2012 Focus

[Autografe]

I was wondering if any of the European guys on the forum are driving the current Ford Focus? It will be available here in the spring as a 2012 model. I know it will have 2.0 liter direct injection engine that may not be spec'ed in the Euro Focus but I was interested in handling, build quality etc. How does it compare to similar vehicles available in the UK or on the continent.

 

[jmsjags]

the 2012 focus goes on sale in Europe in spring 2011, same as North America. i'm almost positive it's built on a different platform than the current mk 2 focus that's being sold in Europe. we still have the mk 1 focus here of course lol. it's a great car but [censored] wish we could've gotten the same treatment as them these past 5 years

 

[kkreit01]

I think it will be available this winter. The first one rolled off the line today:

http://jalopnik.com/5713536/focus-on-the-future

 

[Scienceman]

Beautiful car!

 

[LS2JSTS]

The line is functional, however those few cars being built are pre-production models.

The last word I got was that the Job #1 date for production models is Jan. 31, 2011. That should place the first production cars in dealers hands late March/Early April....

"Per Friday's Fleet Distribution News Bulletin (FDNB) the 2012 Focus USOB (Unscheduled Order Bank) will open on 11/08/2010 with scheduling starting on 12/09/2010.

The Job #1 producton date is now listed as 01/31/2011."

 

[LS2JSTS]

Or maybe it's January 3rd...? The Freep says production begins on the 3rd...

"Full production of the gasoline-powered Focus, which is expected to get 40 m.p.g. on the highway, will start to ramp up on Jan. 3 when about 3,200 workers transfer from the nearby Wayne Assembly Plant to Michigan Assembly."

This article claims that there are already 400 pre production cars that have been built.