Ford Europe is saying goodbye to its iconic board name models one by one. The last Mondeo (Fusion in the US) was produced in April 2022, followed by the final Fiesta in July 2023. Now, the Focus is also set to retire at the end of this year. In an email to Motor1, Ford’s European Communication Manager, Finn Thomasen, announced that production of the Focus will end in November with no plans for a replacement. Customers can still order a new Focus to their liking, but with production ceasing at the Saarlouis plant in Germany, orders will soon be closed, and only remaining inventory will be available.
This move marks the end of an era for Ford in Europe as the Focus has been a significant model since its debut in 1998. Taking over the iconic Escort, the Focus played a crucial role in Ford’s history. Discontinuing production of the Focus means fans will lose one of the last hot hatchbacks available with a manual transmission, the ST. Ford also offered a sporty version for those seeking practicality, complete with a diesel engine for better torque and efficiency.
While Ford is moving away from “boring” cars to focus on more iconic vehicles like the Bronco, Tremor, Raptor, and Mustang, the decision to discontinue models like the Focus and Fiesta was due to financial considerations. With declining sales in Europe, the company’s market share has dropped significantly. However, Ford still has models like Puma and Kuga to offset the loss of regular cars like the Focus. The future for Ford in Europe appears challenging, but with a growing lineup of electric vehicles, the company is adapting to changing market demands.
