twintornados Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 I also would not be surprised if the current Chinese built Focus remains in production there for China and North American sales while the rest of the world got the updated version. In this case, Snooter is right, the only way in North America to drive small car sales is to be faced with $5 dollar a gallon gas again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoonerLS Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 . I believe the savings come from the fact there is a plant in China already producing Focus and not one in Mexico... I'm sure that's a factor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grbeck Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 The first 2-3 years of the original Focus were problematic, but Ford got those problems fixed, and the car was reliable from that point forward until the new version debuted. We had a 2005 SE sedan, and it went for 235,000 miles until we traded it for an off-lease Escape. Others have gotten good service out of Focuses built between about 2004 and 2011. The market for cars of this size isn't growing, but if marginal players (such as Dodge) leave faster than the total market segment shrinks, there is still an opportunity for companies that offer this size of car. In rural areas, in particular, there are people open to buying a Ford or Chevrolet small car - to park beside their full-size pickup or Explorer/Traverse - as long as it's reasonably reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 I also would not be surprised if the current Chinese built Focus remains in production there for China and North American sales while the rest of the world got the updated version. In this case, Snooter is right, the only way in North America to drive small car sales is to be faced with $5 dollar a gallon gas again. Why? That'd be a waste of time and resources, as sales would continue to decline without a new model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 I wouldn't be surprised if Chinese Focus sales are 100,000 per year or less. That may be the natural demand for Ford compact sales in the US, as Ford has probably burned a lot of good will among small car buyers with all the problems the original 2000 model year Focus and the current version have had. I don't think that is truly the case...given the fact that most Foci are bought on cost or are entry level vehicles it would be bringing in a new customer that may or may not damage Ford's reputation. I don't think the Focus name is damaged one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordowner Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 The first 2-3 years of the original Focus were problematic, but Ford got those problems fixed, and the car was reliable from that point forward until the new version debuted. We had a 2005 SE sedan, and it went for 235,000 miles until we traded it for an off-lease Escape. Others have gotten good service out of Focuses built between about 2004 and 2011. I guess I lucked out with my 2000 Kona Focus hatch, it was a great car. The Kona Mountain bike that came with it had some issues, but the car itself was great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
630land Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 Honda still sells 300K Civics a year, and loyal owners moving to CRV, Pilot, Accord, and Acura. Can't just say "get an F-150" to car buyers. I don't see them sticking with MK3 model though. Chinese buyers want new cars, too. Old designs got old names, like Escort. Regarding 2000 model year, the most common complaint was leaks and they go fixed. Many Mk 1 Focuses are still running, pushing 200K+ miles. When 2012 was new, before issues appeared, Ford was getting good transaction prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 I don't think that is truly the case...given the fact that most Foci are bought on cost or are entry level vehicles it would be bringing in a new customer that may or may not damage Ford's reputation. I don't think the Focus name is damaged one. Correct, it;s getting harder to sell them as evidenced by strong incentives. I think that whay Ford isn't worried about selling fewer for now and leaving the door open to Ecosport to fil more sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 Honda still sells 300K Civics a year, and loyal owners moving to CRV, Pilot, Accord, and Acura. but they also don't sell 200K plus 40K+ pickups either. Honda is limited in where and what they can do and when the auto makers start consolidating, I don't think they'll be an independent company any more. Ford isn't abandoning the segment either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 Ford isn't abandoning the segment either. it looks like they sure as hell aren't giving it a good effort either 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snooter Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 I see good sales for the eco sport..looks good..i bet it does well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 it looks like they sure as hell aren't giving it a good effort either Well outside of the powershift fiasco, is the Focus that bad of a car? I know Ford was trying to slot it as more premium car in 2012, but since gas prices went back to being cheap, there isn't much interest in smaller cars from domestic makes like there was in 2008 and people where buying them mostly on price (outside the ST and RS). You can't force the market to buy something it doesn't want. The car/sedan market is shrinking and the available pie for gaining market share isn't there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 Well outside of the powershift fiasco, is the Focus that bad of a car? I know Ford was trying to slot it as more premium car in 2012, but since gas prices went back to being cheap, there isn't much interest in smaller cars from domestic makes like there was in 2008 and people where buying them mostly on price (outside the ST and RS). You can't force the market to buy something it doesn't want. The car/sedan market is shrinking and the available pie for gaining market share isn't there. It's a bit cramped but the main problem is it's just not fresh any more. The 2018 will be the 7th year basically unchanged visually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 It is a very nice car hampered by a POS transmission. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 The 2018 will be the 7th year basically unchanged visually. I dunno that isn't the same situation as the Fusion... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 Only the grill was changed - nothing else AFAIK including the interior except for sync 3. That's ok for a 2-3 year MCE but 5-6 years should be the limit if you want to keep repeat buyers. Fusion had even less of a change but it's also a year younger than Focus (2013). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 Well outside of the powershift fiasco, is the Focus that bad of a car? I know Ford was trying to slot it as more premium car in 2012, but since gas prices went back to being cheap, there isn't much interest in smaller cars from domestic makes like there was in 2008 and people where buying them mostly on price (outside the ST and RS). You can't force the market to buy something it doesn't want. The car/sedan market is shrinking and the available pie for gaining market share isn't there. Given what we know/what has been said about the NG Focus (twist beam suspension in place of IRS being the biggest one) I beg to differ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 And let's not forget a new Focus or Fusion aren't due for another 2 years, so that makes 9 years for Focus and 8 for Fusion. Way too long without a new tophat considering these were near the top in their markets in sales volume at one time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 Only the grill was changed - nothing else AFAIK including the interior except for sync 3. That's ok for a 2-3 year MCE but 5-6 years should be the limit if you want to keep repeat buyers. Fusion had even less of a change but it's also a year younger than Focus (2013). The back end was cleaned up a lot. It's more noticeable on the Hatchback than the sedan. Except for the electric model. Only the rear end changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grbeck Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 It's still one of the best-looking cars in its segment. But the problematic automatic transmission, lack of rear seat legroom, and its age work against it among potential customers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pioneer Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 It is a very nice car hampered by a POS transmission. Not if you bought the right one. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 Only the grill was changed - nothing else AFAIK including the interior except for sync 3. That's ok for a 2-3 year MCE but 5-6 years should be the limit if you want to keep repeat buyers. I think your expectations are bit too high...the 2006 to 2010 Fusion had a very similar change to it like the Focus. Your not going to get a completely new top hat at 5 years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 I think your expectations are bit too high...the 2006 to 2010 Fusion had a very similar change to it like the Focus. Your not going to get a completely new top hat at 5 years old. 6 would be ok. It all depends on how competitive you want it to be. If you want to maximize sales volume you need to keep it fresh - MCE at 3 years, new top hat at 5-6 years. That's what the competition is doing. You have to keep repeat buyers coming back for new ones and a new top hat every 8-9 years won't cut it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 Not if you bought the right one. True that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 6 would be ok. It all depends on how competitive you want it to be. If you want to maximize sales volume you need to keep it fresh - MCE at 3 years, new top hat at 5-6 years. That's what the competition is doing. You have to keep repeat buyers coming back for new ones and a new top hat every 8-9 years won't cut it. What Ford product has had a new top hat in the past 15 years every 5-6 years? Been every 10 years or so if it stays on the same platform with some exceptions due to product realignment back about 5-7 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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