Ford confirmed just a short time ago that it will introduce the Euro-spec Ford Focus to the U.S. market in late 2010, and it looks as though Ford’s American arm will fully embrace the Euro invasion. When the 2011 Ford Focus begins North American production, it will likely be produced at two of Ford’s U.S. production plants.
According to Automotive News, Ford will likely produce the 2011 Focus at the company’s Wayne, Michigan and Louisville, Kentucky plants. The current Ford Focus is only built at Ford’s Wayne facility.
The addition of the Focus to the Louisville plant makes a lot of sense in this $4 gas world. The Louisville plant currently builds the slow-selling Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer, so the switch to a car that promises “excellent” fuel economy would seem to be the best business decision for Ford .
Ford sold just over 173,000 units of the Focus last year, with sales up about 35 percent through the first half of 2008. The additional Focus line is expected to boost Focus capacity to 280,000 units annually.
Ford is also reportedly considering building its Euro-spec C-Max at its Wayne plant sometime in 2011.
