At the very end of winter, the anniversary 50,000th car rolled off the assembly line at the Ford plant in Vsevolozhsk (Leningrad region). If you look at global scale, the number is not that big — over six years of the Focus model's existence, more than four million units have been sold worldwide. But for our market, which has just begun to approach European levels of motorization, this is a very respectable result.
Focus sales in Russia started in the fall of 2002. Since then, the model has twice been recognized as the best-selling foreign car in the country, and last year more than 28,000 cars were sold.
Ford's decision to replace the first-generation Focus with the second came as a surprise to many. Apparently, the reason is that the 1998 car's appearance was too unusual and striking. As practice shows, the mass buyer still prefers a calmer and more traditional design that does not stand out from the everyday flow. That is why the new Focus is so similar to its older brother Mondeo.
Even more unexpected was the statement by the head of the Russian office, Henrik Nenzen, in the fall that the new model would completely replace the previous one on the domestic assembly line. After all, the first Focus, recognized as the best car in Europe and America, was wildly popular, and there is still a huge queue for it. However, despite the objections of skeptics, the still quite relevant veteran will give way to the newcomer. Nenzen explained this by the growing demands of our market: Russians may simply not want to buy an outdated product.
Already in May, assembly of the new model will begin at the plant. The car will be produced in three body styles: sedan, five-door hatchback, and wagon. They will go on sale in mid-summer. But the stylish three-door hatchback will only reach the assembly line in August.
An interesting detail: contrary to global practice, the new Focus will be cheaper than its predecessor. The most affordable version — a three-door hatchback in Ambiente trim with a 16-valve 1.4 engine — will cost $11,720. And it is indeed dollars, since the American concern refused to settle in euros. For comparison: the simplest version of the old model now costs about $14,000. More powerful modifications have also become noticeably cheaper. For example, a sedan in Comfort trim will become more affordable by $1,900.
Russian-assembled cars will be equipped with new engines — five in total: 1.4 (80 hp), 1.6 (100 and 115 hp), 2.0 (145 hp), and for the first time a Duratorq TDCI diesel with a volume of 1.8 liters (115 hp). The names of the trim levels will remain the same — Ambiente, Comfort, Trend, and Ghia — but the number of options will increase from 22 to 40. Among the new features are dual-zone climate control, an audio system with a multifunctional touchscreen display, bi-xenon headlights with washers, parking sensors, a pre-heater, and three options for alloy wheels. Plus, the new model will be available in 11 colors, four of which are completely new.
Last year, 350,000 foreign cars worth more than $9 billion were sold in Russia. In a few years, our country has every chance of becoming the main market in Eastern Europe. But success will only accompany those companies that act now, not prepare for it. While other manufacturers are only doing preparatory work, Ford has decided to go on the offensive. This year alone, the number of partner enterprises will increase by 16.
At the end of last year, Ford's share of the Russian market was 11.1% (39,241 cars). In the new season, the company plans to sell at least 60,000 cars, as announced by Ford's vice president in Russia, Sergei Bogdanov. The main bet, of course, is on the new Focus: from May to December, it is planned to produce 25,000 units.
For comparison: the new Focus II in the 1.6 Comfort trim with a five-door hatchback body will cost $13,730 versus $14,160 for the previous model. The sedan in the same trim is $14,190 instead of $14,628. The basic equipment includes power steering, a driver's airbag, and front electric windows. But the air conditioner in the new model, unlike the old one, has become an option — you will have to pay an extra $1,150 for it.