Just earlier today, Ford announced plans to close up to 3 plants and reduce model variants in Europe. The Focus seems to be one of the models targeted for discontinuation.
This follows the end of the Focus nameplate in North America, the phasing out of the Focus sedan in many European markets, and even the discontinuation of the Focus Active (which I believe is no longer sold in China either).
Yet as recently as 2014, the Focus was the world’s best-selling car, even outselling the Corolla. It was a decent car by most accounts, often regarded as a better compact sedan than competitors like the Altima or Jetta.
Personally, I blame the Powershift transmission for its downfall, but is that fair? After all, JATCO is still around despite its reputation for unreliable CVTs. Could one bad transmission really sink an entire model nameplate?
I owned a 2012 Titanium Hatchback, and I actually loved the car—except for the DCT. That transmission ruined it. I’d still have it today if it weren’t for that issue. Honestly, I’m considering getting another Focus, but this time an ST with a manual transmission for daily driving.
@Yan
I rented one with the Powershift, and I was horrified. It felt like the transmission was jerking and slipping during every stop-and-go situation. A quick Google search confirmed my fears—this is just how bad the Powershift is. Truly shocking.
@Whit
My first car was a 2014 Focus SE. I noticed some jerking from the transmission, but I didn’t know it was an issue until I traded it for my BRZ. I’m just glad I got rid of it before the problems escalated.
In the U.S., sales have been dropping for years, and they’re now less than half of what they were when the current generation launched. The Corolla outsold the Focus by 45,000 units in 2012, even when the Focus was newer. The reality is, there’s just no market in the U.S. for so many compact sedans anymore.
@Sky
Another way to put it is that Ford failed to compete in the market. I looked at the Focus when shopping for a new car, but other options like the Corolla and Civic simply offered more—whether it was better handling, more power, or a lower price for similar features.
@Sky
Compact sedans target younger buyers, but with student loans, high rents, and low wages, many young people can only afford used cars. That hurts new car sales for this segment.
I was excited when I bought my 2012 Focus. It had great handling, good power, and a practical interior. But after 18 months of fighting with the DCT, I gave up and switched to a Mazda3. Ford’s inability to fix the issue really soured me on the brand.
@Sky
I had a similar experience. The DCT was a constant headache, and I eventually traded my Focus for a Fusion, which also had transmission quirks. It’s a shame because the manual Focus models are great cars.
The Focus is still doing well in Europe, but in the U.S., the shift toward crossovers and SUVs has made compact cars less popular. Hatchbacks, in particular, have a stigma as ‘cheap’ vehicles here, which doesn’t help.
Gas prices are low, and crossovers have gotten cheaper while improving in fuel economy. Small cars like the Focus just don’t have the same value proposition they used to.
I have a 2012 Focus, and while the transmission is frustratingly jerky, I got a great deal on it ($14k new). It’s been a fun and reliable commuter car otherwise.