05-24-2005, 12:23 AM
I don't think Ford is the one who's not paying attention.
We're the ones not paying attention!!!
the focus in north america is an entry level car, it's the goddamn echo.. it barely fits a niche market. The best selling car in the world, is not necessarily the money maker in north america.
The fact remains that Ford makes most of it's money from SUVs and Trucks, and the mustang. The focus won't be remembered in North America for it's good qualities, only that it came to market with so many recalls, and like the pinto, I'm sure ford NA is quite happy to just let it go and forget about it.
We need to also remember that ford in europe is a premium brand. We'd NEVER pay for a focus what the europeans are paying for theirs, that's for sure. The two markets can't be compared. If you want the new chasis, time to buy an NA premium brand like the Mazda 3 or Volvo s40. The chasis lives on in NA, just not the car per se.
i thought the SVT engine was a good compromise... it's relatively reliable, cheap to make... it's more a sport compact paradigm than the SRT-4 which sells merely for horsepower alone.
But maybe that's where ford falls short in it's vision. People don't want a balanced car, they want something they can brag about...maybe when they start building to that paradigm, they'll see more success in the sport compact scene in north america.
But then again, if you want a car you can just plain brag about, the cost of your SRT-4 will get you a mustang... there's still no replacement for displacement :P
We're the ones not paying attention!!!
the focus in north america is an entry level car, it's the goddamn echo.. it barely fits a niche market. The best selling car in the world, is not necessarily the money maker in north america.
The fact remains that Ford makes most of it's money from SUVs and Trucks, and the mustang. The focus won't be remembered in North America for it's good qualities, only that it came to market with so many recalls, and like the pinto, I'm sure ford NA is quite happy to just let it go and forget about it.
We need to also remember that ford in europe is a premium brand. We'd NEVER pay for a focus what the europeans are paying for theirs, that's for sure. The two markets can't be compared. If you want the new chasis, time to buy an NA premium brand like the Mazda 3 or Volvo s40. The chasis lives on in NA, just not the car per se.
i thought the SVT engine was a good compromise... it's relatively reliable, cheap to make... it's more a sport compact paradigm than the SRT-4 which sells merely for horsepower alone.
But maybe that's where ford falls short in it's vision. People don't want a balanced car, they want something they can brag about...maybe when they start building to that paradigm, they'll see more success in the sport compact scene in north america.
But then again, if you want a car you can just plain brag about, the cost of your SRT-4 will get you a mustang... there's still no replacement for displacement :P
Contribute to focuscanada.net's future!
Donations of $20 and over get a custom title!