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First generation North American Focus models paralleled the international Focus using the C170 platform for sedan, hatchback (3 and 5-door), and wagon configurations - with an intermediate facelift for the 2005 model year. Where second generation North American Focus models continue with the C170 platform beginning with model year 2008 - in sedan and coupe configurations - the international Focus introduced in 2005 employs the newer C1 platform for sedan, hatchback (3 and 5-door), and wagon configurations. Focus production in North America had been shared between Wayne Stamping & Assembly in Wayne, Michigan (sedans and wagons) and Hermosillo Stamping & Assembly in Hermosillo, Mexico (hatchback models) before consolidation of all production at Wayne Assembly in 2006. The Focus replaced the Ford Escort/Mercury Tracer and Ford Contour/Mercury Mystique in North America and won North American Car of the Year award for 2000 (the Ford Focus (international) won European Car of the Year in 1999). Together with their global siblings, Focus models rank as the 40th bestselling automotive nameplate worldwide, with over 5 million sold. While U.S. sales of the Focus peaked in 2000 at 286,000 vehicles, the Wall Street Journal reported in May, 2009 an estimate that the Ford Focus lost as much as $1 billion a year. Following Ford's decision in late 2008, the North American version of Focus will be discontinued starting the 2012 model year, in favor of the international Mk3 model, that will be launched worldwide in May 2011. Therefore, the current Ford Focus release will end with the model year 2011 in October 2010. |
