No More Focus ST: Hatchback's Death Will Leave Ford Without a Small Car In Europe
Ford has been selling hot hatches for more than four decades, but the automaker’s time in the segment is over. A UK executive from the company recently confirmed that it had stopped taking Focus ST orders, saying that all units through the end of production had been reserved.
Orders have stopped, but Ford expects dealers to have Focus ST inventory across most European markets for a while. However, once the supply is exhausted, the Blue Oval will be without a car on the continent, other than the very rare Mustang. The muscle car’s future in Europe is up in the air, though, as rapidly tightening emissions threaten to upend Ford’s ability to sell a V8-powered sports car.
Ford’s partnership with Volkswagen may yield new electrified cars in the future, as the two have dropped several hints about such a release in the past. That said, there’s no telling which direction the two might head.
The Blue Oval’s European sales have been on the decline, and Ford’s decision to cut cars has hastened the decline. The automaker saw just 149,601 deliveries in the EU, the UK, and other countries in April, while Volkswagen sold more than twice that amount, moving more than 488,000 cars. Hyundai and Kia both beat Ford in Europe, too, selling more than 180,000 and 170,000 units, respectively.
[Images: Ford]
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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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At least blue oval VeeDub EVs wouldn't have to be shipped to Europe. It's beginning to be a supply chain problem.
Ford keeps screwing up ! A wonder they are still around !
ford should never given up on cars ! Not everyone wants an SUV or EV !