Recent Comments:
Detroit automakers still grapple with perception gap {Autoblog}
Sep 18th 2007 2:09PM @ Peter
First off, the Escort ZX2 and the Focus ZX3 are NOTHING alike!!! Sure the Focus was built to replace the Escort, but the Focus was in pre-production for over a decade before it went into manufacturing. There was nothing like it at the time.
#1) The escort was a lighter car, with a mazda transmission. It used ford's split-port engine (SOHC 4 cy)
The Focus originally had the Zetec engine (DOHC) which was their european engine at the time. A lot more powerful, but then again the focus was a much heaver car.
#2) The escort was a POS. That car was built by management and you never see many left on the road.
The focus was designed and engineered during Ford's heyday when they were rolling in the money from the Explorer sales. Also, I see tons of focuses on the highway, old and new.
Unfortunately, the focus is ford's "entry level" car here and that leaves little room for taking the car beyond boring. It was fun while it lasted, but ah well, on to the next big thing.
Frankfurt 2007: European Ford Focus goes Kinetic {Autoblog}
Sep 11th 2007 5:37PM Hmmmm.... this car looks less distinct and more like a mix between a Volvo S40 and an Audi A3.
Certainly the german cars are all adopting this new double-clutch, so the focus will need that to stay competitive.
I must say though, this car is definitely worlds nicer looking than the US version coming out next month.
Frankfurt Preview: Volvo C30 Efficiency {Autoblog}
Aug 20th 2007 12:41PM 2008 US Ford Focus anyone? I seem to remember hearing ford's engineers spending gobs of energy making the 08 focus more fuel efficient.
Ford Australia plans production of third model {Autoblog}
Jul 14th 2007 5:29PM @Ruby007
I hate that argument. Worst one to make. How is it that I see mazda3s and Volvo S40s ALL over the roads??? I mean, even more to the point that Mazda has been able to sell well over a million Mazda3s.
It's absolutely FUD to suggest ford's european designs won't sell here. I mean, 90% of the complaints ford has at hte moment is that their cars are bland here. Need I say more?
First Ford Mondeo rolls off the line {Autoblog}
Mar 27th 2007 5:51PM Well at least we get the mustang that the rest of the world envies us for ;-)
The Mondeo is a positive step in the right direction for family sedans, but I'm not sure ford wants to sacrifice the fusion and all the research and development that went into that car. Certainly the fusion's platform mate the Mazda 6, would be lonely without it.
You want a euro-family sedan? Just get the new S80 volvo the mondeo was based off of.
Detroit Auto Show: 2008 Ford Focus {Autoblog}
Jan 7th 2007 3:03PM yeah i see exactly what ford is trying to do. Everyone is bitching this isn't the Ford Focus ST they sell everyone else except the USA. But Ford needs a low emissions vehicle to make the feds happy. They also need an entry level car. Everywhere else in the world, ford can use diesel and even smaller shrimpy cars that would be illegal to even drive on the highways here in the states.
This focus will sell here in the states, probably the car your girlfriend will buy, but it looks way better than the 07 focus in my opinion.
Video of Lincoln MKR Concept joins embargoed material on the web {Autoblog}
Dec 26th 2006 8:24PM hmmm... looks like the design is influenced by last years Reflex concept.
Ford of Europe spared the Way Forward {Autoblog}
Sep 14th 2006 10:03PM For the top black Focus ST, I was fed up with seeing how cool this car was online and went to my local dealership. I was surprised to hear that I could custom order one and have it shipped over here. Of course I would have to sign an import title waiver that basically says it's not ford's fault the car doesn't meet US emissions regulations. I would also have to deal with parts taking twice as long to arrive since they will all have to be shipped from europe.
I live in Maryland and checked with the MVA, basically i'll have to get the car inspected before they will give me a title.
So there you have it! Anything is possible :-).
