Ford Focus discontinued in Australia?

[stefcio007]

Only the ST and ST-3 are showing on the website?

What about the regular Focus?


Do they just not want to sell their cars in EcoBoost Hybrid engines? (as is available for the Puma and Focus in the UK)
Maybe they wouldn't sell because of the price?

I feel like we're really missing out on the new model unless Ford Australia have something up their sleeve or they can't shake the bad rep they got with the previous generation?

[naddis01]

They've dumped everything but the ST.

[stefcio007]

Is there an official statement?

[naddis01]

https://www.drive.com.au/news/2022-f...ch-to-live-on/

[Crazy Dazz]

The regular Ford Focus small-car range has been axed in Australia, as buyers continue to move away from hatchbacks and embrace SUVs in record numbers. After Ford screwed buyers in the @$%#

The Focus brand was basically destroyed by the Powershart, and then Ford decided the way to recapture sales was to jack up prices and try marketing it as a premium brand.

They basically seem to be abandoning the market to Hyundai/Kia.

[DJM83]

The ST sadly will be next you watch.
Ford ditched the ST brand in Biden land before the Mk3.5 Focus

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by DJM83

The ST sadly will be next you watch.
Ford ditched the ST brand in Biden land before the Mk3.5 Focus

Looks like Ford of Europe will be switching to SUV's as well, so I think the Fiesta and Focus are on borrowed time, and things like Puma, Escape and the so called sports mid size SUV will be all that's left, and they will all be EV's as per FoE's pledge to move to an all EV line-up by 2030.

Whether the ST badge continues on sportier versions of these EV's is unknown. Puma has an ST model, but whether that will carry through to the EV range?

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Looks like Ford of Europe will be switching to SUV's as well, so I think the Fiesta and Focus are on borrowed time, and things like Puma, Escape and the so called sports mid size SUV will be all that's left, and they will all be EV's as per FoE's pledge to move to an all EV line-up by 2030.

Whether the ST badge continues on sportier versions of these EV's is unknown. Puma has an ST model, but whether that will carry through to the EV range?

Probably just be watered down ST Line variants

[simon varley]

can't make money selling sedans and hatches any more. everyone wants a ute or suv

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by simon varley

can't make money selling sedans and hatches any more.

Hyundai and Kia still do ok

Originally Posted by simon varley

everyone wants a ute or suv

Yeah, but whilst names may disappear, it's just fashion trends rather than paradigm shifts.
Most of the SUVs being sold, are literally just the same car with a revised Body.

And with a lot of them, using the 'S' in SUV, should almost be grounds for prosecution.

[Fast Eddie]

Sad really but unsurprising. You can trace poor marketing from the beginning of the MkI. but I'll be hanging on to Focus, for sure.

[Focmachine]

Yes your spot on about the marketing I worked for Ford dealers in sales during the LR release and LS era, that "we can be heros" ad was just spectacular! it even showed some of the car.

All they had to do was a side by side driving test and follow up with the practicality of the interior and show the design deficiencies of the competitors, such as folding down rear seats or seating 5x 6' tall people in it.

I wanted one with a hands off the wheel acceleration showing the neutral torque steer against all of the other cars kicking the wheel on the throttle.


They also did a press day and the cars were loaded with the incorrect software, making the cars dead in the low to mid revs.
Customers who were test driven and presented the car properly were generally converted to buyers but the market share went to the best marketers, toyota and I could never be convinced that the corolla was superior to the focus in any aspect, maybe the engine has some good points.
Those old Corollas did not age well.

Ford did do the best job at giving us the product information and the pro's and cons of the competitors, even down to high tech for the early 2000's, interactive satellite based training other manufacturers I'd worked for just had the sales brochures.

[Redrum]

The current ST production paused due to entertainment screen being manufactured in the Ukraine.

[marg99]

some reports also say the wiring looms are made in Ukraine

[Homesport]

Now reduced to the SA Focus / ST provided you can find a new one. If FoMoCo could get more support from the motoring press, re the acceptance of 1 litre - 92kw engine we could see the Focus return to our market.

[DeKa]

I suspect the discontinuation of the “normal” models was due to the discontinuation of the 3cyl 1.5L petrol for the Focus from the German factory.

As of the facelift, the largest engine is the 1L alluded to, with optional hybrid which takes it up to 155bhp/114kW.

[Crazy Dazz]

A bit off topic but sadly this just reflects the bull****, "City-Based 'Green's", hypocritical approach to the environment.

"Ooh, I want to save the planet",
but I want a new car instead of extending the one I have,
I want an "SUV" that uses more energy to build and run than the hatchback it's based on
"Must be a Hybrid, cos its better for the environment"
But I'll reject a cheaper (& lower carbon cost) car with a small engine that is actually better for the environment.

"Ooh, carbon is the devil's spawn"
But I won't touch a low-carbon alternative like LPG or even better CNG, because it's just too "yukky" and inconvenient.

"Yes, I think having to charge a lectric car every night and/or drive miles looking for a charging station, is acceptable"
"But wah, my local servo doesn't sell LPG anymore"

[Focmachine]

I used to read a few of these "globalist" policies and watch the freaks have conferences.
There is gap between what the media says ( save the environment) and how that happens and what the publicly stated goals are.
Their goal is eliminate all private transport by small steps, environmentalism is just a cover for a bunch of control freaks as far as I'm concerned.

I actually like the performance aspect of electric but yeah if people want to force me into things I tend to not go along.

[Crazy Dazz]

I think part of the problem for Ford's small & medium cars, is the loss of the Mazda relationship, (and to some extent Volvo) which means they now shoulder all the costs of new development.

Groups like VW and PSA, can still share platforms, engines, and components.

and combined with increased competition.

In Europe, if you want something cheap, you buy a Korean, or one of the cheaper "Europeans" now made in Turkey, etc.
Why buy a (nasty) poverty-pack Ford, when for the same money or less you can get a better equipped cheapy.
And if you want something at the top-end, then why make-do with a Ford?

Sadly, hero models like the ST/XR or RS, are dependent on the existence of the underlying models.

[stefcio007]

Good news, I snapped up an ST-Line wagon MK4. After test driving a few cars including hybrids, the Focus actually made me enjoy driving.

I hope they continue to make a car that’s as nice to drive as this in the future.

[Fast Eddie]

Drive.com.au has an article stating Stuart Rowley, Ford Europe C.E.O. confirming that the Focus per-se will be gone by 2025. Worldwide sales of the MkI were 543,000 in 2001 compared to 101,000 last year, he quoted. Enough said.

[Homesport]

FoMoCo Australia have served up a mix mash of European designed product for over 70 years. They have little option but to call it day on Focus with the proposed closure of the Saarlouis plant in Germany. FoMoCo Australia need look to Ford Europe for a guaranteed supply stream for Escape, Puma and Fiesta ST.

[GTP534]

I've got an ST-X on order. Sourcing of the infotainment screen is being switched to another factory and ST production recommences in September, though the dealer has told me that's subject to change.

Should have the car by Dec22/Jan23 at the earliest.

Sad to see the Focus go this way. We had a 2013 Titanium totally ruined by the Powershift transmission - car was dangerous to drive especially when merging on to motorways.

Ford gave us an excellent trade-in on a 2017 Escape, which is Focus based, and has a torque converter automatic. This car has been excellent, reliable, comfortable, easy on tyres (I got 82,000km on the original Continentals) and we still have it.

[simon varley]

Focus and Fiesta have been a massive business problem for years. Ford just can't seem to design a cheap small car. They are fantastic cars, but totally uncompetitive compared to what Kia, Hyundai, MG etc can put out. Every single one we sell here either makes a loss or barely breaks even. Even without the global pressures we've seen an ongoing reduction in what's offered here, until only the high margin performance models are left. It's sad, but hardly a surprising move

[kevino]

But are not the Puma and Escape based on Fiesta and Focus?
Or do Ford lose money on Puma and Escape as well?

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by kevino

But are not the Puma and Escape based on Fiesta and Focus?
Or do Ford lose money on Puma and Escape as well?

Nah the Puma is Ford Europe's main money maker. Last thing I saw said something like 50% of their whole profit comes from Puma alone.

It's also now their highest seller I think. A couple of years ago Focus and Fiesta were 2 of the top 3 sellers in Europe, now they are barely making top 10 IIRC. Been a real drop off in small car sales.

[kevino]

Note in Nz
Three Focus models sold
ST as in Aus
And also
Active 1 litre hybrid 114 kw and 190 nm at 2100 rpm
STX 1 litre hybrid same power torque as Active


What gives Ford Aus?

Why can’t you sell those in Aus?

Those models and their colour range and revised styling look modern and smart,

[kevino]

Yeah but Puma is just a small car
Take a look at Ford.co.Nz
The Focus models Ford sell in Nz look really sharp.
I would be happy enough with Active with a hybrid motor better than my two daughters white goods Toyota s

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by kevino

Yeah but Puma is just a small car
Take a look at Ford.co.Nz
The Focus models Ford sell in Nz look really sharp.
I would be happy enough with Active with a hybrid motor better than my two daughters white goods Toyota s

But it's also an SUV. Although in reality, it's just a slightly raised up Fiesta.