2008 Ford Focus Introduction by VP of Ford North America
2008 Ford Focus Vehicle Tour
Musicians Playing Focus Parts in a Symphony (Really
Neat!)
History of the Ford Focus
The Ford Focus came on the roads for the first time in 2000. The car on introduction came in three types, a
hatchback model with three doors, and a sedan that had four doors, and a wagon with five doors. Soon after the initial launch a hatchback version
of the vehicle was launched. While the Hatchback came in one version titled the ZX3, the four door model had three versions, the LX, SE and the
ZTS, and the wagon came with a SE model. The LX and SE versions derived their power from a 2 Liter engine with 4 cylinders and a single cam, the
ZTS and ZX3 derived their power from a 2 Liter engine with 4 cylinders and a double cam. All Focus models had 5 manual gears or 4 automatic
gears.
In the year 2001, the Focus ZTS and ZX3 versions were provided with a system that would prevent it from
skidding off the road and anti lock brakes. The SVT was a hatchback with two doors, which had a manual gear system and 17 inch tires. The ZTW
came equipped with seats made of leather and i6 inch tires. In 2003, the SVT got a new 4 door version.
The Ford Focus derives its power from a 2 Liter engine with 4 cylinders and a double cam. The Ford Focus is a
compact car sold in the North American market. It was introduced in 1999 as a 2000 model year as a replacement for the Ford Escort and in Mexico,
it replaced the Mercury Tracer since Mercury's hiatus from 2000-2003. Sales in the United States for calendar-year 2007 comprised 173,213 units,
making it the #3 best-selling domestic-nameplate car (behind the Chevrolet Impala and Cobalt), #9 best-selling of all cars and #16 best-selling
vehicle, according to Reuters Top-20 U.S. Vehicle Sales Scorecard.
The Focus was originally sold in sedan, hatchback and wagon configurations. The second generation Focus was
released in sedan and coupe versions, dropping the hatchback and station wagon versions. The Focus was introduced in North America in 1999 as a
2000 model, initially as a 3 door hatchback (ZX3), 4 door sedan (ZX4) and 5 door wagon (ZXW). A 5 door hatchback (ZX5) version was introduced for
the 2002 model year. The cars featured subtle styling differences from the European versions: The grille housed the indicator/running lights,
and
the rear lights were a slightly different design. The introduction of the ZX5 5-door hatchback. Focus also received Ford's Personal Safety System
on all models, as well as optional Power Moonroof and 6-Disc CD Changer. Bucking the industry trend, Ford discontinues the electronic stability
control option.
The Focus received major design and styling changes, as well as an upgraded 2.0L I4 Duratec engine. Also, Ford
then released their ST package & discontinued the SVT Focus. After 2005, the North American version was sold in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and
some Latin American countries, while the newer European version was available in other worldwide markets. The European Focus II replaced the
older model Focus in Mexico by early 2007. Unlike previous small Fords in the North American market, including the Pinto, the Escort, no Mercury
version was sold. The U.S. Focus is the smallest of Ford's sedans, listed from smallest to largest: Focus, Fusion, Taurus, and Crown
Victoria.
The 2008 model year Focus was completely restyled, including Ford's signature bar grill design. It was unveiled
at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. A two-door coupe will be offered for the first time in addition to the 4-door sedan. 3-door
and 5-door hatchbacks were dropped as well as the wagon due to their low popularity among car owners. According to Design Head Lon Zaback, the
new Focus "appears to be a little bit shorter and have shorter overhangs. New features include ambient lighting, new seats, brushed aluminum
dashboards, and the new Ford Sync to integrate electronics into the automobile.
The Microsoft designed Sync technology allows Bluetooth connectivity with enabled phones, MP3 player hookups,
and voice activation for both calling on Bluetooth synced phone as well as voice-activated browsing of media players, as well as other features
for phone connectivity and will also be fully upgradable. Sync is optional equipment on the 2008 Focus SE with an MSRP of $395. It is standard
equipment on the 2008 Focus SES. Optional ambient lighting in the Focus uses LEDs placed in the front and rear footwells and the cup holders.
"The driver or front-seat passenger can choose from seven different colors—red, blue, aqua, purple, white, green and yellow—by cycling through a
dash-mounted switch." Standard equipment will include a tire pressure monitoring system.
The 2.3 liter Duratec engine is discontinued for the redesign, leaving only the 2.0 liter engine. Power is
increased in the 2.0 liter engine, up to 140 hp (104 kW) from 136 hp (101 kW), along with other changes to increase fuel efficiency. The chassis
was lightened and stiffened and overall weight is decreased by 30 lbs from the previous model. The Focus currently takes 7.6 percent of the U.S.
small car market. To meet the increasing demand, Ford increased output for 2008 by 30%.
