Ford Focus

Ford Focus
Overview
Manufacturer Ford
Production 1998–present
Body and chassis
Class Compact car
Body style 3-door notchback/liftback
5-door notchback/liftback
4-door saloon
5-door estate
2-door coupe (US)
2-door coupé-cabriolet (Europe)
Layout Front-engine, front-wheel drive, (most models) or all-wheel drive (RS only)
Chronology
Predecessor Ford Escort (Europe and North America)
Ford Laser (Asia and Oceania)

The Ford Focus is a compact hatchback (C-segment in Europe) manufactured by the Ford Motor Company since 1998. Ford began sales of the Focus to Europe in July 1998 and in North America during 1999 for the 2000 model year. The Focus replaced the Ford Escort and Ford Laser.

First generation (1998–2005)

Ford Focus hatch (first generation facelift)
Ford Focus hatch (first generation)
Ford Focus sedan (first generation)

Ford of Europe introduced the Focus in 1998 to the European market as a replacement for the Ford Escort. 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 a Cologne court, responding to a case brought by the publisher Burda, ordered Ford to avoid the name "Focus" for the cars in the German market since the name was already taken by one of its magazines (Focus).[1] This eleventh-hour dispute was resolved, however, and the car was launched with the name Focus. The Focus MK1 was awarded the 1999 European Car of the Year award.[2] The Fusion name was eventually used on two different vehicle families - a utility version of the Fiesta in Europe, and on a mid-size sedan model in North America. The project manager for the Ford Focus at Dunton was Rose Mary Farenden.

Ford of North America began marketing the Focus in September 1999 for the 2000 model year as a surprise Christmas present for Ford's CEO Jacques Nasser, with some changes from the European version. The car was launched as a three-door hatchback, four-door sedan, and five-door wagon; a five-door hatchback debuted in 2001.[3]

In 2002, Ford launched its highest performance version of the Focus, called the Focus RS. It came with a 2.0-litre turbocharged Zetec engine, a limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes, and a host of other performance changes, combined with a much more aggressive appearance, and was available only in blue. This original Focus RS was only available in Europe.

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.[4] Ford was said not to concern about losing money on the Focus so the company could sell gas guzzlers for big profits.[4] Many industry insiders also view cars like the Focus as 'compliance cars' because of their role in helping to bring down the corporate fleet average fuel economy to meet current fuel-economy standards.[5]

Second generation (2004–2011)

Europe

Ford Focus hatch (second generation facelift, Australia)
Ford Focus hatch (second generation facelift, Australia)
Ford Focus sedan (second generation, Australia)

The second generation Focus was launched at the Paris Motor Show on 23 September 2004 as a three and five-door hatchback and an estate, although the new car was previewed,[6] in 4-door sedan form, as the "Focus Concept" developed by Ford Europe at the Beijing 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 claimed the car lacked the precise and poised handling of the Mk 1. The same body styles as the Mk 1 Focus were offered, though the saloon did not appear until mid-2005. A two-door coupé-cabriolet with a retractable 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 same design language found in the Mondeo and Fiesta. Although still recognisable as a Focus, the new car uses styling features from the abandoned B-Proposal for the original 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 just 6.4 seconds, and a 152 mph (245 km/h) top speed, using a 2.5-litre, five-cylinder turbocharged engine originating from Volvo.

2007–2008 saw a facelifted version introduced, featuring Ford'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.

North America

Ford Focus (North America second generation)
Ford Focus (North America second generation)

For the North American market, development followed a separate path. Since debuting at the 2007 North American International Auto Show, the restyled 2008–2011 generation was available as a two-door coupe and four-door sedan; the hatchbacks and wagon 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-controlled Sync 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.

Third generation (2011–present)

Ford Focus sedan (North America)
Ford Focus hatchback (Europe)
2016 Ford Focus RS
Ford Focus hatchback (Mark III facelift)
Ford Focus hatchback (Mark III facelift)

For the third generation, Ford reunited both international and North American models by releasing the international Mk3 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.[7][8]

In designing the Ford Focus, a group of young designers used what's called the Third Age Suit in order to simulate the physical limitations of an elderly person. The suit, which restricts the wearer's movements, allowed for insights that were implemented into the car's design.[9]

Ford unveiled the Ford Focus at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. The car shown was a five-door hatchback model, also debuting a new 2.0-litre direct injection inline-four engine. A five-door station wagon was also made available at launch.[10] The new generation launched simultaneously in North America and Europe in early 2011, with production having started in late 2010.[8] Production in Asia, Africa, Australia[11] 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. This new generation of Focus incorporates a redesigned cabin with new materials and new entertainment technologies. A 2015 model for the Ford Focus has been exhibited on the Ford website. Its chassis design is much like the 2013 model, but the front has been facelifted with elongated and darkened headlamps, and a grille that is designed to look like the Fusion, or C-max.

Ford debuted the all-electric Ford Focus Electric at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2011 to compete with the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt. Deliveries for fleet customers in the United States began in December 2011,[12] and the release to retail customers took place by late May 2012. The electric car is available only in California, New York, and New Jersey, in limited numbers.[13][14] The European release was scheduled for late 2012.[15]

In summer 2012 Ford launched the Focus ST which had 252 bhp (188 kW) from a 2.0-litre turbocharged EcoBoost engine.

In August 2014, Ford announced it was recalling Focus ST hatchbacks sold in the United States, Canada, and Mexico due to a wiring problem.[16] Additionally, Ford also asked for dealers to stop test-driving and selling select Focus and C-Max vehicles in late August. There was a potential issue found related to the steering assemblies.[17] It was apparent for the manufacturer, that from 8 August through the 15, less than 50 of the vehicles may not have had enough ball bearings in the assembly, causing concern for accidents.

At the end of March 2014, the most common car in Great Britain was the Ford Focus (1.5 million).[18]

Ford previewed the third generation facelifted model at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.[19] The updated version features a new redesigned front end design, incorporating Ford's new family grille and slimline headlights. The sporty ST and an RS model (now sold globally)—which features an upgraded version of the 2.3-litre engine from the Ford Mustang—will continue Ford's performance range. The RS now has all-wheel drive. The new 2016 model year update Focus range will be offered with Ford's multi award-winning EcoBoost technology, with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant available in 110 and 132 kW (148 and 177 hp) outputs in place of the current older 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre offerings. A revised 2.0-litre turbo-diesel TDCi engine, with an output of 110 kW (150 hp), will also be offered. One of the most anticipated features is the 2016 Ford Focus RS's "Drift" Button, which will be the first in the Focus line.[20]

Multiple lawsuits have been filed against Ford on behalf of Focus and Fiesta owners with dual-clutch transmissions alleging defective transmissions.[21] According to court documents, Ford issued multiple technical service bulletins but the problems were never fully resolved.[22]

Fourth generation (starting in 2019)

Ford Focus (fourth generation)
Overview
Manufacturer Ford
Production 2019–
Model years 2020–
Assembly Chongqing, China (Changan Ford)[23]
Body and chassis
Class Compact car/Small family car (C)
Body style Sedan and Hatchback
Layout Front engine Front wheel drive
Chronology
Predecessor Ford Focus (third generation)

The next Focus is expected to grow in size.[24] Production at the Michigan Assembly Plant in the US will end in 2018, and most fourth-generation Focuses sold in North America will be imported from China instead of retooling the plant in Mexico, a move Ford expects to save the company up to $1 billion. Some remaining variants will come from Europe. The Michigan plant will be converted to produce the new Ford Ranger pickup starting in 2019, followed by the Ford Bronco SUV.[25]

Motorsport

Rallying

Jari-Matti Latvala with his Ford Focus RS WRC 09 at the 2009 Rally Finland

The first Focus World Rally Car made its debut in rallying and the World Rally Championship on the 1999 Monte Carlo Rally with Colin McRae and Simon Jean-Joseph at the wheels of the two cars, replacing, for the first time in a generation, the Escort. It was immediately on the pace, setting many fastest stage times, but a vehicle weight issue meant that the two cars were excluded from that event. McRae went on to give the Focus WRC its maiden victory on the Safari Rally in February of the same year, and took victory again in the following rally, the Rally Portugal.

The MkI Focus WRC went on to achieve further victories over the years for McRae, Carlos Sainz, and Markko Märtin from then until it was phased out in favour of the MkII offering in late 2005.[26] This car, a winner in both Marcus Grönholm's and Mikko Hirvonen's hands in the two-car factory BP-Ford World Rally Team that contested the 2006 World Rally Championship season, duly racked up the manufacturers' title,[27] 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 the 2007 season.[28] The Focus WRC was used until the 2010 season, when it was announced that the new Fiesta will replace the Focus from 2011 and onwards.[29]

All the rally cars are built, prepared, and run for Ford by M-Sport, the motorsport team based in Cockermouth, Cumbria in Northern England. The team is managed by Malcolm Wilson, a well known former British rally driver.[30]

Touring cars

Besides rallies, the Focus has also been used in the SCCA Speed World Challenge Touring Car Series, the TC 2000, resulting champion in 2003, 2005, 2010, and 2012.

A Focus was entered into the 2006 Swedish Touring Car Championship season.

The Ford Focus ST made its debut in the 2009 British Touring Car Championship season, with Arena Motorsport. During its second season, the car ran on liquefied 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 by the Next Generation Touring Car engine rules. Motorbase continues to compete with the Ford Focus ST.

Arena Motorsport entered two Ford Focus Mk3s in the 2012 World Touring Car Championship season for Tom Chilton and James Nash. The best result is 6th 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 2013 China Touring Car Championship,[31] and won its class in the 2014 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour. The Focus that raced in the 2014 Bathurst 12 Hour was powered by a 5.0 L Ford Coyote V8 engine.

Sales

YearUSACanadaMéxico
199955,896[32]N/A
2000 286,166N/A
2001264,414[33]N/A
2002243,199[34]N/A
2003229,353N/A
2004208,339[35]11,422
2005184,82526,861
2006177,006[36]27,718
2007173,21324,013
2008195,823[37]23,654 7,993(sedan)435(ST)[38]
2009160,433[39]21,8318,730(sedan)285(ST)587(5DR)
2010172,421[40]23,4526,872(Sedan)507(ST)1,855(5DR)
2011175,717[41]25,7369,100(Sedan)2,874(5DR)
2012245,922[42]27,9368,473(Sedan)227(ST)4,423(5DR)
2013234,570[43]25,7817,929(Sedan)543(ST)2,831(5DR)
2014219,634[44]22,392
2015202,478[45]21,101
2016168,78916,627
201767,146[46]5,024
Sales total: 3,965.320

References

  1. ↑ Ostmann, Bernd, ed. (15 July 1998). "Focus nur fuer Auslands-Modelle: Gerichtsurteil gegen Ford". Auto, Motor und Sport (in German). 15 (9).
  2. ↑ "Rewind to 1999: Ford Focus.". Quicks. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  3. ↑ "Ford Focus ZX5 five-door to debut this fall". Autoweek.com. 14 February 2001. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  4. 1 2 Schoenberger, Robert. "As buyers shun SUVs, expect to pay more for that small car". Cleveland.com. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  5. ↑ Stoll, John (2 Dec 2016). "Trump’s Carrier Talks Up the Ante for Ford". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  6. ↑ Pettendy, Marton (6 September 2004). "First look: Ford lifts the lid on Focus". GoAuto. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  7. ↑ "Detroit auto show: 2012 Ford Focus, most significant by AW Editors' Choice Awards". Autoweek.com. 18 January 2010. Archived from the original on 21 January 2010. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
  8. 1 2 "Dynamic next-generation Ford Focus debuts" (Press release). Ford Motor Company. 11 January 2009. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  9. ↑ Gamman, Lorraine; Thorpe, Adam; Malpass, Matt; Liparova, Eva (2012). "Hey Babe–Take a Walk on the Wild Side!". Design and Culture. 4 (2).
  10. ↑ "Exciting New Next-Generation Ford Focus Gears Up For Launch" (Press release). Media.ford.com. 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  11. ↑ Beissmann, Tim (2 May 2011). "2011 Ford Focus on sale in Australia in August". Caradvice.com.au. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  12. ↑ John Voelcker (9 March 2012). "2012 Ford Focus Electric: 105 MPGe, 76-Mile Range...10 Sales". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
  13. ↑ Nick Chambers. "2012 Ford Focus Electric Begins Retail Life with Low-Key Deliveries". AutoTrader.com. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  14. ↑ Bradley Berman (4 May 2012). "The Battery-Driven Car Just Got a Lot More Normal". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  15. ↑ Eric Loveday (30 March 2011). "Ford Focus Electric won't be offered with battery-lease option". AutoblogGreen. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  16. ↑ "Ford Focus and Escape recalls not linked to any deaths or injuries". Fortune. 16 August 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  17. ↑ "Ford tells U.S. dealers to stop selling some C-Max, Focus models". Reuters. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  18. ↑ "Vehicle Licensing Statistics" (PDF). gov.uk. 10 September 2014. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  19. ↑ Ford at Geneva Motor Show 2014, www.ford.co.uk Retrieved 16 September 2016
  20. ↑ Mike Duff (4 March 2015). "Thank You for Smoking: Ford Explains the Focus RS’s “Drift Mode”". Car and Driver. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  21. ↑ Martinez, Michael (30 May 2017). "Focus, Fiesta owners sue Ford over faulty Powershift transmissions". Automotive News. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  22. ↑ Wood, David. "Ford dual-clutch transmission lawsuit filed in Texas". CarComplaints.com. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  23. ↑ Christina Rodgers and Mike Colias (20 June 2017). "Ford to move production of Focus to China". MarketWatch. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  24. ↑ "Ford Focus Production for North America Will Cease for a Year - Motor Trend". MotorTrend.com. 27 June 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  25. ↑ "Ford will build the next-gen Focus sedan in China". Autoweek.com. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  26. ↑ "Ford drivers excited by new Focus debut". crash.net. 4 November 2005. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  27. ↑ "Wilson Sr: I will treasure this moment forever". crash.net. 20 November 2006. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  28. ↑ "Ford secures manufacturers' title – again". crash.net. 18 November 2007. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  29. ↑ Paukert, Chris. "Paris 2010: Ford Fiesta RS WRC ready to hit the dirt running". Autoblog.com.
  30. ↑ "BP-Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team". WRC.com. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  31. ↑ "TouringCarTimes – Ford dominates at Guangdong with first victory for Jiang Tengyi". TouringCarTimes.
  32. ↑ "Ford Motor Company Sets New Full Year U.S. Sales Record". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
  33. ↑ "Ford Motors Company's December U.S. sales climb 8.2 percent" (PDF) (Press release). Ford Motor. 2 January 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 April 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  34. ↑ "Ford's F-Series Truck Caps 22nd Year in a Row as America's Best-Selling Vehicle With a December Sales Record". Theautochannel.com. 17 November 2004. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
  35. ↑ "Ford Achieves First Car Sales Increase Since 1999". Theautochannel.com. 17 November 2004. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
  36. ↑ "Ford Motor Company 2007 sales". 3 January 2008. Archived from the original on 2009-02-12.
  37. ↑ "F-Series drives ford to higher market share for third consecutive month" (PDF). Ford Motor Company. 5 January 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 February 2009. Retrieved 14 May 2009.
  38. ↑ "AMDA Mex (Industria Automotriz 2008-2014)" (PDF). AMDAMex.mx. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  39. ↑ "Ford caps 2009 with 33 percent sales increase, first full-year market share gain since 1995". Media.ford.com. 5 January 2010. Archived from the original on 26 August 2010. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
  40. ↑ "Ford's 2010 sales up 19 percent – largest increase of any full-line automaker; foundation set for growth in 2011". Media.ford.com. 4 January 2011. Archived from the original on 2 September 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  41. ↑ "2011 Ford Brand Sales up 17 Percent for the Year in U.S." (PDF). Media.ford.com. 4 January 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 January 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  42. ↑ "Ford Motor Company Posts 2,250,165 Sales in 2012; Focus, F-Series Post Big Gains". motortrend.com. 3 January 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  43. ↑ "Ford Motor Company Delivers Best Sales Year Since 2006" (PDF). Media.ford.com. 3 January 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  44. ↑ https://media.ford.com/content/dam/fordmedia/North%20America/US/2015/01/05/december2014sales.pdf
  45. ↑ "Ford Motor Company December U.S. Sales Results" (PDF). Ford Motor Company. 5 January 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  46. ↑ "Ford Focus Sales Figures". www.GoodCarBadCar.net. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
« previous — Ford car timeline, United States & Canada, 1980–present
Type 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s
0123456789 0123456789 0123456789 012345678
Subcompact Fiesta Festiva Aspire Fiesta
Compact Pinto Escort Escort Escort
Focus Focus Focus
Fairmont Tempo Tempo Contour
Granada
Mid-size Granada LTD Fusion Fusion
Taurus Taurus Taurus Taurus
Full-size LTD LTD Crown Victoria Crown Victoria Crown Victoria
Country Squire Five Hundred Taurus Taurus
Personal luxury Thunderbird Thunderbird Thunderbird Thunderbird
Sport compact EXP EXP Probe Probe Escort ZX2 ZX2 Fiesta ST
Focus ST
Focus RS
Sports Mustang Mustang Mustang Mustang
Supercar GT GT
« previous — Ford automobile timeline, European market, 1980s–present
Type 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s
0123456789 0123456789 0123456789 0123456
City car Ka I Ka II Ka III
Supermini Fiesta I Fiesta II Fiesta IV Fiesta V
Fiesta III Fiesta VI
Small family car Escort III / Orion I Escort IV / Orion II Escort V / Orion III Escort Vb Escort VI Focus I Focus II Focus III
Large family car Taunus III / Cortina V Sierra I Sierra II Mondeo I Mondeo II Mondeo III Mondeo IV
Executive car Granada II Scorpio I / Granada III Scorpio II
Sports car Capri Puma
Probe Cougar Mustang VI
RS200 GT
Mini SUV EcoSport
Compact SUV Maverick Maverick Kuga I Kuga II
Mid-size SUV Explorer Edge
Mini MPV Fusion B-MAX
Compact MPV C-MAX I C-MAX II
Large MPV S-MAX I S-MAX II
Galaxy I Galaxy II Galaxy III
LCV/LAV Courier III Courier IV Transit Courier
Transit Connect I Transit Connect II
Van Transit Custom
Transit II Transit III Transit IV Transit V Transit VI
Pick-up Ranger I Ranger II Ranger III
Note

Only models sold in Continental Europe are shown, most overseas territories have somewhat different offerings.

Ford Australia automobile timeline, 1980s–present
Type 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s
0123456789 0123456789 0123456789 01234567
City Ka
Subcompact Festiva Festiva Fiesta Fiesta
Compact Escort Laser Laser Laser Laser Laser Focus Focus Focus
Meteor
Mid-size Cortina Telstar Telstar Taurus
Corsair Mondeo Mondeo Mondeo
Full-size Falcon / Fairmont Falcon / Fairmont Falcon / Fairmont Falcon
Fairlane / LTD Fairlane / LTD Fairlane / LTD
Sports Capri Probe Cougar
Mustang Mustang
Utility F-Series F-Series
Courier Courier Courier Ranger Ranger
Falcon Ute Falcon Ute Falcon Ute
Van Falcon Van
Spectron
Econovan Econovan Econovan Transit Custom
Transit Transit Transit Transit Transit
Subcompact SUV EcoSport
Compact SUV Escape Escape
Kuga/Escape
Mid-size SUV Raider Territory
Bronco Maverick Explorer Explorer Everest
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.