Ford Focus production ends permanently after four generations

Ford has confirmed the permanent end of production for the Focus, whose first generation was launched in 1998.

A genuine fixture on European roads since the late 1990s, the Ford Focus has now bowed out after four generations and more than two decades on sale. Combining advanced technology, engaging road manners and increasingly polished styling, this key model in the American manufacturer's range was a mainstay of the compact hatchback market - a segment that is clearly no longer in favour.

The end of the iconic Ford Focus

At the end of September, Ford built the final Focus to wear the ST badge. The American car maker had already confirmed that production of its landmark hatchback would end, and since Saturday 15 November, the Saarlouis factory in Germany has stopped making the Focus for good; the plant is now up for sale. The Fiesta was also removed from the Ford line-up in 2023, while the Mondeo disappeared a year earlier.

Over almost three decades and four successive generations, the Ford Focus established itself as one of the automotive market's defining models. In total, 12 million examples were sold around the world. Its success was also, it must be acknowledged, greatly supported by the reputation of its particularly accomplished RS and ST performance variants, which were highly regarded by enthusiasts.

Ford shifts from compact hatchbacks to SUVs

By withdrawing from the compact hatchback segment, Ford is plainly closing a chapter in its history. The manufacturer will no longer offer a single compact model, choosing instead to focus its resources on the far more promising SUV market. Ford remains well equipped in this area, with the Kuga, Explorer, all-new Capri and Puma, the latter now also available in a fully electric version.

Ford's position in the European market

However, on the Old Continent, the Blue Oval brand has lost some of its lustre. In September, Ford sold just over 40,000 vehicles, placing it narrowly ahead of Tesla but well behind Mercedes, which recorded more than 67,000 sales, and far adrift of the Volkswagen Group, which approached 317,000 units. The result was eighth place in Europe for the month, a market share limited to 3.3% and a year-on-year decline of around 3.4%.

More recently, Ford chief executive Jim Farley confirmed that Tesla and Chinese manufacturers hold an enormous lead in electric vehicles.

Following a difficult and costly restructuring programme that began in 2022, the manufacturer has promised to come back stronger. It is now pinning its hopes on a new universal platform designed to create more efficient and affordable vehicles.