I'm sure you're as surprised as nearly everyone else in the automotive world when you see a headline like that. Well apparently the new 2008 (US) Focus is selling beyond expectations and Ford is going to increase production of the vehicle.
Ford has announced that the automaker is going to increase production of the new Focus by 30 percent to keep up with the increased demand. Ford sold 49,070 of the small car in the US in the first three months of this year, which is a 23 percent increase over last year. Ford is now planning on building 245,000 Focus units in 2008 up from 191,000 last year.
I guess that new refresh is actually doing something.
Full Story: eGMCarTech
Related Stories:
The Next-Gen Ford Focus is Going to be Built on a Global Platform...Finally!
Comments (27)
By destroying the economy, I've ensured that Americans will be forced to buy cheap, poorly made vehicles from the formerly Big 3.
Posted by bushforprez | April 16, 2008 2:49 AM
Posted on April 16, 2008 02:49
Ford has announced that the automaker is going to increase production of the new Focus by 30 percent to keep up with the increased demand.
Yes, that how we would explain bad planning.....
Posted by lowest iq | April 16, 2008 4:41 AM
Posted on April 16, 2008 04:41
There must be a lot of really stupid people here in the US. This is such a garbage car. It's ugly (why does it need louvres in the fenders?) and running an outdated platform. I wouldn't buy one if they were $5,000 brand new.
If sales are up 23% why increase production 30%? Do they just love having them sit on lots? Scarcity can sometimes be a good thing, right now dealers can actually make money on them.
I'm definitely surprised they've sold so many.
Posted by Cheap Car Lover | April 16, 2008 8:44 AM
Posted on April 16, 2008 08:44
we had lots of complains around here about Ford not bringing the euro platform in the states. But why should they? People here are stupid enough to think that new headligths and a few gadgets in interior styling = new car. Ford is doing what probably every one of us should do if we were the owners: Sell old cheap crap as a new apple pie to fill the pockets with a shitload of money
Posted by bear | April 16, 2008 8:51 AM
Posted on April 16, 2008 08:51
I think I'm one of the VERY few who actually like (or atleast don't hate), the new design. If I was in the market for a small car I would definitely look at this.
Posted by SEALBoy | April 16, 2008 8:54 AM
Posted on April 16, 2008 08:54
Aw geez...with headlines like that, Ford must be reconsidering the use of a global platform for 2010...
Posted by Jim | April 16, 2008 8:56 AM
Posted on April 16, 2008 08:56
Wow, a new record... the very first post actually finds a way to blame Bush for the Ford Focus...
Posted by WS | April 16, 2008 9:16 AM
Posted on April 16, 2008 09:16
@SEALBoy
No, I like the new Focus too, your not alone. And I also agree with WS too.
Posted by Jeremy | April 16, 2008 9:52 AM
Posted on April 16, 2008 09:52
we drove buicks, but now we have Ford Focus. We liked the chrome doorhandles and louvres especially.
Posted by waldorf and statler | April 16, 2008 10:14 AM
Posted on April 16, 2008 10:14
Hey I'm sure that demand has nothing to do with a 300 dollar option that is actually kinda neat, if I get in your car and you have sync be prepared. Nothing to do with the AMERICAN workers getting their collective heads of their butt and improving quality , I guess losing your job because you put your own company out of business might cut into benifts. And foremost I think that all cars should louvers by 2010 without them I don't know what humanity would do.
Posted by OD | April 16, 2008 10:34 AM
Posted on April 16, 2008 10:34
im with the others when I say I dont hate the car but wow that first post I mean wow simply wow. I do like the interior of a new focus having sat in one plus sync is pretty cool when you get used to it. But the next focus should be alot better
Posted by unkown | April 16, 2008 11:33 AM
Posted on April 16, 2008 11:33
The gas prices is finally hurting the redneck ford truckers, so now they buy the ford focus. they couldn't care less about the design, platform, etc. "its ford tough"
Posted by nodos | April 16, 2008 1:24 PM
Posted on April 16, 2008 13:24
does this new platform in 2010 mean that they are going to stop this beautiful design in 2010 already?
I better sock-up...
Posted by the dork retard | April 16, 2008 1:43 PM
Posted on April 16, 2008 13:43
Never in my life have I seen so many people complain about how poorly a company does one day, and the next complain about them doing well. It's ridiculous, especially in this economic slump, since autonomous consumption (i.e. auto sales) is way down, and for it to go back up would be a bonus to us all. So quit complaining, I seriously doubt that Ford is going to change their plans for the '10 Focus, since they cited engineering costs as their main motivation for bringing international models here.
Posted by John P | April 16, 2008 1:44 PM
Posted on April 16, 2008 13:44
I think its ugly, but congrats to Ford. I'm just glad that small cars are selling well in general.
Posted by gm0n3y | April 16, 2008 2:24 PM
Posted on April 16, 2008 14:24
This is proof that American consumers are idiots. Yes, I am an American.
Posted by Topper | April 16, 2008 2:36 PM
Posted on April 16, 2008 14:36
The European model is much better and US keep buing this sxxx model......
Posted by Fumaka | April 16, 2008 4:18 PM
Posted on April 16, 2008 16:18
I guess that I am in the minority as well. I like the redesign of the Ford Focus. We have several new sedans in our fleet. In terms of interior materials and fit and finish it is worlds apart that the previous generation. Prior to this model, Toyota was selling their Corolla sedan on a freshened platform that is at least as old as the Focus. I agree that the Euro-spec Focus is better dynamically and hopefully the US will see that in 2010. The '08 Focus is proof that a quality US compact car will sell.I am not a fanboy of Ford in particular, but am pleasantly surprised at the improvements of the recent Ford models. Maybe it is my age now or just my practical side winning out, but I am more concerned about this class of vehicle than that of a limited edition supercar that I will never be able to afford.
Posted by longdxcommuter | April 16, 2008 4:42 PM
Posted on April 16, 2008 16:42
Ford hopes to use [nano] in a press release to help recover shrinking market share.
http://www.dailytech.com/Ford+to+Use+Nanotechnology+to+Improve+Vehicle+Performance+Fuel+Efficiency/article11516.htm
I only see lots of these domestic ugly in car rental company?
Posted by will | April 16, 2008 5:00 PM
Posted on April 16, 2008 17:00
While the car may be a vast improvement over the last generation, it's really Ford's marketing department that's responsible for the success of the car. I wouldn't even think of buying a Focus until they bring the European model to the US.
Posted by D! | April 16, 2008 5:48 PM
Posted on April 16, 2008 17:48
Looks like sensible car to me. A car for people who would like to spend their money on things other than gas.
Fords best vehicle in my opinion.
Posted by Bill O | April 16, 2008 6:26 PM
Posted on April 16, 2008 18:26
I would have to agree that it's one of their best vehicles, but I think they need to cut that production number back down to around 220,000 even in the most optimistic outlook. Just because people are buying them up this year doesn't mean that they will be next year. I agree with Cheap Car Lover; scarcity can be a good thing.
Posted by DivideByZero | April 16, 2008 11:16 PM
Posted on April 16, 2008 23:16
ROTFL at you three rednecks who STILL support Bush....and big surprise, you also love FORD (and I'm sure all domestic) rental grade cars and trucks. You realize crude has tripled in price since he took office...
Posted by Noya | April 17, 2008 1:06 AM
Posted on April 17, 2008 01:06
Well if they're selling that, imagine how the 2010 Focus will sell.....
Could it be because consumer doesn't have as many customizing options as in the recent Need for Speed games?
I personally don't hate the car but would look elsewhere for a compact car. Current focus is just a heavy version of previous self. Compact cars need to be compact and lightweight again...
Otherwise I love reading these discussions between the discussions between "rednecks" and "know-it-all-heads-in-their-ass liberals".
Posted by SVT | April 17, 2008 9:31 AM
Posted on April 17, 2008 09:31
I like the new Focus. Sure it's on a old platform, but it's been proven to be a pretty good platform. Ford will switch over to the new platform in a fews years when the company will globalize. it's whole lineup.
Posted by SteelCity1981 | April 17, 2008 11:05 PM
Posted on April 17, 2008 23:05
I thought this Focus wieghted 60 pounds less than the old one?
Posted by Madchiller | April 21, 2008 9:10 PM
Posted on April 21, 2008 21:10
I'm coming out of the closet... I like the style of this car... *gasp!!!* I think people are hating on it because they are mad that Ford didn't bring the Euro version here. I'm all about all the great updates they made to it. I mean compare a fully loaded 2008 Focus to the fully loaded 2007 Focus and you won't believe what you see. A 5-6 mpg change, less cheap plastic and not as bland, modern interior, SYNC, coupe version, weighs 60 lbs. less, and a quieter and smoother ride. I mean seriously people, it's not as bad you think. Although I would greatly appreciate it if Ford did bring over the Euro Focus. Oh well that's why we're getting the Fiesta, right?
Posted by Tyler | July 3, 2008 12:33 PM
Posted on July 3, 2008 12:33