Harley Lover Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 (edited) Embedded in a Ford announcement delaying the intro of the 2009 F-150 for 2 months is the following nugget: Next-generation, European Ford Focus and Fiesta small cars to begin production in North America in 2010, as Ford confirms it is revising its product plan to add more small cars, crossovers and fuel-efficient powertrains, including many from Ford's acclaimed European lineup. How does this timing alter what we think we know about the overall changes envisioned for Ford's manufacturing plants? More: In addition to hatchback and sedan versions of the European-engineered Ford Fiesta small car that goes on sale in North America in early 2010, Ford is announcing today that four- and five-door versions of the next-generation European Ford Focus small car will be produced in North America beginning in late 2010. Wow! And: Wayne Assembly Plant's body and paint shops will add a third shift, and the line-speed will be increased for final assembly production of the popular Ford Focus small car. This is, of course, for the current Focus model. Edited June 20, 2008 by Harley Lover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 How does this timing alter what we think we know about the overall changes envisioned for Ford's manufacturing plants? Doesn't really seem to change much of anything, unless the dates within the year have also changed. It has been known for some time that the Fiesta would arrive in late '09/early '10, Focus in mid-late '10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harley Lover Posted June 20, 2008 Author Share Posted June 20, 2008 Does the addition of a third shift for Wayne pretty much 'seal the deal' that the next Gen Focus will be manufactured there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 Does the addition of a third shift for Wayne pretty much 'seal the deal' that the next Gen Focus will be manufactured there? Not necessarily. I would say it makes it more likely, but keep in mind the number of other plants in that region where the workers could be shifted around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wescoent Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 5-door, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 5-door, eh? I think it was always a given that the hatchback variants would return to the US market with the next Focus redesign. We'll probably see the 2-door go bye-bye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaydez Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 I will be first in line for a next-gen Focus 5 door. It will be replacing my Fusion.... after having this car for 2 years I determined that sedans suck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenn678 Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 I hope the 2 (3-door) doesn't go "bye-bye". I'd like to be able to replace my 3-door SVT with a new one in a few years. Although a 3-door Fiesta RS could possibly change my mind...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igor Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 also note that the PR confirms a new DI engine and 6 speed transmission for the new Focus. Igor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKII Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 Ford Fiesta small car that goes on sale in North America in early 2010, So this is as expected as a MY2011. The next-generation European Ford Focus small car will be produced in North America beginning in late 2010. This is now confirmed for MY2011, whereas MY2011 or MY2012 dates were mentioned. So Europe gets the new Fiesta 2 years earlier then N.A, and the MKIII Focus 1 year earlier. Euro Fiesta will be MY2009 and MKIII Focus will be MY2010. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igor Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 Ford Fiesta small car that goes on sale in North America in early 2010,So this is as expected as a MY2011. The next-generation European Ford Focus small car will be produced in North America beginning in late 2010. This is now confirmed for MY2011, whereas MY2011 or MY2012 dates were mentioned. So Europe gets the new Fiesta 2 years earlier then N.A, and the MKIII Focus 1 year earlier. Euro Fiesta will be MY2009 and MKIII Focus will be MY2010. there has been NO confirmation of the MkIII Focus time line for Europe - the 2010 CY seems perfectly in line for EU Launch as well - the EU and US Launches of the C2 MkIII Focus will be within months of each other. The delay for Fiesta comes from the fact that the Fiesta needs modifications for US market - it was not developped as aglobal car (despite wast mainstream media loves to regurgitate) - the US and EU model will be almost identical on the surface, but there will be significant changes under the skin. The US model was added in 2006. The C2 MkIII Focus is a global car however - no modifications under the skin - not substantial ones anyways. Igor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 I hope the 2 (3-door) doesn't go "bye-bye". I'd like to be able to replace my 3-door SVTwith a new one in a few years. Although a 3-door Fiesta RS could possibly change my mind...... I was referring to the 2-door coupe, not the 3-door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylork Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 also note that the PR confirms a new DI engine and 6 speed transmission for the new Focus. Could someone post the link to this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spudz64 Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 (edited) Ford press release here: Edited June 20, 2008 by spudz64 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battyr Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 The article says that the new fusion will be out this year with hybrid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 The article says that the new fusion will be out this year with hybrid. Yes, that was also already known. Launch was expected in December. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordowner Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 I'm just hoping they can find some more batteries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolphy Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 Isn't this old news? I thought it was already well known that the new Focus would be in the US in 2010. I remember reading this over a year ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
focus05 Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 Are they using the same battery supplier or have they switched to Johnson Controls? I know JC is working on their Li-ion battery packs, but I didn't know if they had NiMH production as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildosvt Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 Does the addition of a third shift for Wayne pretty much 'seal the deal' that the next Gen Focus will be manufactured there? The 3rd shift is for body and paint only. Final assy is still running 2 shifts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblood Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 If they don't sell either a 3 door Fiesta or Focus hatch here by then they are really stupid, the more options, the better, that might be the first time in my life I don't buy a Ford, all I want is a damn 2 door hatch to replace my ZX3. Ford until recently sold 4 versions of the Focus, they need to get on board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford-150 Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 If they don't sell either a 3 door Fiesta or Focus hatch here by then they are really stupid, the more options, the better, that might be the first time in my life I don't buy a Ford, all I want is a damn 2 door hatch to replace my ZX3. Ford until recently sold 4 versions of the Focus, they need to get on board. they will.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 (edited) With the notable exception of the delayed '09 F-150, this is great news. Essentially, it confirms the ambitious time table I had been doubting all along. We haven't even seen evidence of the next gen Focus running around yet but we will see it in less than 2 years. I was hoping for some confirmation on the Kuga just to spice things up a bit Edited June 21, 2008 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehaase Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 I'm glad the 5 door is coming back, but I wish the wagon were coming back, although it probably won't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igor Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 With the notable exception of the delayed '09 F-150, this is great news. Essentially, it confirms the ambitious time table I had been doubting all along. We haven't even seen evidence of the next gen Focus running around yet but we will see it in less than 2 years. I was hoping for some confirmation on the Kuga just to spice things up a bit they did - they explicitly mentioned "crossovers from Europe - there is only one. Igor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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