Out Of Focus

Back in May, I wondered out loud on this blog whether the Ford Focus and Fiesta, still available in Europe, would return to the U.S. market, given the continuing increase in gas prices.  The short answer, regarding the Focus at least, is: It won't.  That's because the Focus is being discontinued in Europe in 2025.

Ford announced the news on June 22, adding that it doesn't know how to keep the German plant that makes the European Focus up and running once the car is axed.  Most of the 4,600 workers at the factory could be laid off, even as Ford plans to make more electric vehicles. "The reality of the industry," a Ford representative said, "is that the production of EVs will require fewer people."

That would be fine if an ID.3-like hatchback were in the works at Ford to replace the Focus.  Alas, Ford plans to make more EUVs, because, well, crossovers are gaining popularity in Europe too.

The Focus is on the way out.  The Fiesta is next. 😬

No Focus. No Fiesta. WTF?

Back in 2018, then-Ford CEO Jim Hackett, who retired in 2020, decided to ax all of Ford's sedans and hatchbacks - including the fuel-efficient Focus and Fiesta - in the U.S. and Canada, and he did not spare the Lincoln brand from his decision.  This means that Ford dealers in North America only offer SUVs, pickup trucks and Mustangs and the Lincoln brand is all SUVs - without a single sport sedan in the lineup.

Since then, the Focus and the Fiesta have been redesigned for the European market.  The Focus remains as edgy as ever, as seen below (in hot ST form).

And the all-new Fiesta (below) is pretty slick too!

Would the Focus and the Fiesta ever come back to the New World?  Yes, said then-and-still-Ford executive chairman William Clay Ford, Jr., provided, of course, that the North American market changed and made compact cars popular again.  An Ford would be readily be able to adapt to such change.

All right.  So, gasoline in the U.S. is $4.76 per gallon.  It's the equivalent of $6.54 in Canada.  All of those SUVs are suddenly to big, too cumbersome too wasteful, and too stupid.  Even the compact ones.  Now is the time for the Focus and the Fiesta to come back to the New World.  So, Ford - what the f**k are you waiting for?

Oh, right, for North American buyers to stop buying these.

*💣💀##!!