Comments on: Ford Focus RS sales go ballistic in the UK

By: Jonathan T

Jonathan T — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:56:28 +0000

This car is fantastic! I really hope that Ford bring to Australia as I would definitely order it as soon as it was available!

By: Max

Max — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 10:25:01 +0000

I recon they don’t wanna import this car couse’ it’s gonna kill the sales of all big FPV’s… this car is absolutely awesome

By: SteveC

SteveC — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 11:20:07 +0000

Cars like these make me horny

By: Naughtyius Maxiumus

Naughtyius Maxiumus — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:02:48 +0000

Doesnt sell cause weird front below headlights on front end that has just been updated. Am seeing heaps of them around now and update looks miles better….shame rest of Ford range like Escape and Territory are like ancient extinct looking heaps!

By: greenroom

greenroom — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:14:40 +0000

swannies went. gone. done.

By: greenroom

greenroom — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:39:37 +0000

go swannies…..

By: greenroom

greenroom — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:38:52 +0000

What a classic looker! Nice specs. This would be the 1st Ford I’d buy since my 1971 Lotus RS Escort! Bring it on Henry.

* Note to Subaru designers: (if there are any left that is)
Have a look at the Focus RS you turkeys. See what other “in touch” manufacturers can do? Hope you are shite ing yourselves right now. You should be.

By: Alan

Alan — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:56:43 +0000

Hard to say why Focus doesn’t sell well here, but i think lack of public awareness is a main issue. Civic, Corolla and Lancer are all old names that everyone knows. Mazda on the other hand did a great job at marketing and promoting Mazda 3 despite it being a new name as opposed to 323 before. Ford on the other hand, didn’t seem to promote Focus enough to raise public awareness.

As for the Focus RS, i really think they should bring it in, could potentially lift the image of Focus range.

By: No Name

No Name — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:14:48 +0000

Ford top sporty models always sell here, however you rarely seem them around for long as most are thrashed and crashed.

By: Frenchie

Frenchie — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:56:33 +0000

The reason why they dont sell as many in Australia is that the base model is very ordinary in its looks. However when you get to the upper models like this one, it looks and delivers what you want. I feel there is great demand for these models (though small in Australia). So when a punter says they want an XR5, they’re told by the saleman at least 6 months or more, the buyer starts to look elsewhere.

By: Falcodore

Falcodore — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:26:23 +0000

I think as people shift away from large cars small hot hatches could become popular. Just think, as much or more power as a large car without the weight, sounds like a good formula. Whatever badge they slap on it they should import it.

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:02:29 +0000

they are saying we wont have an FPV Focus until it is made here in OZ.

in a way i think it is good to sort of stay true to their formula of being an australian performance range.

a rebadged opel in the HSV stable sort of makes it ill constructed i think. (in terms of the HSV name/formula)

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:58:35 +0000

^^^^
i meant to say long time #1 seller in Pov Pac

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:57:50 +0000

I think the poorer sales than the focus deserves comes from it being a new comer to the segment in OZ.

small cars sales are heavily influenced by name plate recognition.
small cars are typiclly bought by young people or old people.
old people are hell bent on buying familiar products, and young people are influenced heavily by older people ie. parents and grand parents.

i wouldnt mind betting a dollar that if ford rebadged the focus to a “Laser”, that sales would be better.

Nissan also shares the same sob story since they got rid of the “Pulsar” name plate.

and on topic,
why wouldnt they sell bucket loads of this RS version in the UK??
it has been a long time seller in the pov pac version before its even tricked up.

By: Falcodore

Falcodore — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:47:59 +0000

@ nick, the 3MPS actually handles really well and when it comes to overtaking embarresses many high priced euro exotica, not to mention the local v8s. Would love to see focus rs and 3mps comparo. The RS would be a great addition to the FPV lineup.

By: Myke

Myke — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 07:09:10 +0000

^^^^ I think the reason the Focus isn’t selling well in Australia, is because we get them from (apart from the XR5) South Africa and the quality isn’t where it should be, which is the same case with the VW Golf apparently. Hence the reason people would rather a Japanese build Mazda3 or Mitsubishi Lancer, for roughly the same price.

By: WVB

WVB — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:05:57 +0000

@ nick, i think prodrive have sorted the understeer with their trick differential.

i think ur right joober and i reckon the focus has a connection in oz with ford’s old laser which was never really much chop.

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 02:52:19 +0000

I wonder how this thing handles. I believe it is a front wheel drive. 221kw and 400nm on the front wheels will be a nightmare to handle just like the Mazda3 MPS!!!

By: The Salesman

The Salesman — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 02:13:07 +0000

I would consider selling a kidney to have this in my drive away. What as awesome looking car.

By: Joober

Joober — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 02:07:38 +0000

Tony, I think in general Australians when they think of Ford its immediately associated to the Falcon, I think the focus is overlooked most of the time…

Anyways awesome car, 220 kw in this small package. I hope the interior is racey to suite as well.