May19
Ford officially confirmed last month that the U.S. market will eventually get a version of the Euro-spec Ford Focus, but it looks as though the sporty compact will be just the first of several Ford Europe vehicles to make the trek across the Atlantic.
According to Automotive News, Ford is planning to bring its C-Max and Kuga to the U.S. sometime in the early 2010s. Both vehicles are based on the Euro-spec Focus C1 platform.
It has been widely speculated that Ford could replace its Escape SUV with the Kuga, but it remains unclear if the Escape could hang on in the market place that long without a significant upgrade. The Escape was launched in 2001 and, despite upgrades in styling and powertrains, is starting to show its age.
The Ford Fiesta will be the first Ford of Europe vehicle to make it to the U.S., with an on sale date of sometime in 2010.
Well…bring some good cars over next time.
From what I heard… the Fiesta is due 4th quarter 2009, as a 2010 model(from Ford dealership).
Anyhow, I Hope they decide, either Fiesta(and)or Focus….as A HATCHBACK.(3 door would be good).
Scion sells 60-80,0000 tC’s a year, since 2004….3 doors.
That’s a success.
I hope Ford gets the message.
I also hope the decide to Diesel Option a few Cars.
gm toyota ford
your asses have just been kicked
Who cares?? Ford did this before and nobody bought the cars! And please don’t try and say it was the name or the cars were crap! BULL****! Americans are just stupid simple as that!
It’s. About. Time.
It is about time Will they come over as Mercury’s ???
Either way Toyota and honda have nothing to worry about
This was needed.
C-max is very ho hum but Ford should bring in the hatch Fiestas as the sedan looks really stupid with all that trunk sticking out behind the rear wheels. Kuga could be a big seller now that the Explorer is being outsold by the CRV and the F-150 will be overtken by the Camry.
Ons thing is for certain, Ford has no decent cars in its US lineup worth buying.
The only way they can screw this up is to price them out of their league.
I have to laugh at the speculation as to whether they can make the Escape last a few more years. Ford has made their living breathing life into geriatric platforms.
Ford Focus SES…08. Got it 7 months ago. 3,200 miles per month. We are now at (nearly)22K miles. No problems.34-37(mainly hwy miles) MPG, with automatic; 16,500 dollars.
I like the car…wish it were faster, and had telescopic steering column, but that’s it.
Also own a 05 tC, with nearly 97K on it.
Had to put in new thermostat @ 74K miles, and throttle body stuck @ 76K…thanks for the 800 dollar extended warranty… we saved 300 on this repair( 1000 for repair, plus towing fee..Toyota paid).
Also have owned 90 Sentra xe(good car..,if Nissan built them like this, still, we’d still own a Nissan..our 200sx-97 model was junk by 67K, in 2001).
Brother In Law got a used Taurus(99 model/black/grey interior/cloth/automatic)….in 2001 , at 53K miles on it.
He now has 147K on it.
Problems:
1) new fan blade needed.
2) radiator core needed flushed out.
That’s it.
So much for “junk” Ford’s, right?
Whatever.
To each their own.
Have a good Memorial Day Weekend.
Well, if they offer the Kuga with a Diesel option, it’ll be my next vehicle, no doubt about that. Is it so hard to ask for a small “ute” with a strong Diesel? I think not…
Hell….yeah….!!!!! Now if only we can get a Mondeo, I could actually have a Ford garage. These are quality vehicles with good styling. Good job whoever-you-are-Ford-Exec-dude!
Hopefully they wont forget Australia.
johnnycanuck.. if the headline of this article is correct (which I suspect it isn’t), they are IMPORTING the vehicles “across the Atlantic”, which will effectively price them out of their league. If they instead source them out of Mexico, Brazil or even China (which I suspect is more realistic).. or GOD FORBID actually retool idled assembly plants and build them in the US.. this sounds like a solid product plan to usher in Ford’s 12th decade.
Fiesta nee Verve is actually a good product. Who knew?
How the hell are they gonna sell european-built cars in America with the dollar being soft as butter?
They will make them in Poland
They will make them in Burma with illegal Tibetan immigrant labor
El ALeman, dollar is not soft as batter. I just was across the pond and can tell you firsthand dollar is softer then infant diarrhea, especially in London.
Those Ford babies will have 2 problems: cost of dollar and cost of running gear (motors and transmissions). Since none of European motors can meet US standards, but Volvo 5 cylinders guess what will motivate those models? it is not a bad motor (although it was very dull in automatic C30), but it cost a lot. Translation: those cars will be as expensive as Audi or Volvo or Saab. Who would pay for Ford the same price as Volvo, Audi, Saab? VW will be cheaper - they are made in Mexico.
This is what kills me about Ford..
http://www.ford.com.mx/vehicles/homevehicle.asp?idModel=FOC
It’s been right here on the same CONTINENT for several years.. yet they insist on lipsticking the old pig for the US!
These things won’t sell … stats show people WANT ugly. Witness Honda and Toyota sales #s … I hate the scenery on the road … feel like taking a flamethrower to the blight that covers the asphalt.
zoomzoomer: NAFTA- it’s a beautiful thing. Not.
zoomzoomer, Model T lasted almost as long as Focus (12 years!).
Impulsive, that’s pretty deep man. Well put.
Impulsive, can you imagine that your definition of Beautiful is different form others? Do you even want to have a great taste or admit to having one? Look who interior decorators are.
Basically,
1. ANY Ford offered in Europe is way better than what For offers on North American markets. And Ford has great advantage over other US manufacturers.
2.EU standards equal or excede those of the US and Canada. Chrysler would not be able to sell 300 in Europe without ABS as it does in the US. When it comes to safety, security and comfort, my mid level European Mazda 3 is equipped as a top specced US model. Strangely enough, both cars are made in the same factory in Japan. But the US top specced model costs 23K, my car cost 40K. You can do wonders with pricing….
Volvos C30, S40, V40, European Focus and Mazda 3 share the same platform. All Ford 1.3 to 2.5 liter engines are acutally Mazda MZRs rebadged as Duratec, so most of them is actually alread approve for the US.
Do you know that Audi TT, Audi A3, VW Jetta, Rabitt, Golf, Skoda Octavia and Seat Leon all share same platform, same engines….. Do you know that Jaguar X-type is essentially a previous generation European Ford Mondeo?
So as you see, standards are pretty close and prices vary accross Europe by 30 percent. Moving it across the pond is matter of putting NHTSAA badge on it and change a few bits like lamps. End of story. Japanese can do it, Ford can do it as well.
‘autonut’, I am NOT gay. I just have good taste. Unlike those who pay good money for Toyotas and Hondas … and Foci, and Subarus. Sales #s prove I am right and we ALL know I only post FACTS.
Oh, and I have been complimented on my mother’s condo … I am good, damn good.
Hope they send them over here good looking cars. I have had good luck with my fords. Owned three hondas which all had expensive problems to fix. Had one nissan quit after 67,000 had to junk it. Owned one plymouth complete junk never buy a chrysler again many problems. Own a saturn and mercury now both on lease. The saturn is ok no real problems just not well put together. The mercury is new no problems yet my family loves it.
The Ford Focus with the T5 turbo motor is available right now in the states as the Volvo C30 hatch. It has been here for 8+ months.
Your right 02WRXPSM. The Volvo C30 and the euro Ford Focus share the same platform as well as the T5 engine.
The C30 is my next car, I drove one last week and it was a blast! And I’m a picky SOB, I’m used to 240whp and a race-prep suspension…
All of Ford’s lying about the C1 being too expensive to produce and sell in the US/NA market is proven wrong by one URL..
http://www.ford.com.mx/vehicles/homevehicle.asp?idModel=FOC
This is the car the US needs!! http://www.ford.com.au/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1178841241534&pagename=FOA%2FDFYPage%2FFullwidth1024&c=DFYPage
What you guys really need is this 5.4 V8 315kw (422bhp approx) model below
http://www.zcars.com.au/images/ford-fpv-fg-falcon1.jpg
This image is the new FPV GT. FPV is the performance arm of Ford Australia.
Better late than never!
Did Ford get a clue? See the writing on the wall? What gives. If they finally, actually make this move, I’ll personally be shocked with joy, because DAMN. How long have people been calling for this?
Mulally seems to have the whip to unite Ford. As far as Toyota and Honda having nothing to worry about……look at the awards, sales numbers, reliability(IE things gone wrong index) on those products in Europe. If the price point is reasonable it will bring people to Ford. I suspect the manufacture orgin may surprise you, Many of these models are offered in Central and South America where Ford and Gm have invested heavily in state of the art flexible manufacturing facilities
Everyone thinks that Ford is junk. Toyota has had 2.2million recalls since they have come to the U.S. in the early 70’s, Next highest. GM they have been around for how long. 1930’s Ford been around since the late 1800’s 1918 turned into the bigest automotive company around. With one brand untill the late 30’s. Toyota pound for pound has turned to **** in the last 5 year’s You think they would have learned from GM. But no they even modled there company around them.
Kitko, C70 hardtop convertible is also on the Euro Focus chasis, but stretched and strengthned.
I’m very happy with the Fusion I leased 5 months ago. 7,000 miles and zero problems. 28.5 MPG mixed driving so far with a 4 auto. I looked at the front suspension last night, trying to figure out why it corners so well. This suspension is amazing. Two lower ball joints and an upper control arm that wraps around the tire. Leased a Toyota last year in Florida and almost wound up in the weeds taking an off-ramp. Good motor and transmission, but the Ford blows it away on cornering and braking.
I will look seriously at the Fiesta after the Fusion lease is off. C’mon diesel!
Buybye. I’m with you on the Fusion. I’ve been very impressed with the quality of it. As far as the handling goes, the Fusion is basically a repaneled Mazda 6. So it makes sense that the handling is good.
BTW — with Ford importing vehicles — it’s about damn time.
You people make no sense. All you have been complaining about for the past 2 years is how Ford needs to bring over Euro models. They finally announce that Ford is bringing some Euro models over and now you are already complaining about that. Enjoy your Kia Rio’s people.
Too bad. HAd they brought over the Euro Focus 10 years ago they might have acquired a legion of new customers. Now everyone and their mother has gained a foothold in the small sport compact market - A3, GTi, Mazda3, Mini Cooper, so on and so on. Good luck Ford, there’s going to be more heat in that segment than in a ‘Bama whorehouse in July.
‘Deanster’, isn’t that where ‘CaCaLover’ resides?
14658: Mmm Nice Falcon
bold move!