Autocar - First for car news and reviews

The all-new Ford Focus will arrive in showrooms in early 2011 with the aim of finally dethroning the Volkswagen Golf as western Europe’s best-selling car, according to company sources.

The new Focus won’t just be 
a key player in Europe, either; it’s set to become a global car, to be sold in North America. The US version will be unveiled at the Detroit show in January, before the European car.

...Read the full article

 So, if the Autocar pics are right, just a swollen Fiesta then...

Why do some manufacturers seem to think that all their car ranges just have to be different sized versions of the same design. Its very tedious.

In the late nineties Ford had their 'new edge' styling theme, which I thought was great. The Ka, Puma and Focus all had their own individual style, yet somehow also had elements which tied them together.

Funny how nobody ever comments on how Mercs, BMW's and Audi's all look exactly alike!!!

You could easily say most manufacturers have a "swollen" or shrunken version of a car, eg new polo and golf.

 

HECHO EN MEXICO, ES NO BUENO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 MUY RUBBISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HyundaiSmoke:

HECHO EN MEXICO, ES NO BUENO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 MUY RUBBISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a suprise it's not a Hyundai, but will be a better drive and have better engines and let's be honest a bit more stylish. We have the i30 aka BMW 1 Series clone not a bad car but not a great car either.

I dont uderstand Fords current design trends . More sporty = harsher ride on our potholed roads. Lower = less glass area so harder to see out of. Doubtless more chrome trim inside to reflect on the windscreen mirrors etc making it even harder to see out of.

Is there really a demand for this in the small family car sector ? Good job the C max is coming as I would much rather have one of em as it may be much more practical as a family car. ie it will cope with a trip to IKEA the local tip and I can get my mountain bike in the back without faff. Commuting comfortably to work. Boring stuff I know but I am sure the mundane is what most of us use our cars for. To compete with the golf it needs class something Fords will never have I am afraid.

Surely if you would want something sporty for the same sort of money you would buy a Scirocco ?

Old Toad:

I dont uderstand Fords current design trends . More sporty = harsher ride on our potholed roads. Lower = less glass area so harder to see out of. Doubtless more chrome trim inside to reflect on the windscreen mirrors etc making it even harder to see out of.

Because some of the people who can only afford one car want to be able to enjoy that car, so they want it to look good and hadle well, but still be reasonably practical? How many times would most people actually use the extra space of a C-Max or similar?

 

Old Toad:

To compete with the golf it needs class something Fords will never have I am afraid.

Badge snobbery I'm afraid, just assuming that the Focus won't be as good before you've even seen it. Especially when VW admitted one of their main aims of the new golf was too make it cheaper than the previous one.

Autocar:

The all-new Ford Focus will arrive in showrooms in early 2011 with the aim of finally dethroning the Volkswagen Golf as western Europe’s best-selling car, according to company sources.

 

It will never outsell the Golf in europe because most european countries don't take Ford products that seriously. The Germans for instance, europes biggest market see Fords as being slightly lower down the food chain than Opels. It'll have no chance in that market against the Golf. However good it is it will only sell in very large numbers in the UK to fleet and hire companies.

As for the pictures, as others have said it looks like a Fiesta. Oh dear.

Old Toad:

I dont uderstand Fords current design trends . More sporty = harsher ride on our potholed roads. Lower = less glass area so harder to see out of. Doubtless more chrome trim inside to reflect on the windscreen mirrors etc making it even harder to see out of.

Is there really a demand for this in the small family car sector ? Good job the C max is coming as I would much rather have one of em as it may be much more practical as a family car. ie it will cope with a trip to IKEA the local tip and I can get my mountain bike in the back without faff. Commuting comfortably to work. Boring stuff I know but I am sure the mundane is what most of us use our cars for. To compete with the golf it needs class something Fords will never have I am afraid.

Surely if you would want something sporty for the same sort of money you would buy a Scirocco ?

That is exactly how Ford want the new focus to be pitched, more of a Sport hatch than family car and let the C Max take the more practical family car sales. Suppose in a way a 5 door coupe.....

'New Focus targets Golf'. Now there's a surprise. This writer is obviously exhausted.

if you want to see the pictures of hte new focus (artists impressions) go to AutoExpress website; there are easy to find.

i would also say that Ford is easily in the same bracket as VW and the new cars will be even better and ample to beat the golf.

what is funny about the Old Toad post is exactly what he says i.e. he does not want one of the sport cars (targeted at folks that what those cars), but would like a c-max, HELLO! you have accurately defined the makets the new Focus range (each model) fits in/is targetted at!

there are supposed to be bringing out a new Capri within the same range and thus the Ford range will compete with the VW range on all levels; Lincoln will then be brough over to the EU to compete with Audi and then the transformation is complete; I would imagine.

Wish it was as simple as badge snobbery but when you end up losing so much of your hard earned cash compared to a VW when you sell it on it is hard to justify. However as a nearly new buy the Focus will make much more sense.

I agree the Golf is cheaper to make than the old one and generally costs more than the old un to buy but surely VW is taking the advantage of the likes of me who will pay that bit extra to lose less in the long run.