ZanatWork Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Only one, and only on one day. Sorry, no pics...had no idea it'd be there.I know there's been back-and-forth about it coming over here...but I gotta say, I hope it does. It was far more attractive than the C-Max. Judging by the fascia and overall appearance, it was a fairly high-end model.Anyone have any insight on this? I'd think a non-hybrid wagon for the segment could be a solid idea.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Only one, and only on one day. Sorry, no pics...had no idea it'd be there. I know there's been back-and-forth about it coming over here...but I gotta say, I hope it does. It was far more attractive than the C-Max. Judging by the fascia and overall appearance, it was a fairly high-end model. Anyone have any insight on this? I'd think a non-hybrid wagon for the segment could be a solid idea.... Since FoE has so much unused capacity, I would think it would be a no brainer to export 30,000-40,000 Focus wagons from Valencia to the states. I really don't think Ford dealers would have trouble selling at least 30,000 wagons/year that get 30mpg in mixed driving. Keep European factories a little busier and pick up a little extra maket share in states. Beats spending $750 million to close down another factory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jniffen Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 That is a good point. If the Euro factories are down in demand, send a few over this way in an attempt to pick up a few more sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 That is a good point.If the Euro factories are down in demand, send a few over this way in an attempt to pick up a few more sales. I believe the new TC minivan coming to states this fall is built at FoE Valencia, Spain plant. Bring the Focus wagon with it. Nice people mover play with TC passenger van, Focus wagon, and C Max built here. And all three get very good to great fuel mileage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
probowler Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Pictures woulda been cool. I haven't seen this yet and am too lazy to google it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZanatWork Posted March 30, 2013 Author Share Posted March 30, 2013 I'm going to be watching the dealership closely, I pass it a lot. If I can sneak a pic or two, I will. It frankly killed the C-Max visually. For some of us that are leery of the extra complication of a hybrid, it'd be a great option to have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKII Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 (edited) Actually the Focus wagon is built in Saarlouis, Germany. Here are mine (just sold the MK1 -silver one) lousy phone pic Edited March 30, 2013 by MKII 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 I can imagine Ford of Europe plants shipping partially completed Focus wagons state-side without any drive train installed and once they get to MAP, they would shunt into the line and have the engine/transmissions installed. Any other incidental items unique to the US market place can also be installed during this phase....20K-40K unit sales in addition to overall Focus sales would be a huge plus. This would further validate the "One Ford" concept and if Focus wagon is a hit, then a dedicated assembly can be planned for MAP..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScapeTom Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 It looks a little bit like a smaller version of the Escape. Interesting... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 And I saw a Ford Galaxy driving into Chrysler HQ on Monday....nothing to get excited about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Rosadini Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Agree on the Focus wagon. As a guy who has owned nothing but Fords for 40+ years my wife is giving me heat about replacing her 04 Explorer (her third Explorer) with a new Pilot. She claims she is not comfortable with the rear visibility of any of the new Ford products-Edge, Explorer (she has driven those) and Escape-although she hasn't driven that. When I say.."use the camera, use your mirrors etc" the response is.. "the camera is not on when I'm going down the road blah blah". She is 5'-2"-probably not a unique complaint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 (edited) Agree on the Focus wagon. As a guy who has owned nothing but Fords for 40+ years my wife is giving me heat about replacing her 04 Explorer (her third Explorer) with a new Pilot. She claims she is not comfortable with the rear visibility of any of the new Ford products-Edge, Explorer (she has driven those) and Escape-although she hasn't driven that. When I say.."use the camera, use your mirrors etc" the response is.. "the camera is not on when I'm going down the road blah blah". She is 5'-2"-probably not a unique complaint. Why would anybody concerned about safety prefer a small compact wagon over a larger SUV, so they can see the bumper coming at their face easier? Edited March 30, 2013 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Why would anybody concerned about safety prefer a small compact wagon over a larger SUV, so they can see the bumper coming at their face easier? Why would anyone try to apply logic to what a female wants? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Re: Exporting Focus wagons to NA. That would be a money loser now and into the foreseeable future. It is far wiser to deal with overcapacity at once than to 'die of a thousand cuts' by exporting thousands or tens of thousands of vehicles to the US, all to be sold at a loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pictor Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Agree on the Focus wagon. As a guy who has owned nothing but Fords for 40+ years my wife is giving me heat about replacing her 04 Explorer (her third Explorer) with a new Pilot. She claims she is not comfortable with the rear visibility of any of the new Ford products-Edge, Explorer (she has driven those) and Escape-although she hasn't driven that. When I say.."use the camera, use your mirrors etc" the response is.. "the camera is not on when I'm going down the road blah blah". She is 5'-2"-probably not a unique complaint. Tell her to watch out for the inside self washing "feature" on the Pilot. A colleague has one that has leak that no one can find that sprays water in the front passenger compartment, he says that it is a common complaint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 (edited) This is the enigma that will follow Ford for a few years, the diversity in the Focus and Mondeo range means that there are far more vehicles available than ever, but does that mean Ford should be offering all of them in the USA? Is the market now that fragmented that Ford should consider a Focus Wagon as well as C-max and Escape? Should Ford also consider Mondeo hatch, Station Wagon and S-max alongside Fusion sedan and Edge? Maybe, just maybe now that Ford is reducing platform count, it can begin to look at diversity across the range... One thing is for sure, Ford has a comprehensive suite of vehicles at its disposal, should the need arise.. GM has Cruze available globally as sedan, hatch and S/W, Orlando and is working on a Delta II SUV, so in that regard Ford has all of those products covered and then some especially with EUCD/CD4. Edited March 30, 2013 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark B. Morrow Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Agree on the Focus wagon. As a guy who has owned nothing but Fords for 40+ years my wife is giving me heat about replacing her 04 Explorer (her third Explorer) with a new Pilot. She claims she is not comfortable with the rear visibility of any of the new Ford products-Edge, Explorer (she has driven those) and Escape-although she hasn't driven that. When I say.."use the camera, use your mirrors etc" the response is.. "the camera is not on when I'm going down the road blah blah". She is 5'-2"-probably not a unique complaint. The Flex has excellent sightlines. Unless she hates the looks. It isn't that much different in utility from her Explorer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Rosadini Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 The Flex has excellent sightlines. Unless she hates the looks. It isn't that much different in utility from her Explorer. Mark, you are correct- I got her to sit in one and she agreed that this was a Ford with good sightlines. Not crazy about size though-and I hate to spend a lot of money on something I believe has a dim future. Oh and Borg- I think she is less worried about someone hitting her vs. her hitting something because she feels her visibility is lousy. Hopefully my dealer can find a low mileage clean 2010 Explorer without a "highwater mark" in it Pictor-I'll mention the "leaker" issue but we have a friend who is pushing 200,000 trouble free "dry" miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 Re: Exporting Focus wagons to NA. That would be a money loser now and into the foreseeable future. It is far wiser to deal with overcapacity at once than to 'die of a thousand cuts' by exporting thousands or tens of thousands of vehicles to the US, all to be sold at a loss. citation Richard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 Since FoE has so much unused capacity, I would think it would be a no brainer to export 30,000-40,000 Focus wagons from Valencia to the states. I really don't think Ford dealers would have trouble selling at least 30,000 wagons/year that get 30mpg in mixed driving. Keep European factories a little busier and pick up a little extra maket share in states. Beats spending $750 million to close down another factory. I agree 100% That is a good point.If the Euro factories are down in demand, send a few over this way in an attempt to pick up a few more sales. It makes sense. I believe the new TC minivan coming to states this fall is built at FoE Valencia, Spain plant. Bring the Focus wagon with it. Nice people mover play with TC passenger van, Focus wagon, and C Max built here. And all three get very good to great fuel mileage. Mark, you are correct- I got her to sit in one and she agreed that this was a Ford with good sightlines. Not crazy about size though-and I hate to spend a lot of money on something I believe has a dim future. Oh and Borg- I think she is less worried about someone hitting her vs. her hitting something because she feels her visibility is lousy. Hopefully my dealer can find a low mileage clean 2010 Explorer without a "highwater mark" in it Pictor-I'll mention the "leaker" issue but we have a friend who is pushing 200,000 trouble free "dry" miles. the flex is huge, and fuel eocnomy suck compared to Focus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 (edited) citation Richard? Simple: FoE barely made any money off those products when they were running over 100% capacity. Throw in lower ATPs in the US, higher transportation costs, and the 2.5% duty on EU vehicles, and it's pretty clear that exporting Focuses from Europe to the US would be a money loser on an absolute cost basis. You remember absolute cost basis, right? That's how Ford handles COGS, and it's business unit neutral. Edited March 31, 2013 by RichardJensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 Simple: FoE barely made any money off those products when they were running over 100% capacity. Throw in lower ATPs in the US, higher transportation costs, and the 2.5% duty on EU vehicles, and it's pretty clear that exporting Focuses from Europe to the US would be a money loser on an absolute cost basis. You remember absolute cost basis, right? That's how Ford handles COGS, and it's business unit neutral. So I guess Ford is losing money on the new TC passenger van shown at L.A. Auto Show and being exported from Europe. And TC made in Turkey. Including the Focus wagon is wrong headed, but TC is different somehow because it retails at exorbinant price of $24,000 or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 (edited) Simple: FoE barely made any money off those products when they were running over 100% capacity. Throw in lower ATPs in the US, higher transportation costs, and the 2.5% duty on EU vehicles, and it's pretty clear that exporting Focuses from Europe to the US would be a money loser on an absolute cost basis. You remember absolute cost basis, right? That's how Ford handles COGS, and it's business unit neutral. It seems to me like you are guessing, just Admit it, you really don't know. you are just making assumptions, without any data to support what you are Parroting as Fact Edited March 31, 2013 by Biker16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 you are just making assumptions, without any data to support what you are Parroting as Fact Hello Pot......meet Kettle....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
probowler Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 Mark, you are correct- I got her to sit in one and she agreed that this was a Ford with good sightlines. Not crazy about size though-and I hate to spend a lot of money on something I believe has a dim future. Oh and Borg- I think she is less worried about someone hitting her vs. her hitting something because she feels her visibility is lousy. Hopefully my dealer can find a low mileage clean 2010 Explorer without a "highwater mark" in it Pictor-I'll mention the "leaker" issue but we have a friend who is pushing 200,000 trouble free "dry" miles. DO IT. The updated Flex looks awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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