This is for the USDM markerplace where Ford hates us.

Ford has finally decided to give us the European Models and are showing more appreciation for the US, since most of us favor the european models more. It has not yet been announced yet, if Ford will be sharing the RS model to the US. So there is still time Ford can change there minds, BUT needs to decide sooner or later since they have to make the car to meet the DOT standards, which will take time.

Ford has been a BIG part in the WRC, with many victories. The Focus is of course a rally inspired car. As we all know there is competition. Subaru and Mitsubishi is starting to come out with hatches (Subaru already came out with one and its a hit). If these two companies are one of the top companies in the WRC are mimicking the Ford hatchback style, what could this mean. Is Subaru and Mitsubishi trying to compete with the Ford Focus standards?

yet we were all let down that with about 300hp, its still a FWD.

Since sport compact cars are a growing market due to gas prices, it would be smart for Ford to bring to the US a high performace sports compact model car such as the RS. As well have a base model Focus such as a Focus SE.

Over at fj i read this
Dear Ben,
Thank you for contacting the Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center inquiring about the Ford Focus ST.

According to our resources, the 2006 Ford Focus ST will be produced to be sold in Europe. At this time, there are no immediate plans to include this vehicle in the current model line-up for the North American market. However, your feedback is collected and used in the decision making process for future model years. We have documented your feedback which will be forwarded to the appropriate department.

For the most updated availability of Ford vehicles please refer to the Sales
Department of your local dealership as they are in the best position to advise
you of vehicle availability or pricing. Ford dealerships are independently
owned and operated and as such, set their own prices for vehicle sales.
this was a post back in 2006 in question Ford "why no ST in North AM?"

So us Focus Fanatics should help Ford decide weither or not to share the RS.
We can send a letter to Ford and in our own words tell them that we care.
https://secure.ford.com/footer/contact-ford/contact-us-email?contactMainTopic=CommunityEnvironment
i believe thats the form to send to the Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center, if not pleasue correct me.

Most times when companies want to do something all the way, when it comes to the end they would change there mind because of the so called weak dollar and how there could be a million ways why AMERICANS IN GENERAL will not be interested (I am speaking in terms of Fords Point of view and not mines...)

So where just going to play it by ear and see what happens.

they could just take the MS3 engine and put it in the Focus and i think that would be a big hit

they could just take the MS3 engine and put it in the Focus and i think that would be a big hit


Yep. It would be the Ford SRT-4, except it turns too! [hihi]

Not to derail this thread, but we already have Ford's ear on this matter via our forum. Additionally this question was already answered by the Ford Focus Manager at FocusFest.

At this point its just a waiting game for the plant retooling.

Ford Focus Manager! really!?!? at Focus Fest!
damn i should of went lol
stooopid work.

tom, is there a thread on ff.com with details of what the FFM stated?

As much as I like sportier models, just having a car that car get me to work and back, go on trips, get good milage, be reliable, be able to travel in all weather conditions, easy to work on and be cheap on insurence, is more important. If I had the money, I would get the Porche I always wanted, but I need to live in my limits. Not having a high performance model didn't sway me from Focus, and having one would not get me to buy it.....yet.

tom, is there a thread on ff.com with details of what the FFM stated?

I dont have a transcript of what was stated, but he spent nearly an entire Saturday with us asking questions and getting a lot of feedback from our members. Basically what you guys want, he/they already know. However things take time, but trust me there are lots of good things to come in the not so distant future.

I dont have a transcript of what was stated, but he spent nearly an entire Saturday with us asking questions and getting a lot of feedback from our members. Basically what you guys want, he/they already know. However things take time, but trust me there are lots of good things to come in the not so distant future.

i.e.:the next model updation, in 2010.5?

hammer2.0: p.s. its porsche lol

Where is that dead horse? I know he's around here somewhere, I want to beat him too! At least let me kick him

Here ya go:

http://home.mindspring.com/~kevingriffith/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/deadhorse_2.gif

This may not be news to some FFers, but from this interview (runs about 4 min.) it sounds like all the small Euro Fords are going to be North American built and sold in the not-too-distant future. Give a listen:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid452319854/bctid1659870996

The Wall Street Journal article that goes with the above says:

Ford Motor Co. plans to transform three North American truck plants to build small cars developed originally for European markets, according to people briefed about the company's intentions.
In response to escalating gas prices, Ford Motor plans to transform three North American truck plants to build small cars developed originally for European markets. WSJ's Matt Dolan discusses the plan with colleague John Stoll. (July 22)

The move, expected to be announced as part of Ford's second-quarter earnings report Thursday, is an attempt to increase production of passenger cars in North America in response to this year's rise in gasoline prices.

Once its plants have been retooled, the U.S. auto maker would be able to use a common base to build its next generation of passenger cars, many of which originated in Europe. The global platform is now used to produce the European Focus subcompact, the Ford Kuga crossover and the Ford C-Max small wagon.

Ford officials Tuesday declined to detail the company's plans. "We won't comment on speculation on what we may or may not announce in advance, but we look forward to sharing details on Thursday," said Ford spokeswoman Anne Marie Gattari.

The European models share basic components that make up the underpinnings of a vehicle, known as a platform in the industry. Eventually Ford, of Dearborn, Mich., would use this common platform to build other vehicles in the U.S., including the next-generation Ford Focus and Ford Escape crossover. Other plans include combining its current North American midsize sedan, the Fusion, and its European counterpart, the Mondeo, into a single vehicle.

Here ya go:

http://home.mindspring.com/~kevingriffith/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/deadhorse_2.gif

......[rofl]

I dont have a transcript of what was stated, but he spent nearly an entire Saturday with us asking questions and getting a lot of feedback from our members. Basically what you guys want, he/they already know. However things take time, but trust me there are lots of good things to come in the not so distant future.
So no one took notes or can even paraphrase what the guy said? Because it sounds like you guys maybe got some interesting details, but it's not being shared with the rest of us who couldn't be there to hear it. All we keep getting is, "Stay Tuned".

So no one took notes or can even paraphrase what the guy said? Because it sounds like you guys maybe got some interesting details, but it's not being shared with the rest of us who couldn't be there to hear it. All we keep getting is, "Stay Tuned".

Maybe they were told not to write anything down and do not share any of this information with anyone outside of this room lol.

Not to derail this thread, but we already have Ford's ear on this matter via our forum. Additionally this question was already answered by the Ford Focus Manager at FocusFest.

At this point its just a waiting game for the plant retooling.

I agree, if you want something that bad you'll half to wait; I am most deffinatly going to play this by ear and see where this will lead us.

well, i hope they do being the hatch back.

Maybe they were told not to write anything down and do not share any of this information with anyone outside of this room lol.

No, we weren't instructed not to say anything. Bill(aka Vinney266) and Tom(aka 1turbofocus) talked to Sam for the good part of a day. If you have specific thing you want to know ,they would be the best to ask.

FYI you may not want to miss next years Focus Fest. You never know who or what may show up.

for sure, I have a person who is upper management at wayne stamping, and apparently the Euro to America project has been talked about for some time, and it certainly looks as if the RS will be on it's way too. But just how much will it change......... this certainly reminds me of the future concepts at the auto show. Do we remember seeing the 2005 Mustang at the 2003 auto show... WOW... then hmmm good but not like I remember seeing it

so why dont tom and viney discuss what they heard?? :) ...

^^^Exactly, How do you go to a focus event sponsored by a site for the focus community, pick a Ford guy's brain on what's in store for the focus in the future and that information NOT be posted?

I mean, I can understand if it was an off the record, for your ears only type of deal, but that's not what I've heard. And maybe I'm reading witchcitySVT's words wrong, but why should it matter if we are at Focus Fest or not. The whole point of this board is the sharing of information and our love for this car. If information is shared at an event sponsored by the site then the information should be shared with ALL of us, that's my point.

And maybe I'm reading witchcitySVT's words wrong, but why should it matter if we are at Focus Fest or not.

Yeah, you are reading me wrong. I definitely didn't mean it as a "if your not there you don't get to know" type thing. I was just trying to motivate people to get to the next Focus Fest.[thumb]