Next-Generation Ford Focus Due for April Reveal
Given the recent introduction of a new Expedition, EcoSport, refreshed Edge, and reborn Ranger, it’s easy to forget Ford still sells small cars.
While the current-generation Fiesta subcompact took a pass on the American market, the Focus remains, and there’s a new generation waiting in the wings.
Would-be buyers can gaze beyond the camouflage at the next-gen Focus in April, according to Automotive News Europe, with the model forgoing an expected reveal at the March Geneva Motor Show. What can we expect out of the new Focus? Going by recent reports, a slightly larger vehicle, along with a lot less choice for consumers.
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Last year, Ford’s head of global markets, Jim Farley, said the next model won’t have the same volume as it once did. Not surprising, given the Focus’ falling fortunes. Sales of the Focus in the United States reached a high point of 245,992 vehicles in 2012, falling to 158,395 in 2017.
Chinese production should be up and running by the middle of next year, meaning a mid-to-late 2019 arrival on North American shores. Europeans will see the model first, likely by the end of this year.
[Source: Automotive News Europe]
A version of this story originally appeared on The Truth About Cars
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The original Focus was great - then we had the Focus for the rental fleets - the boring yeech model - will this new model be much more reliable than the dismal failure of the last Focus? How reliable will the transmissions be?
Please keep the Manual transmission as an option or even standard equip., and I hope they get rid of the 5 speed in the SE models and up everything to a 6 speed manual gearbox as a minimum.