Detroit Auto Show: 2011 Ford Focus breaks cover
By Andrew C., 30 Aug, 2010. 0 Comments
2011 Ford Focus
Ford Motor Co. unveiled today the brand new 2011 Ford Focus, the new generation of the popular hatchback that shows a sportier look and it is engineered only for North America but with a European-inspired ride, handling as well as styling. The new Focus will go on sale later this year and comes with a new trapezoidal grille as well as an interior, meant to evoke the feeling of an airplane cockpit. The new vehicle comes on the new global platform created by Ford that will also be used on 10 new and redesigned small cars. The car is meant to "demonstrate how Ford will bring European flavor to America," says Ford's design chief in Europe, Mr. Martin Smith. Ford also expects U.S. annual sales of the new Focus to be about 220,000 units and looking at the, a big target for the American manufacturer if we look at the 160,433 Focuses in 2009.
Press Release: "The next-generation Ford Focus makes its worldwide debut providing customers with more affordable technologies and features than ever in this segment, as well as detailed craftsmanship, outstanding fuel economy and a new standard for driving quality. Sleek, stylish and sporty, both the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles of the next-generation Focus are previewed prior to their production start for Europe and North America late in 2010 and market launch early in 2011. The new Focus will be nearly identical in all markets, with 80 percent parts commonality around the world. "The new Ford Focus is a clear demonstration that our ONE Ford strategy is providing global consumers with great products that harness the best of Ford Motor Company," said Alan Mulally, Ford's president and CEO. "The efficiencies generated by our new global C-car platform will enable us to provide Ford Focus customers with an affordable product offering quality, fuel efficiency, safety and technology beyond their expectations," he added.
Simultaneous launch in Europe and North America Production of the next-generation Ford Focus will begin simultaneously in Europe and North America in late 2010, with individual market launches starting early in 2011. Launches in Asia, Africa and South America will follow. Initial production will be concentrated at the Saarlouis (Germany), Michigan (United States) and Chongqing (China) Assembly Plants. The new Focus will be one of up to 10 unique models to be built from Ford's new C-car platform, which is expected to generate total sales in all regions of 2 million units annually by 2012. The first of these will be the new Ford C-MAX and Ford Grand C-MAX - unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show - for launch in Europe in the second half of 2010. "Global customers increasingly want smaller cars with outstanding fuel economy, but without sacrificing any of the style, technology, connectivity and driving quality they demand from larger vehicles," explained Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of Global Product Development. "Our next generation of C-cars - led by the exciting new Focus - will clearly show that Ford is ready to meet that challenge," said Kuzak.
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