RichardJensen Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 As others have noted, it debuted just as gas prices were increasing and the economy was starting to implode. Buyers began placing more importance on good gas mileage and a low price just as this Focus debuted. That Focus may not have been the perfect car, but it was the right car at the right time. I defy anyone to produce a positive review of that car. Motor Trend called it 'the most cynical car of 2008'. Yet it sold, and sold exceptionally well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 ...........I DO remember rather inflated incentives helping it sell well...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonj80 Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 Not to worry they are going to rip apart the MKX and say it is just a fancy Edge and that everyone should just buy the edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 I defy anyone to produce a positive review of that car. Motor Trend called it 'the most cynical car of 2008'. Yet it sold, and sold exceptionally well. exceptionally well? that is an overstatement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old_fairmont_wagon Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 While I'm obviously no expert on the national auto business, I can provide this information: As the resident "car guy" in my wife and my extended families, I've been a party to the automotive purchases for almost all of them for the last 20 years or so. That's going on over 100 car purchases so far, with another one coming up in two months. In my experience with this group of people, ranging in age from High School Students to elderly grandparents, only two people even knew that the car magazines still existed and only one of those had even read an article out of them. The absolute main driving forces for the purchases have been Price and perceived quality of the brand. Almost everyone has known what type of car they want (minvan, SUV, Truck, Little fun coupe, etc) most had a couple of brands that they would consider buying from because they thought they made good vehicles, and they had a budget that they couldn't go above to get the car they wanted. Only two guys cared about performance numbers. Many of them wanted to make sure that their vehicle is safe. By in large, their automotive purchases have been just like their appliance purchases, they wanted something reliable and affordable. The younger buyers thought a bit more about how the car looked, but still didn't really change their minds over that. From this, I can safely say, the vast majority of the car market is looking for an automotive appliance. You and I can site a handful of vehicles that are decent buys, have excellent performance for the money, but just aren't popular. We can also site dozens of vehicles that are absolute snooze-mobiles, but sell in big numbers because they are the ultimate in automotive appliances. People that aren't "car" people don't read about and even obsess about cars. They buy one, ignore the entire industry until that one starts to show its age, and then go out and buy another one. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 exceptionally well? that is an overstatement. Well it had an impressive sales bump over the previous generation car and hey didn't even sell without losing money too? From the info I found it had a 22K sales increase over the 2007 MY Focus..which fell 35K from 2004 MY..but we also had a completely different economy back then too. meanwhile, the 2012 and newer cars are selling over 200K units a year...which is pretty impressive itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 exceptionally well? that is an overstatement. For 2008, when the overall market was down almost as much as the Focus was up, no, it's not an overstatement http://www.edmunds.com/autoobserver-archive/2009/01/2008-us-auto-sales-are-worst-since-1992.html Focus up 22%, overall market down 18%. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZanatWork Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 So you really do believe that Camry buyers have entirely different motivations for their purchases. Camry buyers are drones buying out of habit, while Fusion buyers are independent thinkers who are buying cars because they are objectively superior. I won't generalize quite that far, but I will state that, from plenty of personal experience and my own time in the automotive sector, Camry and Corolla buyers are more likely to actually embrace the concept of the vehicle as an "appliance", as opposed to caring about the ride/handling/performance and the overall driving experience. The Camry had existed for about 20 years when the Fusion came on, and it had to overcome perception issues that were not helping Ford at the time. It is what it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 For 2008, when the overall market was down almost as much as the Focus was up, no, it's not an overstatement http://www.edmunds.com/autoobserver-archive/2009/01/2008-us-auto-sales-are-worst-since-1992.html Focus up 22%, overall market down 18%. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98GMLS Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 Ford needs to put this motor in the Fusion, as a Sport or ST. That car needs a performance version. Crazy that there is no V6 in this car, when Camry, Accord and Altima, the three best selling Mid size cars all offer V6's. Need this in the Mustang as well, as a gap from the 2.3 to the 5.0. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 Here is my 2008 Focus I had for several months that year-right after their dealer show and almost an exact replica of what they showed....actually a pretty good looking car. On another note....not sure how the hell you post pics??? Maybe I am limited to copying and pasting since I am on a work laptop! http://www.blueovalforums.com/forums/index.php?/gallery/image/151-wheel2/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydro Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 (edited) What drives me nuts is that the SPORT doesn't come with a trailer hitch. How can you have Sport and not offer a hitch, isn't that what a sport edition vehicle should come with? You can get the 2.7L Titanium with a hitch, but not a Sport. The Titanium doesn't look as good. Hopefully Ford will add it later?? I was wrong on the 2.7 for Titanium. Just a 2.0 is offered. Edited August 5, 2015 by Hydro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 (edited) my guess Hydro is the 2.7 doesn't allow any space for additional coolers etc...OR it hasn't been developed/ tested yet...just speculating....PS, ordering guide doesn't show 2.7 is avail in anything but the Sport... Edited August 4, 2015 by Deanh 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 Sport implies handling and speed, not towing. And the sport bumper did not accomodate the hitch in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 For 2008, when the overall market was down almost as much as the Focus was up, no, it's not an overstatement http://www.edmunds.com/autoobserver-archive/2009/01/2008-us-auto-sales-are-worst-since-1992.html Focus up 22%, overall market down 18%. what was the price of gas in 2008? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 what was the price of gas in 2008? There is a gas station near my Dads house that closed in 2009 and still has the price of unleaded regular on the sign. It says 1.98. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 (edited) what was the price of gas in 2008? You wouldn't be you, if you weren't moving goalposts. COROLLA: -5.8% http://www.clublexus.com/articles/toyota-reports-2008-and-december-sales/ CIVIC: -4.2% http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-honda-reports-2008-annual-and-december-monthly-sales-60748987.html COBALT: -6.3% http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2009/Jan/0105_DecSales2008.html G5: -8.9 http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2009/Jan/0105_DecSales2008.html ELANTRA: +10.5% http://www.hyundai-blog.com/hyundai-usa-reports-december-numbers-and-full-year-2008-sales/ SPECTRA: -6.8% http://www.kia-world.net/kia-of-usa-announces-december-2008-sales/ SENTRA: -6.3% http://www.cheersandgears.com/topic/27530-december-2008-sales-nissan-north-america/ MAZDA3: -8.5% http://www.cheersandgears.com/topic/27534-december-2008-sales-mazda-north-american-operations/ Edited August 4, 2015 by RichardJensen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 (edited) FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% http://jalopnik.com/5123670/ford-sales-drop-32-market-share-rises-07 So. What are you going to change the subject to now? Edited August 4, 2015 by RichardJensen 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydro Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 (edited) Sport implies handling and speed, not towing. And the sport bumper did not accomodate the hitch in the past. True, I was thinking "Sport Edition" meaning activities like mountain biking etc. where you can use a bike rack in the back, not necessarily being a tow monster. Edited August 5, 2015 by Hydro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Ford needs to put this motor in the Fusion, as a Sport or ST. That car needs a performance version. Crazy that there is no V6 in this car, when Camry, Accord and Altima, the three best selling Mid size cars all offer V6's. Need this in the Mustang as well, as a gap from the 2.3 to the 5.0. In another thread, about the Camry getting a Turbo 4 in it, the V6 sales are pretty damn small. The 2.3 Ecoboost/AWD from the Focus RS would make a perfectly fine ST or Sport model in the Fusion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Toyota has always been slow with ICE tech. So will Honda. They can label it "Earth Dreams" (sounds like a hippy came up with that one) is nothing more than a whack off fantasy branding. Now Toyota is wanting to put a paltry 2.0L Turbo 4 into the into that what BRZ coupe thingy? with what 240HP? It still won't be enough. And GM is introducing their (long in tooth, and already outclassed) 2.0L Turbo 4 with 260-270HP in the new Camaro to compete against the Mustangs 2.3L already with 310-315HP. That's "reacting" when Ford has been heavily investing in ICE. Camaro will have to hope it loses quite a bit of weight (something Ford is slow to work on other than the F150) to make those horses catch up to the Mustangs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 And GM is introducing their (long in tooth, and already outclassed) 2.0L Turbo 4 with 260-270HP in the new Camaro to compete against the Mustangs 2.3L already with 310-315HP. That's "reacting" when Ford has been heavily investing in ICE. Camaro will have to hope it loses quite a bit of weight (something Ford is slow to work on other than the F150) to make those horses catch up to the Mustangs. Well give GM credit since this is their standard engine-instead of some fairly expensive bump to get a little more horsepower and mileage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Well give GM credit since this is their standard engine-instead of some fairly expensive bump to get a little more horsepower and mileage. In the Mustang's defense, the Ecoboost model comes with alot more options on it...its the mid-range model, not the rental car special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% FOCUS +13.1% http://jalopnik.com/5123670/ford-sales-drop-32-market-share-rises-07 So. What are you going to change the subject to now? the Car was garbage. applauding a meager 13% increase sales for a car that replaced a vehicle that lagnquished on the market from 1999 until 2007. For reference Year US sales % increase over Peak % increase 1999 55,896 2000 286,166 2001 264,414 -8% -8% 2002 243,199 -9% -18% 2003 229,353 -6% -25% 2004 208,339 -10% -37% 2005 184,825 -13% -55% 2006 177,006 -4% -62% 2007 173,213 -2% -65% 2008 195,823 12% -46% 2009 160,433 -22% -78% 2010 172,421 7% -66% 2011 175,717 2% -63% 2012 245,922 29% -16% 2013 234,570 -5% -22% 2014 219,634 -7% -30% So....... the awesomely bland 2008 focus was not able to recover what was lost with the awful 2005 Restyle. the 2008 Treaded water, and then failed miserably in 2009. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 the 2008 Treaded water, and then failed miserably in 2009. Focus sales were down 18% in 2009. THE OVERALL MARKET WAS DOWN 22% http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/autos/2010-01-05-auto-sales_N.htm Corolla -15.4% Civic -23.5% Cobalt -44.3% G5 -51.4% Sentra -17.1% Elantra +9% Spectra/Forte +7.3% Focus -18.1% Context is your friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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