Ford Confirms European Mk.III Focus for North America

Good news! This past Friday, Ford confirmed that it will be selling the

European Ford

Focus here in North America. It won't be the

second-generation European car that's been on sale since 2004, but rather

the all-new third-generation car which has yet to debut.

The

vehicle, which will return to its former “world car” status, will begin

production in North America during late 2010 for model year 2011. In

addition, Ford says it will offer the compact in two different body

styles – a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback. Potentially, if

sales and interest are brisk, we could see a three-door hatchback and

perhaps even a five-door wagon body style return as with the

first-generation car.

No particular

powertrains have been confirmed for the vehicle, although Ford says that

its engines will be direct injected (think EcoBoost), while

transmissions will include six-speed gearboxes. Besides

manual transmissions, Ford

may also offer a twin-clutch automated

manual, as it currently does on certain European models. Ford will also

introduce the Fiesta during 2010, and has plans to offer other European

products here in North America.

At the

same time, the Dearborn-based automaker also announced that it would be delaying the launch of

the new '09 F-150 until late autumn. One of the key reasons for this is

reduced demand for pickups, and Ford's stock of current-generation

'08 F-150s will need additional time to clear before the new model

arrives. Furthermore, Ford has increased shifts at the Oakville

Assembly plant which produces the Flex, Edge and MKX, as well as at the

Kansas Assembly plant which produces the Escape and Mariner compact

sport utility vehicles.