Ford has announced it will stop making the Focus, and it doesn’t seem like they’re planning to replace it with a similar car. The Puma is the closest option, but many find it unappealing. Why didn’t Ford just develop electric versions of the Focus and Fiesta instead?
My dad works at Dunton, and even the engineers are baffled by this decision. The Fiesta and Focus are market leaders with loyal followings. Axing them without proper replacements seems short-sighted, especially given their strong reputations.
Ford has already shifted focus away from passenger cars, leaning into commercial vehicles, pickups, and SUVs. They claim it’s more profitable. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ford Europe gets sold to VW eventually.
This is part of a broader trend where manufacturers are pushing SUVs and crossovers because they’re more profitable. Sadly, small cars like the Focus are becoming a thing of the past, even though many of us prefer them.
The public wants SUVs, and manufacturers are responding. It’s about maximizing profits. Small cars cost nearly as much to develop but sell for less, so they’re being phased out.
Ford is prioritizing SUVs and crossovers to appeal to the mass market, but this move alienates people who prefer practical, smaller cars. It’s a trend driven by profits rather than what everyone actually wants.
Axing both the Fiesta and Focus is one of the dumbest decisions Ford has ever made. These cars were iconic and widely loved. This is clearly driven by U.S. executives who don’t understand the European market.
I would’ve loved to see an electric Focus. Keeping the design and transitioning to EV would’ve been ideal, but instead, we get bulky crossovers like the Puma.
As someone who works in VW sales, I can confirm the Golf and Polo equivalents are still hugely popular. Ford dropping the Focus seems like they’re abandoning a solid revenue stream.
So glad I bought a Focus ST before they discontinued it. I’m not a fan of the Puma or Kuga as alternatives.
Ford’s decision to phase out their smaller cars feels like a move that will backfire in the long run. The Focus was a perfect balance of affordability and practicality.
The main driver here is EVs. Small cars like the Fiesta or Focus would need to sell for much higher prices as EVs, which doesn’t align with their target market. Manufacturers are prioritizing larger, more profitable models instead.
The Focus and Fiesta sold well in the UK, but globally, they didn’t perform as strongly. Ford is likely cutting losses in Europe to focus on more profitable markets.
One big issue with EVs is that smaller cars can’t easily accommodate large batteries. That’s part of why Ford is pivoting to larger vehicles like the Puma and Explorer.
Ford is struggling with supply chain issues and seems to be prioritizing high-margin vehicles. It’s unfortunate, but it’s the reality of the automotive industry in 2024.
This feels like the beginning of the end for Ford Europe. The Focus and Fiesta were staples, and losing them without strong replacements could hurt their brand.
It seems like Ford is losing focus—pun intended.