REPORT: Ford passes on bringing current Focus RS to America
UPDATE: Ford just wrote us to clarify that while the all-new Focus RS just introduced in Europe won't be for sale in the U.S., "Ford intends to bring some new RS' to the US (as we've already seen in the spy photos of the white car) to use as marketing assets for feedback from enthusiasts" and media.
In an interview with Jost Capito, head of Ford's global performance, it came out that – yet again – the picture of the Focus RS above is the closest Americans will get to the Blue Oval's hottest hatch. As quoted in UK's Autocar magazine, Capito's exact words are: "Sadly, no. We'd like to, but the base car isn't homologated for North America, and that's too costly a job to carry out just for a niche vehicle like the RS."
Note that this doesn't contradict what was said last time – that the next-generation RS might come to the U.S. since the coming Focus is being developed as a global platform with North American federalization in mind. So let's put this one to bed so we can all get on with our lives and cease pining for the current Focus RS, shall we? We need to turn our attention now to pining for the next Focus RS...
[Source: Autocar]
Ford Focus RS – Click above for high-res image gallery
In an interview with Jost Capito, head of Ford's global performance, it came out that – yet again – the picture of the Focus RS above is the closest Americans will get to the Blue Oval's hottest hatch. As quoted in UK's Autocar magazine, Capito's exact words are: "Sadly, no. We'd like to, but the base car isn't homologated for North America, and that's too costly a job to carry out just for a niche vehicle like the RS."
Note that this doesn't contradict what was said last time – that the next-generation RS might come to the U.S. since the coming Focus is being developed as a global platform with North American federalization in mind. So let's put this one to bed so we can all get on with our lives and cease pining for the current Focus RS, shall we? We need to turn our attention now to pining for the next Focus RS...
Gallery: Paris 2008: Ford Focus RS LIVE
[Source: Autocar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Chris 2:38PM (5/27/2009)
Keep preventing the US from getting cars like this and soon Ford will be looking for a bailout too.
What a joke!
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PJ 3:06PM (5/27/2009)
Somehow, I don't think that the hard-core enthusiasts that prefer their $30K performance cars to be FWD--both of them--will make or break Ford's finances.
tankd0g 8:15PM (5/27/2009)
Mazda seems to be doing alright despite the ugliness of their version.
Ben 7:56AM (5/28/2009)
Well, it was either a G-coupe or the FRS. Thanks for making the decision for me, Ford. =P
inteller 9:58AM (6/01/2009)
unless the car is priced equal to the Mazdaspeed 3, it will never make it in the US.
Sorry, but the MS3 dominates the US market.
ryan 2:40PM (5/27/2009)
well this just made my bad day at work worse.
so, i seem to remember reading that ford was looking for some feedback about cars like this. here's my feedback:
i am in the market for a car RIGHT NOW. i WOULD wait for this car to be released in the US, and i WOULD pay for it. however, i'm about done. i really am. i'm sick of being placed on the backburner for you. i know you won't make much, if any, money on this car. i understand the economics of it for you.
but i also think you need to understand that the economics of NOT doing this car would mean that i am not waiting for the next-gen focus, and i won't buy the current one.
so when you decide to make this car and bring it to the US, you will have already lost a customer. and that's economics you can take to your stupid accountants!
i hate posting in a bad mood.
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Paul 3:14PM (5/27/2009)
Amen Ryan.
Ford has a couple chances to hook me, but this is the biggest, and it looks like they are blowing it.
Chances of them totally farking up the next version of the RS? 100%
I am so sick of this freaking crap.
That One Person 4:55PM (5/27/2009)
Yeah cuz the RS is just gonna break Ford.
Jake 6:30PM (5/27/2009)
You act as thought Ford can just pull a big lever with a sign above is that says "North American Focus RS" and BANG!, brand new Focus RS' start coming off a conveyor belt.
As they said, it hasn't been design be sellable in the North American market. And that generally means safety and emmissions equipment and design. They can't just throw all that crap on and call it good. There is some testing, certification, tooling, etc. involved.
Their plans make sense. Design the next generation to be a world car that will support both of these markets.
ryan 8:25PM (5/27/2009)
no, i understand about the tooling, and the costs, and the economics of it all. i really do. and i understand how long it takes to bring a car to market (trust me, i work at a chrysler store).
but, then, i get all dreamy-eyed when i see pictures of them in the wild in america. i look at my pocketbook, and my tired, well loved 2003 focus that has never given me issues, and then i go back to the interwebs voraciously devouring every forum post and blog post and european review about this car (and why it's so good) like a kid in my teens waiting to get my license. i've pined for the last generation RS, screamed in glee like a kid on christmas when the new RS was uncovered, and looked over my shoulder while on my honeymoon in italy, hoping to see one (i did, in rome. at least that's my story).
and now i get bumpkis. LAME!
i'm not trying to sound like a fanboy. i'm really not. i JUST like it. i get it. i dig it. it just PISSES me off when i can't get what i want
Mark K. 8:49PM (5/27/2009)
Ryan,
if it makes you feel any better, I totally understand what you are saying.
I calculate that, by October this year, I will have $35k to buy a car - if I don't lose my job, of course. Well, as of right now, there is not a single car sold in US that I want to buy for that money. Except for spending $22k and getting a new version of the same 2006 model I currently drive - but what's really a point in doing that?
I could actually go up to $40k with some creative finance and I still don't see a single car sold here I want to own for that money.
And, by the way, for all Focus fans, you better come to terms that you will NOT see in US the pedestrian every-day Focus they sell in Europe, not even close. I hope they will try to sell for the first year a dumbed-down version of a hatchback, but that will be gone for next model year. Same as it always did - the more things change (at Ford) the more they stay the same.
GOT 6:49AM (5/28/2009)
@Ryan: Agreed! I'd buy the euro-spec Focus over a Mustang anyday. Ford has nothing more interesting than their Mustang in the US. As long as they keep all their better looking cars out of the USA, I'll spend my money elsewhere.
MikeInNC 8:44AM (5/28/2009)
If you guys are hot to spend 30k on a FWD performance car that has a similar look and probably slightly better build quality take a look at the Volvo C30 2.0. Put a chip and a CAI on the thing and be done! Very nice car. I had an S40 T5 for 4 years and it was VERY reliable and pretty freaking quick too.
J Who 2:43PM (5/27/2009)
Maybe I'm just experiencing dejavu, but I thought they made this bone-headed decision quiet a while back...
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Judy Zik 2:44PM (5/27/2009)
What a joke posting bs news. Ford has said a million times the current Focus is not coming here in any way shape or form. The next Focus is. They are already busy working on it. How exactly would it make sense to invest all the money to modify and test the current Focus to bring it over for a years worth of sales before the new one hits? This is just another pathetic post to stir up the commenters.
Cue the idiots.
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william tell 3:06PM (5/27/2009)
why was that white RS focus spotted in Detroit a few weeks ago?
Yaroukh 3:22PM (5/27/2009)
@william tell: because the car is not invisible
william tell 3:25PM (5/27/2009)
I should have said for what purpose (seeing as ford had no intention of selling it in the US) was the white RS in Detroit.
montoym 4:10PM (5/27/2009)
I read in one of my car magazines ( I think it was R&T) that the car belongs to the head of Ford's performace vehicle dept. or something to that effect. It gave his name and proper title, I'm just saying what I recall off the top of my head. If I can find the article, I'll update with the proper info.
Basically, though, he gets to pick whatever car he wants to drive and that was his choice.
010111 7:22AM (5/28/2009)
"I should have said for what purpose (seeing as ford had no intention of selling it in the US) was the white RS in Detroit."
i live in an area that does a good deal of cold weather testing... and i see cars driving around all winter that will never even vaguely be considered for sale in the US.
sort of annoying knowing you'll never be able to drive a random car you see in town... but cool you are able to see it at all i suppose.