The good news just keeps coming in for Ford.
After already posting the first positive sales month in 19 months, the Detroit-based automakers also learned that the Ford Focus has emerged as the runaway winner for most bought car under the Cash For Clunkers program.
With the program having seemingly opened a floodgate of automotive sales, Ford has taken advantage of this unexpected interest to post strong sales numbers, including the company’s C-Segment vehicle, which increased its sales percentage by 43.6%. In addition to that, the Ford Escape also posted a dramatic 97% rise in sales last July.
While Ford is the first to say that the Cash for Clunkers program may have had a lot to do with it, the company is nevertheless ecstatic about its increasing sales numbers. The Detroit-based automakers two main rivals – GM and Chrysler – have also had their fare share of sales spikes.
Continued after the jump.
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The 2009 Ford Focus Coupe is an excellent economy car that features attractive fastback styling that will make you think twice about this car’s role as an econobox. Our Focus gives the impression of being a sports car with its Sangria Red metallic paint, large rear wing and rally inspired 17 inch premium dark painted wheels. However the exterior is only the beginning of the story, it was the interior of our $20,000 Ford Focus Coupe that made us fans of the well finished affordable method of transportation. It’s not the gauges or the synthetic door panels, but the Medium Stone leather seats and Ford’s voice commanded Sync audio system that earned our affection. These are two luxuries that you won’t find in many other $20,000 new cars.
Our Focus is powered by a 2.0 Liter Duratec 16 valve four cylinder engine that makes 143 HP when connected to a 5 speed manual transmission. The blue oval guys claim that the Coupe comes with a sport tuned exhaust as well as a sport tuned suspension, two things we thoroughly enjoyed listening to and putting through its paces. Despite the sporty nature of the Focus Coupe, Ford is already ready for the future CAFÉ standards because our car gets an EPA estimated 35 MPG.
However, no matter how good the Focus is, for some reason U.S. consumers have never been able to focus on the car’s highlights. You have to travel all of the way to Europe where the Ford Focus has earned multiple Car of the Year awards where these automobiles stand for value, sport and convenience. If only Ford could convince domestic consumers how good this car really is, perhaps next year wouldn’t be a Europe only model.
Continued after the jump.
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The 2010 Ford Focus is taking on a European feel.
Apparently, the latest model of the Focus franchise will not be produced on its home continent and instead, will be manufactured exclusively at Ford’s Saarlouis production plant in plant in Germany.
While it may seem strange to produce the Focus from across the pond that is the Atlantic, Ford justifies their reason by saying that the move will allow its European division to get back on its feet. According to John Fleming, the Chairman and CEO of Ford Europe, “Our objective is to return to sustainable profitability as soon as we can.” He also added: "We’ve already shown that we will make the necessary decisions and do whatever is required to ensure that Ford of Europe emerges from the downturn as a leaner and stronger company, ready to take on the opportunities presented once the economic situation finally improves."
The Focus is not the only Ford vehicle that will be produced exclusively in Europe. One of its variants, the Focus C-Max MPV will be produced in Valencia, Spain. Incidentally, the same plant in Valencia that produces the C-Max will distribute the vehicle to all the European markets and if plans push through, all the markets outside of Europe, including the US.
With the industry taking a massive hit in America and in Europe, it figures that Ford is putting all its resource into making sure that all of its plants have an opportunity to keep their heads above water.
Ford extended our test session with their stylish two door and we have to admit that we are enjoying double stinting the Focus. As we drive the coupe around for a little longer we are starting to notice the small things, like the colorful bunch of LEDs throughout the interior, and the removable cup holder for easy cleaning. Although we are pining for a version where the driver can sit in a sport bucket that isn’t supported by an electronic platform and has a turbo strapped to the back of the engine, after all there’s plenty of room for it.
Unfortunately we had to make a trip to the gas station, but without paying too much attention, or money we filled up the tank for $30, not bad, but we’re still waiting for higher prices this summer.
This is a great entry-level ride, coming with features like leather, Sync and a set of really nice looking wheels. The Focus is a different vehicle all together when seen in the eyes of a European; these cars stand for value, sport and convenience. If only Ford could convince domestic consumers. The Ford engineers can try a little harder with the styling possibly a Ford Edge Sport treatment, but definitely on to something.
We have just received the all new 2009 Ford Focus Coupe in the Top Speed test fleet. The profile of the two-door Focus with its fastback styling immediately reminded us of the old Sierra Cosworth, with the modern day car’s long slanted C pillar and oversized rear wing. The Focus Coupe gives the impression of being a sports car, something that is only accentuated by its Sangria Red metallic paint and the rally inspired premium dark painted wheels.
The interior of our Focus Coupe comes with Medium Stone leather seats and Ford’s Sync audio system. These are two luxuries that you won’t find in many other $20,000 new cars. It looks like Ford is targeting the youth market with the Focus Coupe, aside from the sporty exterior styling; the gauges have a very tuner style look to them, they are bright, bold and in your face. Another interesting feature that we’ve noticed is the door chime, gone is the annoying monotonous “ding” and in its place is a sound that is more reminiscent of something coming from an Atari video game.
Our Focus is powered by a 2.0 Liter Duratec 16 valve four cylinder that makes 140 HP. The blue oval guys claim that the Coupe comes with a sport tuned exhaust as well as a sport tuned suspension, two things we are looking forward to listening to and trying out. Despite the sporty nature of the Focus Coupe, Ford is already ready for the future CAFÉ standards because our car get an EPA estimated 35 MPG.
For a 360 degree view of the Focus check out the video after the jump.
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