:08AM (7/23/2007)
The St. Louis plant is a UNION plant. Toyota and other imports are ANTI-UNION. That means they don't believe in worker rights! That is why they build their factories in rural areas where there isn't competion for workers. Toyota is able to stay profitable building the Tacoma for this reason alone.
Ford must pick and choose which models it will invest in because they are spending $20 BILLION a year in legasy and healthcare costs! They place low profitablity models like the Ranger on a low priority basis. This allows Toyota which has billion of dollars on hand to swoop in and steal the segment.
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mdm-adph 10:08AM (7/23/2007)
"Toyota is able to stay profitable building the Tacoma for this reason alone."
Funny -- I thought Japanese companies like Toyota stayed profitable by building well-made, attractive, and efficient cars that people want to buy.
Go figure.
Simon 11:55AM (7/23/2007)
The Tacoma is made by UAW union workers in San Francisco Metropolitan area. In NUMMI plant Fremont California.
SKluck 7:01AM (7/23/2007)
How shocking, more delays to plans that should have been enacted YEARS ago. My guess is they are too cheap to bring the C1 cars over right now, and need a couple years to hack them to pieces and make them cheaper.
I knew with the "new" Focus this year we wouldn't be getting the Euro Focus in 2009 like they said.
Screw you Ford.
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Desiri 7:07AM (7/23/2007)
The dollar will be worth 0.1 Euro by then so they'll probably want to export from the US to EU as well.
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Nellydesign 8:44AM (7/23/2007)
When did they ever say Euro focus in 2009? I think you are thinking of the Fiesta. And its not a question of being cheap. Its a question of trying to sell vastly more expensive cars in the U.S. market with an unfavorable exchange rate. In Europe, Ford is almost a premium brand with a much better position with customers. Would you buy a BASE $27,000 FORD? I doubt it.
Its also a question of "hacking" them to pieces to make them conform to Canadian, let alone U.S. safety standards, because the European vehicles arent even close when it comes to those.
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Don 1:59PM (7/23/2007)
I wish people had a better understanding of the exchange rate...do you honestly think Ford could or would sell a $27,000 Focus? Use your noggin.
Jonathan Hicks 9:45AM (7/23/2007)
In the US, The C1 platform could comein form of the Ford Escort 3 or 5 door hatches, Focus sedan, coupe, and wagon, Escape and Mercury Mariner crossovers, and a Mercury version of the Focus (coupe, sedan, wagon) called the Mystique. Lincoln already annouced that it will not sell a small crossover.
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FK 10:34AM (7/23/2007)
See, I told you 2013 for the new escape (to be sold in 2012).
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