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2008 Ford Focus: Ford’s Commitment to Small Cars

Posted January 4, 2007 at 3:58 pm Make a Comment

Redesigned from the inside out, the 2008 Ford Focus brings a modern interior and bold new look. Joining the new Focus 4-door sedan is a sporty 2-door coupe.

The small car market is expected to grow 5 percent annually through 2008, accounting for one-third of all new-car sales. The evolution of the automotive marketplace, the influx of younger buyers and the instability of gas prices have led to the rebirth of the small car market. The new Focus is the first in a line of products that will demonstrate Ford’s renewed commitment to the market.

“The small car segment is not only growing, but it is changing,” says Cisco Codina, Ford group vice president. “Focus is coming to market with more content, more standard features and strong fuel economy, while remaining competitively priced. With its bold stance and improved driving characteristics, the new Focus will be a solid competitor in this segment.”

The 2008 Focus will stand strong in the face of today’s unstable gas prices. The C-sized Focus is expected to deliver B-car segment real-world fuel economy performance similar to the current model Focus, which delivers 37 mpg as rated by the EPA.

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254 COMMENTS ABOUT 2008 Ford Focus: Ford’s Commitment to Small Cars Make a Comment

Anonymous says (May 15, 2008 at 10:27 am):

I have a ford focus 04' svt and love it. What ford needs to do is beef the engine on the new focus 08' and make a svt version. I would go buy one very quickly, also to comment on all those mad about the design i agree and disagree. UPs Downs yes but overall nice car smooth drive, ford does need to come with hybrid i agree. Also need to bring hatchbacks back also just my opinion.

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Angela says (May 12, 2008 at 8:58 am):

My 2007 Ford Focus Hatchback is the 3 Focus Hatchback I've had. I love the car ... it's roomy, easy to drive, small enough for parking in NYC, great gas mileage. So when my dealer called to tell me about the 2008, I was thrilled to hear about the new features the car had but terribly disappointed Ford had discontinued the hatchback. I never liked the sedan now will I ever consider buying one. What Ford should have done was make a hybrid hatchback version to compete with the Yaris. I guess I'll keep my 2007 till the lease is up, then look at the other hatchbacks out there.

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karen dwajoski says (May 8, 2008 at 6:01 pm):

My Focus was a piece of junk!! I traded it for an 8 cylinder Explorer, which I love!! I don't care about the gas mileage, I care about durability and power. I would never go back to a 4 or 6 cylinder wind up toy!! We don't need more tiny cars. Bring back the 70s!!

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Dave says (May 7, 2008 at 10:49 pm):

Three things: What happened to the SVT/ST? My '05 ST gets great gas mileage and as a former owner of Barracudas, Road Runners, Probes, etc. I believe it offers "more fun per dollar" than any other car I've owned. You need to bring it back. That chrome thing on the front fender is atrocious. Get rid of it. That alone is enough to send me to Mazda. Where's the hybrid? C'mon.

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David Arriola says (May 4, 2008 at 8:37 pm):

I drove my 2008 Focus from Mexico to the US, and in Mexico thank God Ford brought the European Focus. I have to say that it is much much muchhh better than the american one. It is a shame that Ford does not care about the small car market. The interiors in my Focus are just way more refined than the ones in the American. I have had at least 3 persons asking me what kind of Focus is it, and they have been disappointed when I've told them that they can only buy it in Mexico. I hope Ford gets serious about compact cars in the US because gas prices are sky-rocketing!

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bco says (April 29, 2008 at 7:38 pm):

Updating the exterior while continuing the outdated chassis was bad enough, but this exterior completely loses the Focus brand identity and look. Someone on a Focus discussion board called it "uglified." Better to spend the R

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Nader Ab Fattah says (April 22, 2008 at 4:53 am):

In Egypt, we haven't had this shape yet, but still I see the previous one internally and externally fabulous. I’m not sure you enhanced the design of my very favorite brand. I know that having the experience of the car may change my mind, but unfortunately I can’t even afford the currently available Focus, the one that I really dream of.

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Average American says (April 18, 2008 at 12:06 am):

The 2008 Focus lacks luster!! it looks horrible!!!! I am 19 years old and i even think this car has a terrible looking body!!!

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Marvin Jonasen says (April 14, 2008 at 1:58 pm):

The Focus is a nice care, but I was horrified to get home with my new car and find that it no longer comes equipped with a spare tire--especially considering that no one at the dealership told me! Can someone please tell me where I can get a Spare Tire for my new 2008 Focus SE as--according to my dealer--Ford doesn't have an option available to order one?

John Matsukes says (May 2, 2008 at 9:56 am):

I would also like a spare tire in my 2008 Focus! If you find one let me know where I can get one too! The inflater kit just wont patch a half dollar sized hole!, Also, I recommend buying a new extra tire for the SES model as I have found out the size isn't a common one. I priced the tire Locally here and its just under $100.00. Another thing that bothers me is the book states that after you use the factory inflater kit they have to replace the pressure sensor (HOW MUCH WILL THAT COST?)

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Harvey says (April 14, 2008 at 1:38 pm):

boy get that European Focus over here ASAP.......this thing is a "Franken-Focus"......its so obvious that Ford raided several parts bins and came-up with this mutt. Reminds me of the ol ZX-2 in the dying days of the Escort. Just a hodge podge of left-overs served up to clear out old inventory...seriousl guys I know you can do better........I will say it looks somewhat better in real-life than in photos...

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Robert R says (April 10, 2008 at 1:11 am):

I recently bought a new coupe and I must say that I absolutely love it. Now I know it’s not the best car in the world but I must say for the money it a wonderful car. It’s good on gas, handles like a dream, has plenty of pep, and the Sync system is absolutely out of this world! But I also have to say that there is plenty of room for improvement. Four wheel disc breaks is a must, plus a few extra ponies under the hood would be nice. I, as much as any one, would much rather have the Euro Focus but it seems we are going to have to wait a few more years before we all can get our hands on one. In the mean time though, this little car isn’t too bad. Thumbs up Ford!

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Clive Q says (April 4, 2008 at 10:42 am):

It seems to me also a poor call to discontinue the hatch and wagon but the answer for doing so is most likely sales figures and not wanting to hurt the bottom end of more profitable or future product. The 3 door was primarily sold to young people who aren't yet earning much income. Hard market in which to be profitable. The wagon I don't know. Perhaps that small SUVs are available for not much more. As for bringing over cars from the UK, forget it. There small doesn't as much mean budget as it does here. Look at the Ford UK website and see that a 3 door Focus prices start at roughly 15,000 pounds. Thats over 29,000 dollars at todays exchange rate. It probably is a much better car than the US offering but the British are seemingly willing to pay for the additional engineering. Granted there are differences in economies to consider and I'm not saying the Focus would cost double what it does now but what if it were half again as expensive? Who here would now pay that?

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Glenda C says (April 3, 2008 at 11:37 am):

I have a 2005 Focus ZX5 Hatchback and love it. I was shocked to find out that Ford has discontinued making the hatchback. In 2010 I was planning on purchasing a newer model hatchback. Not sure what I will do now. Please bring back the hatchback. After reading all the comments on the European Focus I went and checked it out. It is so much better than what is offered here in the US.

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Nick Tarvin says (April 1, 2008 at 7:22 pm):

I love my 2008 focus. It has ample power, great handling and has a really good sound system. Its comfortable to drive and doesn't have a great deal of road noise. Very roomy and very functional control systems. I'm averaging 32 mpg and do better if we stay out of town. My son drives it to school and all his friends like it. So if you don't like it, you haven't driven it. Give it a shot before you slam it. If I could afford another one I'd buy it to replace my 96 Mazda. Good job Ford.

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Larry Hoskinson says (March 31, 2008 at 3:06 pm):

I thought Ford should have brought the Focus out in a Hybrid model, would have sold tons of them. Wish you guys would stop dragging your feet and get some of those models out that are shown at the shows, by the time they show up at the Dealerships the train will have already left the station. If were going to be leaders in sales we have to be leaders in futuristic models....

Wendy says (May 1, 2008 at 1:23 pm):

Amen Larry! I wish they would finally get around to putting the hybrid Fusion out that they promised YEARS ago. I love my 2002 Focus, but I want my next car to get 70 mpg, not 30. If Ford can't provide, I will be forced to look elsewhere... And that is hard to say, considering my family has been buying Ford exclusively for the last 25 years.

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focusdriver says (March 23, 2008 at 5:25 pm):

I love my focus an 05 and the 03 before that, both hatchbacks. now, as i am ready to buy another, i am forced away from Ford because of there idiot decision to get rid of the hatchback. i was in Italy last fall where there are great Ford's every where. i don't get it. I do start to understand why Ford struggles so much financially....give me a break!!

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Luis says (March 20, 2008 at 4:45 pm):

I agree with the good majority the Hatchback (3-door especially) should have never been dropped. And the European Focus >>>>>>>>>> than the American Focus. I'm sorry but the ST is infinitely better than any Focus I have ever seen (including the SVT). If you guys can bring us the new Fiesta, and the what will hopefully be Fusion-Mondeo inspired cars you can easily bring us the European Focus. Diesel if possible would also be appreciated.

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george says (March 14, 2008 at 9:39 am):

Looking at the new American Focus, one can truly wonder what in the world happened in the Ford HQ (again)? Why would anyone ruined the design of a such good selling car. Just glancing over at the other side of the pond to compare the two Focuses, render the US version highly impotent in terms of sportiness and refinement. And where is the hatch? What about the interior as well. Such a static to the point of boredom design language has been used. No one needs a scaled down "fivehundred" or "taurus", simply to fill the segment market. No more excitement, says Ford! Luckily there is a glimpse of hope in the forthcoming Fiesta! Just one final point, it is not the lack of highly capable designers we suffer, it's the clueless, bean counting and incompetent managers and CEO's ruining the American auto industry!

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