Ford Discreetly Concludes Focus Production After 27 Years Without Any Farewell | Carscoops

      Ford has discreetly concluded production of the Focus as it grapples with an escalating crisis in Europe.

      The last Ford Focus has quietly come off the assembly line in Germany.

      Introduced in 1998, the Focus was a significant success, achieving millions in sales.

      It might be succeeded in Europe by a new mid-size crossover.

      Ford's shift away from cars has struck again, this time claiming the Focus. While the model was discontinued in North America in 2018, it continued to be produced abroad.

      Regrettably, reports indicate that the final Focus has been completed in Saarlouis, Germany. Although Ford has not made an official declaration regarding the end of production, employees have mourned the vehicle’s demise, describing it as “painful” and “sad.”

      Compounding the issue, the outlook for the Saarlouis plant appears grim. Two years prior, Ford stated it had "conducted an extensive search" for a buyer and had signed a non-binding agreement with a potential investor in June 2023. However, that unnamed investor withdrew after a thorough due diligence process and negotiations.

      The future of Ford Europe is in question.

      The end of the Focus signifies a further setback for the company's European division, which has experienced a significant decline in sales recently. This has also led to significant job losses and a troubled collaboration with Volkswagen.

      With this backdrop, Ford of Europe has appointed a new president who will face challenging decisions ahead. According to Autonews, Jim Baumbick must determine whether the new Universal EV Platform, set to debut with a mid-size truck, would be suitable for Europe.

      If he decides against it, the publication suggested that Baumbick might bolster the partnership with Volkswagen. Specifically, it was proposed that Ford could introduce a new Fiesta based on the ID. Polo. This model utilizes the new MEB Entry platform and aims to be priced under €25,000 ($28,973).

      While it remains uncertain whether this plan will be realized, Ford has already announced intentions for a new “multi-energy” vehicle to be produced in Valencia, Spain. Prior reports indicate that this mystery model is expected to debut in 2027 and will be a crossover similar in size to the Focus.

      The new model is rumored to be manufactured alongside the Kuga and is expected to share certain components to reduce costs. The crossover is also anticipated to feature hybrid and electric powertrain options.