Click above for a gallery of the 2008 Ford Focus ST.
During the SAE World Congress in Detroit, Ford's product chief, Derrick Kuzak, told attendees that the next generation Focus will benefit from the joint efforts of FoMoCo's engineers here in the U.S. and abroad. The redesigned Focus is set to debut sometime in 2010 or 2011 and will be built off the C1 platform that underpins the current Euro Focus. According to Kuzak, 87-percent of the parts will be sourced from Ford's global parts bin in a move to cut costs and globalize Ford's engineering process. While we've heard this numerous times before, this is the first time a definitive timeline has been outlined for the official entry of the superior C1 platform to the U.S. market. Here's hoping that Ford sees the light and we finally get ST and RS variants of the Focus here in the States.
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[Source: Autoweek]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Ben @ Apr 14th 2008 4:10PM
A bit..LATE.
I've graduated to another brand, thank you. The Ford Focus will not be on my list.
Though please do tempt me with the RS. ;)
Noah @ Apr 14th 2008 4:55PM
Wait...so the next focus which will be on par with all the other compacts out there, you won't consider b/c in your mind you've moved on? You sound like a hurt lover, no offense.
Its just a car. If its just as good as a Civic or Mazda (natch), I'd consider it. No hurt feelings here.
Ben @ Apr 14th 2008 6:22PM
If they actually gave us the RS version when we asked for it, maybe we wouldn't complain.
And if they've actually given us the Euro-spec ST when we asked for it, another reason to not complain.
Instead, they give us this god-awful redesign that no-one likes, so those of us who have the first gen Focuses hold onto them because all subsequent redesigns have been looking like they're trying to revive the Escort.
Now that Ford decides to go Euro-spec, most of us have grown up and gone on to different vehicles with much more excitement.
Complaining? Of course! But at least I air my grievance and move on...along with an explanation.
Randy @ Apr 15th 2008 9:34AM
Put it back on your list! Ford listened after everyone bitched and they're doing what we want now. Car companies are not Starbucks! You can't pull up and say "I'd like a Venti Low-Fat Caramel Macchiato Euro Focus and have it in 2 minutes. It's a freaking car! It takes just a little bit longer to brew!
Larico Brown @ Apr 15th 2008 10:56AM
Better late than never. Ass hole.
Ben @ Apr 16th 2008 3:23PM
Larico Brown- Thank you for your childish e-thuggery. It made me laugh.
Randy- Read my original post. I said please tempt me with the RS. Anything less would be rather dull for me at this point. I've outgrown my SVT both physically and in driving ability.
This car has been around long enough for them to make up their minds sooner, save themselves some overhead by manufacturing one car instead of two, and bring it here. Besides, I don't like coffee, or Star*ucks for that matter. ;-)
Andrew L @ Apr 14th 2008 4:12PM
about fu***n time
Bilbo Baggins @ Apr 14th 2008 5:43PM
I swear. WTF?! NOW THE BRING IT TO US?! Were they sleeping for so longg??! Not only did it cost them twice the money to make two cars, they kept us frustrated. I'm done man. I dont care about the focus now. I've graduated too ...just like the first commenter! Now its either RWD or AWD!
DomManganelli @ Apr 14th 2008 6:54PM
amen to that... i see a bright future for the blue oval
mk @ Apr 14th 2008 4:12PM
Haven't we heard this before, yet Ford still sells that toolbox of a Focus... new faces on the same old stuff.
I hope they are right this time, but not holding my breath, not that I give a flyin leap about the Focus anyway.
I do kinda hope Ford doesn't sink entirely, though. and they need to do this right.
zamafir @ Apr 14th 2008 4:19PM
So we just jumped like what, 30 platforms?
Seoultrain @ Apr 14th 2008 5:08PM
I think you missed a zero. typo forgiven.
Pete @ Apr 14th 2008 4:21PM
The flubbed the contour/mondeo...flubbed the US/Euro Focus...why do they think they can get it right this time around?
hoosker_doo @ Apr 14th 2008 4:21PM
Praise Jeebus!
Jason @ Apr 14th 2008 4:26PM
I love how our Focus sucks, and the Euro one rocks... so everyone bitches.
Now they're bringing this one... and everyone bitches.
It'd suck to be a car company.
Mel. R @ Apr 14th 2008 4:34PM
Some people just aren't happy unless they've got something to bitch about. Even if they get their way, they still have to bitch.
Mind you, I do agree that Ford should have done this sooner. Who knows? Perhaps if they had brought the Euro Focus over sooner, they'd be less in the hole financially than they are now.
JD @ Apr 14th 2008 5:18PM
I think it has more to do with the fact that we've heard this before from Ford.
KA @ Apr 14th 2008 11:24PM
Well, also, you'll always hear people bitch. On the other hand, people don't usually get worked up enough to praise a decision.
I, for example, think this is fantastic. I think it will sell well, too. Just remember that this is the Internet -- these comments don't really mean anything in any real terms. We'll wait for the sales numbers to speak.
tanooki2003 @ Apr 14th 2008 4:26PM
Sorry Ford. You are a day late and a dollar short.
I have moved onto the Hyundai Genesis Coupe.
The Other Bob @ Apr 15th 2008 9:50AM
Becaase so many people will Cross Shop a car in the Focas segment and rwd coupe?