Ford Focus Wagon - only in Europe

[jake75]

And why does Ford think this would not be popular in the USA?The problem with the former Focus Wagon is that it was only offered in the higher trim line so it was a bit pricey. Also - they were rare as hens teeth on dealer lots. March 1, 2010DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) -- Ford Motor Co. plans to revive its Focus station wagon in Europe, but there are no plans at present to bring the sleek new five-door car to Ford's home market.The sporty wagon will be rolled out Monday at the Geneva Motor Show, targeted to European markets where wagons aren't seen as out-of-style like they are in the U.S.Company executives say wagons account for 30 percent of Focus sales in Europe, and it's 50 percent in countries such as Italy and Germany.The wagon, just like the Focus sedan and hatchback introduced earlier this year in Detroit, has sloping, aerodynamic lines that Ford says makes it look like it's moving even when it's not.Ford also announced that the Focus would globally get a version of Ford's Ecoboost direct-injection turbocharged engine, but the company would not reveal the size of the engine or other details about it. Ford has already announced plans to bring two-liter and 1.6-liter turbocharged engines to the U.S. The U.S. Focus, due in showrooms early in 2011, will be equipped with a two-liter engine.The Dearborn, Mich., automaker says the wagon is the fifth of 10 vehicles that it will build worldwide off its new global compact car underpinnings by 2012. So far Ford has announced the Focus sedan and hatchback, the wagon and the C-MAX and Grand C-Max models, which are like small sport utility vehicles.The wagon, though, won't make it to the U.S. unless Ford sees a change in the market. Frank Davis, executive director of North American product programs, said the wagon has a stigma in the U.S. and hasn't sold well in recent years.In the U.S., a previous generation Focus station wagon was only 14 percent of the Focus' sales at its peak in 2002. That dropped to 4 percent in 2007, the last year the wagon was sold in the U.S.You can blame memories of the 1960s family vacation for that. Market research has shown that many baby boomers associate station wagons with their parents and think they'll be perceived as old if they drive one. Frank Davis, Ford's executive director of North American products, says the wagon still has a stigma in the U.S., plus American consumers have other choices such as crossover vehicles and minivans. Crossovers are like a sport utility vehicle but built on a car frame instead of a truck.But Ford isn't ruling out bringing the wagon to North America should demand rise. Its factory in Wayne, Mich., where the Focus will be made, is flexible enough to handle an additional model, Davis said."Because things in Europe and consumer tastes are starting to converge, if that happens, based our flexible body shop, we can bring it later," he said.In Europe, though, the wagon has always been popular, second only to the five-door hatchback for the Focus, John Fleming, Ford of Europe CEO, said in a statement."These customers want the extra space and flexibility a traditional wagon provides, yet they still expect all of the technology, great driving dynamics, and superb styling," he said.

[lovemyraffe]

Wagons are not popular enough in the US. IMO, too many people consider wagons to be "uncool" and not good looking enough. I personally would rather have a wagon.

[jake75]

The difference between a "wagon" and a cross over vehicle are very subjective. Is the Golf 4 dr hatch back a station wagon?What about the Subaru Outback? Forrester? PT Cruiser? Chevy HHR?Kia Rondo? The list goes on.

[ou.grizzly]

Subaru did at one time offer the Legacy in a wagon form, yet do not anymore. Subaru has the Outback and the Impreza Wagon; Forester is an SUV, not a wagon - the new model clearly defines this.

[ramenboy...]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »The difference between a "wagon" and a cross over vehicle are very subjective. Is the Golf 4 dr hatch back a station wagon?What about the Subaru Outback? Forrester? PT Cruiser? Chevy HHR?Kia Rondo? The list goes on.vibe?

[Whelan]

They have the hatchback which is now becoming more popular in the states thanks to cars like the Vibe, Matrix, Mazda 3, etc. Think back to the early 2000's when the new Civic Si was a hatchback with 160hp. People shunned it for its looks. Back then only the GTI was respectable. New word came out on Motor Trend today that Ford IS bringing over a performance version of the new Focus with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine. They say don't call it an RS though because it will have 250hp instead of the 300+ in the current RS. It will most likely hold the name SVT in the states and be a replacement for the already popular 225hp Focus ST which fits in Europes lineup between the Focus and Focus RS.Put that in the hatch with 4 doors and I'm game. I really hope they offer it in 4 door trim or even as an engine option in say an SEL or Sport Focus so I can at least get the engine.

[ramenboy...]

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »They have the hatchback which is now becoming more popular in the states thanks to cars like the Vibe, Matrix, Mazda 3, etc. Think back to the early 2000's when the new Civic Si was a hatchback with 160hp. People shunned it for its looks. Back then only the GTI was respectable. New word came out on Motor Trend today that Ford IS bringing over a performance version of the new Focus with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine. They say don't call it an RS though because it will have 250hp instead of the 300+ in the current RS. It will most likely hold the name SVT in the states and be a replacement for the already popular 225hp Focus ST which fits in Europes lineup between the Focus and Focus RS.Put that in the hatch with 4 doors and I'm game. I really hope they offer it in 4 door trim or even as an engine option in say an SEL or Sport Focus so I can at least get the engine.well put. +1 i'd love to see the svt focus here!

[Whelan]

As long as they offer a 4 door version I'm down. I need 4 doors. As a side note, it would be interesting if they brought a convertible over as it was in Europes last generation lineup. Pictures - actually quite handsome for a small wagon.

[ramenboy...]

kinda reminds me of the is 300 sportwagon which i've always thought was a good-looking wagon

[KNINE]

Quote, originally posted by lovemyraffe »Wagons are not popular enough in the US. IMO, too many people consider wagons to be "uncool" and not good looking enough. I personally would rather have a wagon.I like my wagon, but then again, I'm not cool.

[TONY TAT2]

[lovemyraffe]

Quote, originally posted by TONY TAT2 »What the heck is that?Quote, originally posted by ramenboy... »kinda reminds me of the is 300 sportwagon which i've always thought was a good-looking wagonI love the IS300 sport wagon.People in America love their SUV's and cross-over vehicles. My opinion is that SUV's are station wagons that are lifted. It is the same basic concept for body design. It just is "cooler."I will never be too cool for a wagon (plus they are much more functional).

[TONY TAT2]

The new "Nomad" concept.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by ou.grizzly »Subaru did at one time offer the Legacy in a wagon form, yet do not anymore. Subaru has the Outback and the Impreza Wagon; Forester is an SUV, not a wagon - the new model clearly defines this. A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME . . . .

[cptnsolo77]

Is that Nomad concept new??? I swear I have seen that before.

[Houston]

Quote, originally posted by ramenboy... »vibe? My Michigan registration lists my Vibe as a station wagon. Oh, lordy, guess I'll have to sell it.

[star_deceiver]

From 2004TonyTat2's is from 1999Quote, originally posted by TONY TAT2 »Personally, I think they should bring back the original. Their redesigns just don't do the 55 justice!

[Old Tele man]

...according to the Arizona Department of Transportation, our Vibe is a "5-door Station Wagon"

[Silversn95]

I'll be honest with you guys, if Ford was still making the Focus wagon we might not have a Vibe. We were actually looking for fuel efficient wagons to replace our crappy Venture. The combination of price, fuel efficiency and general good design is what tipped us to the Vibe even though it doesn't have the cargo room I was looking for. Those old Focus wagons easily have 50% more cargo room than the Vibe.

[Aussie Vibe]

How times change view of the buying public. I am sure they will come back to wagons again.We were only talking last night and someone said that they wouldnt buy the new Forester as it is an SUV now rather than the small wagon it was.

[Houston]

Seems to me that all SUVs are really nothing more than modern day station wagons. That's what they look like. Who cares what anybody calls anything? If we like it, we like it - and we like our Vibe station wagons.I remember working on the Buick station wagons coming down the assemble line way back when. I gotta say they were terrific cars that had lots of room and rode beautifully. I was young back in those days, but none of us considered them an old peoples car. That's what today's young people call them, but we didn't back then.

[jake75]

Today's news on February sales - Surging sales of large wagons also helped Japan's Subaru, which said its February sales in the U.S. jumped 38 percent to 18,098 led by the Outback and Legacy sedan. Both vehicles got a redesign for the 2010 model year. Sales of its Impreza sedan and Forester SUV were flat.

[northvibe]

lol growing up my dad and mom both had wagons, the ford ltd and some chrysler, then a merucry sable wagon.. my dad always loved them. In my youth I found them ugly and not "cool". Then after I acquired the vibe, which i was in college, so I actually needed space to move my stuff as I moved 2 times a year. the wagon became apparently useful. So with my purchase of a MS3.. I had fast, cool, and room. I miss that danm car. If I only had 1 car, I would consider one again..wagon/hatch backs are coming back and it only took me like 10 years to figure out why they are so damn useful! dooh