Pintos sold crazy back in the day not because they were beautiful, but because they were cheap and good on gas. The alternative in 1974 was the Mustang II and it sold very well.

 

That's your opinion, and you know what they say about opinions... But there are an increasing number of people buying the cars every month so the styling must not bother them.
The next Focus is not "Euro", it's Global. In fact, most of the development of the next Focus is being done in Dearborn, so that manufacturing costs will be viable for the US and Europe and anywhere else.

The whole "Euro" vs. "US" vs. where ever mentality is what Mullaly is trying to get rid of with the global Ford approach.

 

That's gonna kill Focus' sales in Europe.

 

According to Igor over at BON (who usually is pretty accurate):


Since Europe will have a lot of input as well, I don't think it will have much effect.

 

I think the fact that Focus will be developed here in the USA will cause sales lost in Europe. Because European drivers are very different.
I recently got new Fusion and while I like it, I'm pretty sure European drivers would find many things wrong with it.

I'm going to Serbia in less than 3 weeks and my buddy there recently got 2004 Focus Ghia (it's a best model, not counting special editions like RS and ST) with only 11,000 original miles. Can't wait to drive it.

 

I like it. Good to see that Ford threw out that @#$@#$@! fake chrome piece on the fender. WTF, anyway? Make it a hybrid and watch sales really take off. I would like to trade my '05 Focus but its paid for and mileage for '08 is what I get already...... . Glad to see Sales for something going well at Ford.

 

Well, I certainly know what people say about your opinions.

There is a growing segment of our society out there with less and less money - especially as gas prices go up. At that point, styling takes a back seat to practicality and perceived value for the dollar.

But decent sales and ugly is still ugly. This car benefits from a shortened production run, so by the time many people begin to realize that they're actually driving a pig with lipstick on it, the new car will be here. So as a stop-gap strategy, it may well work given current economic conditions.

 

well i understand and more or less agree with many opinions on this thread. I actually kinda dig this new facelifted coupe. Dont know why. I think the next focus will still be very strong, look at the cobalt/ astra. that platform does very well both in the states and abroad.

just drove a cobalt ss supercharged this afternoon, thats a sweet piece

 

Yeah, yeah, I know what all one of you think.
The same can be said of every car in the compact or C-segment-- low price, good mpg, but not one of has the looks or style that equal a Mustang.

 

They are trying to keep the manufacturing costs in line for the US on the C2;and the rest of the world is going to have input as well, so that the whole "global" Ford thing works. I'm sure each division will be able to tune the chassis & suspension to local tastes.
Cool, keep us posted on your experiences...

 

 

now that i see real pictures, i kinda like it more. and i also even more badly want to go to cars and coffee

 

Man I really want one.

 

It's all yours...

 

that little roof-mounted air deflector got me thinking about the Euro Escort Cosworth version... but this car will never be anywhere near as cool.

 

Ford came out to FocusSport here in Anaheim, CA for a special public reveal for Focaljet.com members on 05/17/08.

Here's a link to pics, enjoy!

http://forums.focaljet.com/team-pit-...veal-pics.html

 

Hey, that's looking pretty sharp! I like the color and the wheels too.