Talk:Ford Focus

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[edit] Cleanup tag

Does anyone know why the cleanup template is on this article? Dalf | Talk 07:42, 7 January 2006 (UTC)

I would guess because the article does not read smoothly, it jumps back and forth to similar topics. It is also hard to distinguish US topics from UK or rest of World topics. thelight1

I've made a bit of progress with the clean up. I've integrated much of the US / EU content and corrected some problems with the article hierarchy and order. See what you think! --DavidChief 07:49, 25 April 2006 (UTC)

Well done - the article reads much more nicely now that the European and N.A. segments are integrated.

Is it appropriate to refer to past Fords as MK x (x being the generation)? If you know Fords well enough, it probably makes sense, but I get the feeling that someone unfamiliar with their European lineup wouldn't have as easy a time with it. TireKicker 08:16, 26 April 2006 (UTC)

Yeah, you might be right. What would an alternative be? --DavidChief 08:19, 26 April 2006 (UTC)
Maybe a small explantion of terms near the start of the page? In enthusiast circles the European Foci are split into 3 verions, the Mk1 Mk1.5 and Mk2. Most dealers would know the different Mk1's as the Mk1 pre-facelift and Mk1 facelift models, and the Mk2. Although the majority of the public would not realise any of this it doesnt mean it should be left out of the article as long as some kind of explanation is given, there are differences between European Mk1 and Mk1.5 foci which go beyond different bumpers and lights. --thelight 16:34, 26 April 2006 (UTC)
I agree with you that the Mk1/1.5/2 Focuses are fine - they're explained, to some extent, in the article. Regarding the other Fords (the Mondeo and Escort that it is compared to in the introduction area, for example), maybe we could alter the internal links to point to the relevant anchor in this sites (so clicking Mk 1 Ford Mondeo would take you to the Mk 1 section of the Mondeo page)? TireKicker 21:49, 26 April 2006 (UTC)
I had to read the first entry in this section several times - I thought it was a joke. "Does anyone know why the cleanup template is on this article?" .....Are you kidding? POV is a major issue for a start, for example
  • "[replacing the Mk1] was a task few manufacturers would have relished; to replace a car which was universally praised and set unprecedented new standards to a class. The Mk 1 was a rare car which dominated its class with such consummate ease and set new standards for rivals to follow."
Grammar is also an issue and the formatting is terrible in places. Mark83 20:40, 17 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Bean Counters

To quote from the main page: "The Focus is arguably the biggest indication of the change in Ford's design and engineering philosophy. After the Escort Mk IV was criticised by the motoring press as being designed by the "bean counters" and for its mediocre ride, handling and quality, Ford decided to take more risks in its replacement. As a result, the Focus had bold styling, increased quality and critically-acclaimed handling and refinement."

Does anyone have a source for this bean-counters comment and subsequent description of why the focus looks how it does? If not, I propose this section be removed. Although I do remember the Escort being rubbished by the press, these statements appear to be worded more as opinion than fact. thelight1 17:48, 27 January 2006 (UTC)

I've found this Autocar road test of the Focus that reads, "The accountants, it was decided, would no longer get the final say, and the design-by-committee approach would be given a thorough overhaul." Also, this review of the Escort is very critical of, well, pretty much everything about it. --DavidChief 19:29, 20 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Focus RS

Just wondered if anyone had thought of entering some info on the Focus RS? Its an absolute marvel of engineering and probably one of the most saught after of the Foci.

[edit] New Focus not in NA?

How come Ford offered the new Focus in nearly all markets excluding North America?

No one buys American compacts anymore, so there's no reason to expect them to.Mustang6172 05:12, 27 August 2006 (UTC)

I would rather say it is a lack of attitude of FoMoCo towards the buyers of small cars. Fixed to the old american belief "big is beautiful", management thinks small car buyers have no money and all what they want is to spend as little as possible. To my opinion, the continuation of the old model for North America is a big mistake.

[edit] Ugly Photos

Why are there only photos of the ugly estate and saloon versions of the Focus? Couldn't someone add a photo of the far more common (and attractive) hathcback version.

They're only ugly according to you. --ApolloBoy 05:31, 13 March 2006 (UTC)
I have taken a couple photos that might be of interest? #1, #2 --DavidChief 21:45, 19 April 2006 (GMT)

[edit] Problems with this article

This article is not written in the neutral tone, and it sounds like it has been run through a translator. For example: "Famously, the interior of the Focus was too far developed for a shocked Ford to do anything major, so the Focus was launched with an interior that was not the standard setter Ford hoped it to be. It was still considered to be the best of the rest by the press."

If I were to guess, wildly, at what the original-language version might have said: "The Focus' interior design was too far along for a surprised Ford to make any changes, so the Focus was launched..."

Adding to the above:
-Some stuff could use sources - the miles per gallon and performance figures of the European engine lineup, for example.
-While some effort has been made to split up information pertinent to the US and European cars, it isn't entirely complete.
Also: Is it appropriate to refer to an aftermarket tuner (Saleen) in an article that is otherwise worded about the car as it came from the factory? While Saleen was sold as new from certain dealers, it still isn't Ford. Just a thought.
TireKicker 06:13, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
I have removed the Saleen content for now. If it is going to be introduced again, I suggest some kind of dedicated section relating to aftermarket parts and tuning is created. --DavidChief 08:09, 25 April 2006 (UTC)
Please check information in Performance section - as it states the SVT/ST170 has a Zetec engine and states Duratec engine elsewhere in the article. Both the SVT/ST170 have Duratec engines. --Darkfearytales 13:02, 14 June 2006 (UTC)
No, the ST170/SVT used the old 1989cc Zetec block. Although Ford is using the Duratec name left and right, the Focus ST170 uses the same engine as the 130hp Focus 2.0 Ghia. The main difference is the use of VVT, which is the Ford rationale for sticking it in the Duratec family, although it is unrelated. --Pc13 14:33, 14 June 2006 (UTC)

The information about no US focus recalls since 2002 is incorrect. My parents own a 2005 ZX4 that had a trunk latch recall in early 2006.

[edit] External links

The external links seem to have just changed again. The order has been altered and a fansite is at the top. What is the justification for this change? Thanks! --DavidChief 07:47, 21 April 2006 (UTC)

I went ahead and reverted the edit. From what I read in Wikipedia:External linking, the official Ford sites are more appropriate than a fan forum. TireKicker 07:51, 26 April 2006 (UTC)
I've removed a few more. Some of them had no useful content and seemed to be self-promotion. --DavidChief 08:20, 26 April 2006 (UTC)
I've removed one that were just added and a couple that were fluff. The article already has plenty of external links without them. --AbsolutDan (talk) 16:59, 1 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Fusion model name

Just realised I hadn't logged in when adding info about Fusion model name. Mentioning it here in case anybody wants to check veracity (I don't like anonymous entries!). My source for the info is personal, but my colleagues from the time would back it up I expect; we were working on the launch CDs for the Frankfurt and Hannover shows and had to rework from Fusion to Focus at the last minute! We suspected it was a security measure to avoid contractors leaking the name to the media. Kierant 16:41, 24 December 2005 (UTC)

I love the Focus! No wonder it's the most popular car in the UK! Charlie123 13:13, 8 Dec 2004 (UTC)

[edit] Plural

Ford Focus, when plural, can be any of the following.

  1. Focus (singular plural)
  2. Foci (mispronounced Fo-kye, related to the actual plural for focus)
  3. Focuses (general plural)

[edit] Trim Levels

Is there any need to list all the trim levels and special editions? Not only does it take up a lot of space, but it also seems pointless because it can vary so much from region to region.

[edit] Reliability Issues

As far as reliability issues for the Mk 1 Focus, would it fit to add that the engine often experiences problems around 100,000-115,000 miles, because of the timing belt? It generally breaks around then, which causes the valve train to lose sync with the pistons. Since there is zero clearance for the open valve, so several valves get smashed by the pistons. I'd rather ask here first and post if everyone is OK with it, rather than get in trouble.—the preceding comment is by Sleeping143 (talk • contribs) 2006-11-08: Please sign your posts!.

Do you have a WP:RS for it? // Liftarn

[edit] Split into separate Europe/North America articles?

I'm suggesting this be split into two separate articles for the European and North American versions of this car - much like the European and North American Ford Fusion - since the only thing they share nowadays is the name. Ford recently unveiled the design for the US-model 2008 Focus at the Detroit Auto Show and it in no way resembles the model sold in Europe and Asia. This might help keep the articles to a digestible size and allow the information to be a lot more easily read. Greg the White Falcon 20:27, 10 January 2007 (UTC)

I agree. The two are very different cars. The Ford Escort has a European and an American page and so should the Focus scancoaches 20:49, 10 January 2007 (UTC)

One of the 2 articles ledes may be wrong as they both read "a compact/small family car made by the Ford Motor Company and sold in most Ford markets worldwide".
Also, could one of the experts take a few moments and disambiguate the links to this page? Ewlyahoocom 05:26, 25 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] disambig text

The text on this page made me chuckle "Ford Focus (International), the model sold outside North America." I know there are alot of american users on this site and that it's a big country but is this really needed? Considering that more people live out side of America than in it then surely it should be "Ford Focus (International), the model sold in North America?" and then "Ford Focus (International), the model sold in the majority of Ford markets." Also i'm pretty sure the focus was designed by the europe division anyway. 81.129.166.156 18:37, 1 May 2007 (UTC)