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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The Ford Focus is a car made by the Ford Motor Company and sold in most Ford markets worldwide. It was launched in 1998 in Europe, and in 2000 in North America. Unlike its predecessors in the North American market, the Pinto and Escort, no luxury Mercury version is available.

In Australia, New Zealand, Japan and other countries in the region, it replaced the Laser, based on the Mazda 323 (called the Mazda Protege in North America).

Mechanically the Focus draws heavily from other European Ford models, using a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension derived from that used in the Ford Mondeo, giving the Focus class leading handling and ride characteristics. The engines used are the well-proven Zetec-SE and Zetec units.

It is produced by factories in Saarlouis, Germany; Valencia, Spain; Saint Petersburg, Russia; Hermosillo, Mexico; Pacheco, Argentina; and Wayne, Michigan in the U.S.

Engines:

• 1.4 Zetec-SE (Europe only)
• 1.6 Zetec-SE (Europe only)
• 1.6 Zetec (other markets)
• 1.8 Zetec
• 2.0 CVH (America, sedans only)
• 2.0 Zetec (all markets)
• 2.0 Duratec ST (US SVT, Euro ST)
• 2.0 Duratec turbo (Euro RS)
• 2.3 Duratec (America, new option for 2004)
• 1.8 Endura-D diesel: 75PS and 90PS non-common-rail (Europe) (TDi/TDdi)
• 1.8 Duratorq diesel: 100PS and 115PS common rail (Europe) (TDci)

Bodies (offerings vary by market):

• 3-door hatch
• 5-door hatch (part of the original line in Europe, added in North America starting in 2002)
• 4-door sedan/saloon (not available in Japan or New Zealand)
• 5-door wagon (only available in Europe,Japan and North America)

Transmissions:

• 5-speed manual
• 6-speed manual (Euro ST, US SVT)
• 4-speed automatic

Competition

Competition in Europe

• Opel Astra/Vauxhall Astra
• VW Golf and VW Bora
• Peugeot 307
• Toyota Corolla
• Nissan Almera
• Honda Civic

Competition in North America

• Chevrolet Cavalier
• Dodge Neon
• Honda Civic
• Mazda Protege
• Pontiac Vibe
• Toyota Corolla
• Toyota Matrix
• VW Golf

In Europe, the hatchback is the biggest selling bodystyle. Ford attempted to market the sedan version in Europe as a mini-executive car by only offering it in the Ghia trim level, something that it had tried before with the Orion of the 1980s. It has since given up on this strategy, and has started selling lower specced versions of the sedan.

Despite its radical styling (the hatchback version in particular), and some controversial safety recalls in North America, the car has been a runaway success throughout the globe, even in the United States, where Ford has traditonally failed to successfully sell its European models to a Stateside audience.

This was the best-selling car in the world in 2000 and 2001. It was elected Car of the Year in 1999. In Europe, the original had a very subtle facelift in 2001, and a replacement, on a new platform shared with the Volvo S40 and Mazda 3, is due in late 2004.

In North America, a major facelift is due in the 2005 model year for the North American market, but on the old platform. Ford has apparently decided that a completely new car would not be profitable in the heavily price- and incentive-driven North American market.