Ford cranks up Focus production to meet C4C demand
2009 Ford Focus SES Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery
Further proof that Cash for Clunkers is fueling sales of small cars comes today by way of Ford. The Blue Oval is reportedly cranking up production of the Focus compact in order to satisfy demand. Shortly after the government's scrappage plan was launched, news came that the Ford Focus was the top-selling nameplate on Cash for Clunkers trade-ins, though it was subsequently replaced by the Toyota Corolla and Ford's own Escape.
No matter what vehicle is benefiting the most from C4C, we're sure the hard hit auto workers at the Wayne Assembly plant will appreciate the overtime, which will run from now through the end of September and will result in an additional 6,400 Focuses rolling down the line. For those interested in the numbers, Ford reported a 44-percent increase in Focus sales in July over the previous month.
Gallery: Review: 2009 Ford Focus SES Coupe
Photos Copyright ©2008 John Neff / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
senseition 10:04AM (8/13/2009)
What a fugly US spec Focus :/
Reply
Luis 10:10AM (8/13/2009)
Amen - it's a nasty little bugger.
Someone in my new apt building has one of the green Fiesta's as part of the current promo, it's pretty sweet looking. Can't wait to see more of them around.
inteller 10:15AM (8/13/2009)
if people are buying this monstrocity then it should be called the Clunker4Clunker program.
The C170 platform is antiquated. Ford NA is notorious for milking programs and this is obviously turned into a cash cow for them....meanwhile loyal enthusiasts have turned to C1 cars.
The Mk III Focus can't get here soon enough.
nardvark 10:37AM (8/13/2009)
Antiquated? Let's see...
IIHS Top Safety Pick.
Good fuel economy (35 highway, not best in class, but close enough) with solid performance (2.0 liter vs. 1.8liter in many competitors)
Best handling in its class
Tech features the competition doesn't have.
Above average reliability.
So you may not like that it's based on a ten year old platform, and you may not like the styling, but objectively, there's nothing wrong with the car. Which is why they are selling.
C.W. 10:40AM (8/13/2009)
these repetitive, whiney, predictable comments are so effing annoying.
we all know the euro focus is better, blah blah. but guess what?! you dont get it until next year! so shut it already! deal with the fact that as much as you may hate this car, it is selling like MAD and they cant build enough of them!
some people will find a negative story in ANY piece of positive news.
jb 10:59AM (8/13/2009)
I have a 2007 Focus (pre-facelift), and yeah the interior is sub-par (to say the least). But the driving IS fun, with an economical yet peppy 2.0L. This car is not bad at all, especially for the 12.5K I paid for it.
Bloke 11:58AM (8/13/2009)
"The C170 platform is antiquated."
It isn't as advanced as the newer C1, but even so, the C170 remains retains excellent chassis dynamics even by today's standards.
Judy Zik 12:00PM (8/13/2009)
She ain't pretty she just drives that way. Just because it isn't the eurospec Focus it is still an awesome car compared to what is out there for this price. Especially when you consider the features available with it (Sync, etc). I personally don't mind the looks. It offers good value for the money which is obviously why it is selling.
What I really want to know is what are the MOST TRADED clunker trade in's. What vehicles are people handing in for $4,500. I also can't wait to hear the stories about the most exotic vehicles that got traded in.
artandcolour 10:10AM (8/13/2009)
forget all the politics of the program, it's a very good thing that so many people are now able to drive an up-to-date car like the Focus. new cars are so much more reliable now, the mileage is vastly improved in real life, and look at all the safety features that come with today's cars, too. Reliability, economy and safety are never bad things to add to our lives on the road. although it's always good to see a restored Plymouth K-car now and then...
Reply
Luis 10:11AM (8/13/2009)
I'd hardly call this thing up-to-date. Massaging a 10 year old design and throwing in Sync does not make it up-to-date.
John 10:17AM (8/13/2009)
It's certainly up to date if you're trading in a 1987 Caprice for it!
Luis 10:18AM (8/13/2009)
@John so is a 1999 Explorer.
Chibi Chaingun - blackhivemedia.com 10:35AM (8/13/2009)
Problem is its not a question of being up-to-date for your average American commuter, it's just not the badass hot-hatch like we all want (and what it used to be). :)
ehisforadam 10:58AM (8/13/2009)
It is more or less up to date...it's not like they haven't made changes to the engines, transmissions and other parts since the Focus was first made. It's not like a lot of the stuff on cars is that much different compared to 10 years ago, it's just "massaged."
Jim 11:22AM (8/13/2009)
"Massaging a 10 year old design and throwing in Sync does not make it up-to-date."
Luis, please go educate yourself on what "platform" actually means. A "platform" is a set of critical dimensions defining thinks like suspension hard points as well as the tooling used to assemble the structure. A "platform" is NOT a set of parts. Just because the current Focus platform is still called C170 doesn't make it a "10 year old car." The Five Hundred/'08 Taurus was "D258," and the new 2010 is still called "D258" even though it's a significantly different car.
By your logic, the Honda Accord is a 25 year old car.
inteller 10:18AM (8/13/2009)
if this is what you call massaging then the masseuse must be a sadomasochist.
Reply
Dave 10:21AM (8/13/2009)
Its those 80's escort owners trading in their clunker for a car that looks just like it.
Reply
mr.ed 10:39AM (8/13/2009)
The earlier small cars don't qualify because their mileage is too high. The F-150 and Explorers are the big Ford trades.
skicat 10:43AM (8/13/2009)
All u twits that are putting down this car have never driven, owned or even sat in one. Yr a bunch of know-nothings posing as know-it-alls, respouting drivel you've read posted by someone else. I'm not sure half u guys are even old enough to drive.
Reply
Luis 10:49AM (8/13/2009)
I have been in one, and it was a POS.