Thoughts? I think at the very least Ford could build the Focus ST here, but not sure about the others as far as cost-prohibitiveness (is that a word?) goes.
Feature Review on Car & Driver

 

I think (or hope) the falcon will be here by 2009.

 

Believe me when I say that there are lots of people in the Focus community who are upset about this!

I was surprised that Ford has not brought the second generation Focus to North America. I thought the idea behind the Focus was to sell the same car worldwide....at least that was the spin when it was introduced here back in 1999.

I feel that Ford missed a great opportunity with the ST and the second gen Focus.

Tony D

 

They will ... someday ... maybe

 

I read in a trade publication that Ford is going to bring over the GEN III Focus, when that goes into production. The real thing, is that the new chassis that the Crown Vic gets may be the new version of the Falcon that is in Australia. After reading that article in Car & Driver, I want to drive a Falcon and FPV GT so bad!!

 

I think they lost many potential sales due to the fact that they didn't bring the Euro version to North America. Most people I know buying small cars are picking up Mazda 3's

 

Another example how Ford is not giving their customers what they want is Ranger. It was best selling small truck for a while, but last major redesign was in 1993. So its not a surprise that Tacoma is best selling small pickup now.

Its almost like Ford wanted Ranger to fail.

 

Definately.

Apparently part of the problem is the cost and market positioning. The focus is a mainstream car in Europe, but in North America the focus is positioned as an econobox. The new focus is too upscale and contented for the econobox market, also it would be bumping into the low end fusion market space. So the decision was made to continue building the old one here as an econobox.

I'd buy the Mazda 3 too.

 

See what Ford needs to do, is to come out with a B-Segment car, like the Fit, or Yaris. Lets say they finally get with it, and sell the Fiesta here. In Europe, and South America, it is a very nice little car. Great build quality, and alot of features for the money. If they came out with this car, then they can bring in the Euro Focus, since they would have to price the Focus higher than the Fiesta. That was the whole problem like Maverstang mentioned. The costs would make the Focus too expensive for this market. Now, if they had a car below it, it could be done.

 

05fordgt,

I agree about the idea that Ford should bring the Fiesta to North America. They probably will not do it till after Toyota and Honda have dominated the B-segment market here.....then it may be too late.

Tony D

 

Well, Europe and South America are completely different markets. Take Focus for example. Since it went on sale in Europe its one of the best cars. When it came to the USA it was king of recalls. Even today, its not bad car, but its also nothing special.
Fiesta might work the same way.

 

One car I am glad that is not sold here is the Euro Fusion! (We got the better end of this deal)

 

Red Star, you can chalk up all the recalls on the Focus in 2000, to Jaques Nasser, the former CEO of Ford. The company is still reeling from all the mistakes that man made, and is still trying to get away from what he did. Nasser's whole thought process was "get the car out, have the customers bring it back later" Not the best thing to do when your introducing a brand new car, that has a BIG bearing on the future of your company. Trust me when I say that man ROYALLY SQ%^&ED the company up. Being in Ford sales, I saw all the info behind the scenes. That is why he was fired from his position. If they did what they wanted to, delay the launch of the Focus, the car may have has only a few recalls, instead of, what was it, 15 or so? I hate that man with a passion.

 

Well, seeing as I won't be buying and shipping over a Mustang when I move to Greece after all, I will more than likely be getting the ST-2 once I get over there in January.





I've got to get that orange with the orange and black Recaro seats.

It's a 2.5 liter 5 cylinder turbo with 223 HP and 236 lb-ft of torque. It's a six speed and allows you to change your suspension set-up from the stalks on the wheel.

Here's a Top Gear review from Mr. Clarkson himself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQM1NUmK3qA

I think I'll be happy until I come back in 2009-2010 and have that redesigned Stang waiting for me. Unless, that is, I like it enough to bring it back with me.

Thoughts?

EDIT:
I forgot to mention what's included in the ST-2 that I want.

18" 5-spoke alloy wheels
ST Sports Bodykit
Recaro two-tone high performance fabric cloth sports seats
Chrome-tipped twin sport exhaust
Auxiliary instrument panel with turbo boost, oil pressure, and oil temp gauges
Submarine lighting (Apparently, this is a red light that illuminates the shifter in a red glow at night)
Brushed Aluminum gear **** and handbrake cover with racing pedals
Sony Audio single CD/MP3 player
HID headlights with auto headlight leveling and washer jets
'Quickclear' heated windshield with heated washer jets
ESP (Electronic Stability Program) with Traction Assist and EBA

 

That is one amazing car!

Love the color and the 5 cyl. engine!