After first hitting the shelves in 1998, Ford Focus is terminally ill. An email from Fin Thomasena, Ford’s head of European communications, to Motor1.com has confirmed his company’s previous intentions to cease production Focus by November of this year, rather than the 2025 deadline that was previously set. As no progression or replacements are being created, this marks the end of the unbelievable life cycle of one of the most legendary compact cars of all time.
Currently, buyers can still place custom orders for the Ford Focus, but that option is likely to be removed once November’s production cutoff date is reached. After that cutoff date passes, customers will not be able to place custom orders and will instead need to select from a limited inventory of pre-built vehicles. If you have been wanting a customized Ford Focus, now is the perfect moment to strike before that opportunity is gone.
A VERY IMPORTANT MODEL
The Ford Focus: An Era comes to a close with it’s Last Ride due to evolving Market Trends
Since the inception of the Ford Focus, it has been an integral aspect of Ford’s success in the European automobile industry. It came as a sis of the Ford Escort. However, dwindling sales and a market perpetually controlled by SUVs and crossovers has forced Ford to retire the Focus whilst escorting it to the grave without a direct successor.
This decision comes during a challenging buying period for the automaker. Sale in Europe including UK and EFTA saw a dip of 17%, moving only 426307 units and capturing Ford’s market share of 3.3%, a drop from 4% in 2023. Now, starting 2025, things have tough market share is 3.2% in Jan compared to 3.5% in Jan of 2024. To make things worse Volume of sales has dipped 12.2%.
The retirement of the focus follows Fiesta’s dissection, leaving Ford without its historically important model. However, the brand is bending over its crossover and SUV lineup, including Kuga and Puma, the latter of which now offers an electric variant. Ford’s electric vehicle portfolio also includes the new explorer and the recently launched Capri Crossover, both are built on the MEB platform of the Volkswagen Group. The departure of the focus is likely to benefit the contestants in the compact C-segment, such as the Volkswagen Golf, which will withstand a low rival in the market.