| Ford Focus | |
|---|---|
 2018 Ford Focus ST-Line X | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford |
| Production | 1998–2025[1] |
| Model years | 2000–2019 (North America) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Small family car/Compact car (C) |
| Body style |
|
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive (Mk 3 RS Only) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ford Escort (Europe, North America andArgentina) Ford Laser (Asia and Oceania) |
TheFord Focus is acompact car (C-segment in Europe) manufactured by theFord Motor Company from 1998 until 2025. It was created underAlexander Trotman's Ford 2000 plan, which aimed to globalize model development and sell one compactvehicle worldwide. The original Focus was primarily designed byFord of Europe's German and British teams.[2] Production of the fourth generation Focus began in 2018 in Germany and China. In 2025, Ford announced that the Focus will no longer be built,[3] in line with an announcement made in 2022.
The decision to name the new car the "Ford Focus" was made in early 1998, as Ford's senior management had been planning to keep the "Escort" nameplate for its new generation of small family cars. A last-minute problem arose in July 1998 when aCologne court, responding to a case brought by the publisherBurda, ordered Ford to avoid the name "Focus" for the cars in the German market since the name was already taken by one of itsmagazines.[4] This eleventh-hour dispute was resolved, however, and the car was launched with the nameFocus.
Ford of Europe introduced the Focus in 1998 to the European market as a replacement for theFord Escort. The Focus Mk 1 was awarded the 1999European Car of the Year award.[5] The project manager for the Ford Focus at Dunton wasRose Mary Farenden.
Ford of North America began marketing the Focus in September 1999 for the 2000 model year, with some changes from the European version. The car was launched as a three-doorhatchback, four-doorsedan, and five-doorwagon; a five-door hatchback debuted in 2001.[6]
In 2002, Ford launched its highest performance version of the Focus, called the Focus RS. It came with a 2.0-litre turbochargedDuratec RS engine, a Quaife ATBlimited-slip differential, an AP Racing clutch, and a revolutionary design front suspension strut system called "Revo-knuckle"- as marketed by Ford, Sachs Racing dampers,Brembo brakes, 18” O.Z Racing alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport tyres and a host of other performance changes, combined with a much more aggressive appearance, and was available only in Ford's Imperial blue. Tickford Engineering won the engineering contract for the research, development and to oversee production of the Mk 1 Focus RS. Tickford made substantial modifications to the base unit, with up to 70% of the base components either updated, re-engineered or completely redesigned. Despite the development being carried out in the United Kingdom, Ford produced the Focus RS in the Saarlouis plant in Germany between 2002 and 2003 making a limited run of 4501 cars only. This original Focus RS was only available in Europe; just under half (2147) of these were sold in the UK.[citation needed]
For decades, in the U.S., small cars like the Focus were seen as a tool to draw in younger buyers looking for a cheap basic transportation and to increase auto makers' fleet average fuel economies to meet U.S. federal standards.[7] Ford was said not to be concerned about losing money on the Focus so the company could sell gas guzzlers for big profits.[7] However, recent sales of new Focuses have been able to maintain lower or overall discounting incentive rates than many competing vehicles in its class.[8] Many industry insiders view cars like the Focus as 'compliance cars' because of their role in helping to bring up thecorporate fleet average fuel economy to meet current fuel-economy standards.[9]
The second generation Focus was launched at theParis Motor Show on September 25, 2004, as a three and five-door hatchback and an estate, although the new car was previewed,[10] in 4-door sedan form, as the "Focus Concept" developed by Ford Europe at theBeijing Motor Show in mid-2004.
The basic suspension design, which contributed much to the Mk 1's success, was carried over largely unchanged from its predecessor. Along with a 10 percent stiffer bodyshell, according to Ford this offers a better ride, but critics[who?] claimed the car lacked the precise and poised handling of the Mk 1.[citation needed] The same body styles as the Mk 1 Focus were offered, though the sedan did not appear until mid-2005. A two-door coupé-cabriolet with aretractable hardtop was added to the line-up in 2007.
The Focus Mk 2 is larger and considerably heavier than its predecessor: it has a 25 mm (0.98 in) increase in wheelbase, and is 168 mm (6.6 in) longer, 8 mm (0.31 in) taller, and 138 mm (5.4 in) wider. As a result, the interior and boot space have increased. New technologies include a KeyFree system, a solar-reflect windshield, adaptive front lighting, Bluetooth hands-free phones and voice control for audio, telephone, and climate control systems.
Stylistically, the Mk 2 features the samedesign language found in theMondeo andFiesta. Although still recognisable as a Focus, the new car uses styling features from the abandoned B-Proposal for theoriginal Focus which never reached production.
In 2005, Ford released a MK.II version of Ford's sports division of Focus, the Focus ST. This one produced 225 bhp (168 kW) and could achieve a 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) time of 6.4 seconds, and a 152 mph (245 km/h) top speed, using a 2.5-litre, five-cylinder turbocharged engine originating fromVolvo.
2007–2008 saw a minor facelifted version introduced, featuringFord's Kinetic Design philosophy. Major changes included a new bonnet with more creases, the removal of all mouldings along the doors and sides, new sculpted pull back headlights, and the big trapezoidal lower grille.
In 2009, the new Focus RS was launched, with a modified version of the 2.5-litre engine found in the ST.[citation needed]
For the North American market, development followed a separate path. Since debuting at the2007 North American International Auto Show, the restyled 2008–2011 generation was available as a two-doorcoupe and four-doorsedan; thehatchbacks andwagon were discontinued. The interior was redesigned, including new seats, a new dashboard design with message center on top of the dashboard, ambient lighting, dashboard panels that simulate brushed aluminum, and Ford's voice-controlledSync audio/Bluetooth system. Also included in the redesign was a support beam behind the dashboard for extra structural rigidity.
Though informally considered as the second generation, it was never officially referred to as such by Ford since its platform was the same as the first generation.[citation needed]
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For the third generation, Ford reunited both international and North American models by releasing the international Mk 3 worldwide. The previous North American version was discontinued, and the new model was launched simultaneously in North America and Europe in early 2011, both having started production late in 2010.[11][12]
Ford unveiled the Ford Focus at the2010 North American International Auto Show. The car shown was a five-door hatchback model, also debuting a new 2.0-litredirect injection inline-four engine. A five-door station wagon was also made available at launch.[13] The new generation launched simultaneously in North America and Europe in early 2011, with production having started in late 2010.[12] Production in Asia, Africa, Australia[14] and South America was scheduled to follow later but the plan for Australian production was later dropped and that market and New Zealand were supplied, along with Asia, from a new factory in Thailand where output began in June 2012.
Ford previewed the third generation facelifted model at the2014 Geneva Motor Show.[15] The updated version features a new redesigned front end design, incorporating Ford's new family grille and slimline headlights.
The Focus RS returned in 2015 now sporting an updated 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine. Built in Ford's Germany plant Saarlouis, the Focus RS was updated to be given an advanced all-wheel drive system that could send full power to the rear wheels if allowed.[16]
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On April 10, 2018, Ford unveiled the European and Asian-market versions of the fourth-generation Focus, to mark the brand's 20th anniversary. As in the previous generation, the model is available with sedan, hatchback and estate body styles. Acrossover-inspired trim level known as theActive is available with the hatchback and estate body styles. The car also has aVignale luxury trim level.
The exterior features a sportier design, while Ford described its interior as being simpler. The company also emphasized technology featured in the new model, including the Sync 3 infotainment system, FordPass Connect, and the CoPilot360 driver assistance suite.
In April 2018, Ford announced that all passenger vehicles but the Mustang would be discontinued in the North American market, in order to focus on trucks and SUVs. The Focus Active was intended to be the only version of the model available in the market,[17] but Ford cancelled these plans in August 2018 over tariffs imposed by the U.S. government on exports from China, as the model would be manufactured in the country.[18]
Ford limited sales of fourth generation Focus in its 4-door saloon form in Eastern Europe and select countries in Asia and Africa. Ford no longer offers the Focus in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan due to a broader reorganization of their European branch.[19]
In April 2020, Ford confirmed there are no plans for a fourth-generation Focus RS model due to pan-European emissions standards and high development costs.[20]
In October 2021, the model received a facelift for the European market.
In 2022, Ford announced it would discontinue the Focus by 2025, as part of a pivot towards electric and crossover vehicles.[21][22][23]
The first MkIFocus World Rally Car made its debut inrallying and theWorld Rally Championship on the 1999Monte Carlo Rally withColin McRae and Simon Jean-Joseph at the wheels of the two cars, replacing theEscort. It was immediately on the pace, setting many fastest stage times, but an illegal water pump meant that the two cars were excluded from that event. McRae went on to give the Focus WRC its maiden victory on theSafari Rally in February of the same year, and took victory again in the following rally, theRally Portugal. The MkI Focus WRC went on to achieve further victories over the years for McRae,Carlos Sainz, andMarkko Märtin from then until it was phased out in favour of the MkII offering in late 2005.[24]
The second generation MkIIFocus World Rally Car was a winner in bothMarcus Grönholm's andMikko Hirvonen's hands in the two-car factoryBP-Ford World Rally Team that contested the2006 World Rally Championship, duly racked up the manufacturers' title,[25] spelling the end of a formidable twenty-seven-year wait for such an honour in this series for the Blue Oval. The team successfully defended the manufacturers' title in the2007 season.[26] The MkII Focus WRC was used until the2010 season, when it was announced that the newFiesta would replace it from 2011 onwards.[27]
All the rally cars were built, prepared, and run for Ford byM-Sport, the motorsport team based inCockermouth, Cumbria in Northern England. The team was managed byMalcolm Wilson, a well known British former rally driver.[28]
Besides rallies, the Focus has also been used in theSCCA Speed World Challenge Touring Car Series, theTC 2000, resulting champion in 2003, 2005, 2010, and 2012.
A Focus was entered into the2006 Swedish Touring Car Championship season.
The Ford Focus ST made its debut in the2009 British Touring Car Championship season, with Arena Motorsport. During its second season, the car ran onliquefied petroleum gas, taking the first BTCC win for a car powered by this fuel at Brands Hatch. In 2011, Arena (also known as Team AON) shifted to the newer Focus Mk3, while Motorbase Performance drove the ST version. Both cars had engines built to the Next Generation Touring Car engine rules. Motorbase continues to compete with the Ford Focus ST.
This car won four drivers' championships of the ArgentineTC 2000/Súper TC 2000 championship (2003, 2005, 2010 and 2012). The first three of theOreste Berta Ford YPF team with official support fromFord Argentina.[29]
Arena Motorsport entered two Ford Focus Mk3s in the2012 World Touring Car Championship season forTom Chilton andJames Nash. The best result was a sixth place by Nash in the Race of Morocco.
In 2008 Ford South Africa entered two modified Focus ST models into Class T (reserved for turbocharged production vehicles) of the local Bridgestone Production Car Championship (essentially a Touring Car formula). They secured the Class T driver's titles in 2009 and 2011.
The car had success in the 2013China Touring Car Championship,[30] and won its class in the2014 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour. The Focus that raced in the 2014Bathurst 12 Hour was powered by a 5.0 LFord CoyoteV8 engine.
| Calendar Year | Europe[31] | China[32] | U.S. | Canada[33] | Mexico | Taiwan | Australia | Thailand | Brazil |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 29,399 | ||||||||
| 1999 | 488,679 | 55,896[34] | |||||||
| 2000 | 513,347 | 286,166 | |||||||
| 2001 | 543,378 | 264,414[35] | |||||||
| 2002 | 519,451 | 243,199[36] | 15,612[37] | ||||||
| 2003 | 440,383 | 229,353 | 14,743[38] | ||||||
| 2004 | 432,426 | 208,339[39] | 11,422 | 17,314[40] | |||||
| 2005 | 449,942 | 12,391 | 184,825 | 26,861 | 16,742[41] | ||||
| 2006 | 440,735 | 79,752 | 177,006[42] | 27,718 | 17,702[43] | ||||
| 2007 | 406,944 | 124,991 | 173,213 | 24,013 | 21,727[44] | ||||
| 2008 | 364,316 | 112,552 | 195,823[45] | 32,082 | 15,623 | 20,012[46] | |||
| 2009 | 313,866 | 134,360 | 160,433[47] | 21,831 | 9,602 | 11,089 | 26,053[48] | ||
| 2010 | 269,412 | 172,270 | 172,421[49] | 23,452 | 9,234 | 9,848 | 33,826[50] | ||
| 2011 | 292,427 | 188,961 | 175,717[51] | 25,736 | 11,974 | 12,863 | 35,971[52] | ||
| 2012 | 241,329 | 296,360 | 245,922[53] | 27,936 | 13,123 | 18,586 | 31,548[54] | ||
| 2013 | 225,102 | 403,640 | 234,570[55] | 25,781 | 11,303 | 19,180 | 28,768[56] | ||
| 2014 | 222,297 | 391,781 | 219,634[57] | 22,392 | 12,326 | 15,116 | 1,700[58] | 30,549[59] | |
| 2015 | 232,160 | 246,085 | 202,478[60] | 21,101 | 8,632 | 7,112 | 936[61] | 22,144[62] | |
| 2016 | 212,083 | 225,924 | 168,789[63] | 16,627 | 8,127 | 6,783 | 525[64] | 12,291[65] | |
| 2017 | 212,353 | 172,126 | 158,385[63] | 11,306 | 7,102 | 5,953[66] | 363[67] | 10,921[68] | |
| 2018 | 199,197 | 66,654 | 113,345[69] | 9,546 | 4,586 | 3,875[70] | 130[71] | 7,191[72] | |
| 2019 | 224,401 | 50,738 | 12,480[73] | 1,545 | 11,148 | 3,682[74] | 1,677[75] | ||
| 2020 | 172,489 | 34,506 | — | — | 13,103 | 24[76] | |||
| 2021 | 94,707 | 22,857 | 13,340 | 2[77] | |||||
| 2022 | 77,539 | 15,337 | 12,530 | 5[78] | |||||
| 2023 | 99,794[79] | 4,208[80] | 12,184 | ||||||
| 2024 | 4[81] |
Ford of Europe's chairman and former president, Stuart Rowley has told journalists in June 2022 that Ford plans to end production of the Focus at the Saarlouis plant in Germany around 2025.[82] Production also ended in China.
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