Australia to Focus on South Africa for Latest Model - Ford Forums

RPO83 · 10-29-2004, 04:46

This is a press release...

Ford's Pretoria plant will build the five-door and four-door Focus for local sale and export to Australia.

Combining the best of German engineering and European styling with exemplary driving dynamics, the new Focus will go on sale in Australia during 2005.

"Sourcing the new Focus from our regional partners has allowed us to be near the front of the queue to receive this exciting new model," said Ford Australia President, Tom Gorman.

"Ford South Africa has worked very closely with the global Focus development team and has demonstrated its ability to consistently achieve the stringent quality, cost and delivery targets established by the well recognised European Focus team.

"Since its European launch in 1998, the current Focus has been one of the most successful products in Ford's 100 year history. It has consistently ranked amongst the world's best-selling cars and has won Car of the Year Awards in both Europe and North America.

"The new Focus will deliver even more - providing improvements in power, quality, craftsmanship, packaging and refinement," said Gorman.

Sourcing from South Africa is part of a manufacturing strategy that reflects Ford's commitment to the Asia-Pacific region.

The Asia-Pacific and Africa region is projected to contribute 65% of global auto industry growth through to the end of the decade, of which 80% of all growth in the region will come from China, ASEAN and India.

"With volumes approaching the markets of North America and Western Europe, Ford's Asia Pacific and Africa regions are now being treated as a single entity and will benefit from the installation of the latest plant technology and economies of scale in manufacturing," said Ford Motor Company Vice President of Ford Asia Pacific and Africa, Mark Schulz.

"This is an important first step in creating a model for future growth and investment.

"Over the next 10 years there will be an additional 9 million units that are there for the taking. Ford intends to go after our fair share. We are confident that the new Focus will help us achieve our ambitious targets, within the core mid-size passenger car segment. The new Focus is the most sophisticated Focus ever and will go on sale throughout the region over the coming year."

Timmeh · 10-29-2004, 05:02

Does this mean 3 doors are still imported from the Saarlouis plant in Germany, I wonder?

Thanks for the article Luke.

Tim

RPO83 · 10-29-2004, 05:18

It looks like that's the plan Tim.

brother · 10-29-2004, 18:36

Hmmm, that's interesting. I'd prefer the German made version. See what happened with the current focus for the US made in Mexico..... few recalls there. Maybe I'm just paranoid.... BMW do it too (manufacture in South Africa) with the 3 series sold here.

Good to know.

whippet_zetec · 10-29-2004, 20:54

right brother, BMW did the same for their 3 series....and I am with you, I would prefer one of the euro assembled cars than the south african ones, dont know why just my preference.

Suth · 10-30-2004, 19:33

the same can be said for most of the vee dub golfs. The base spec models were made in South Africa and the quality control in johannesberg (i think) was not to the same standard as the european golfs. Also the bragging rights are not there any more. Next gen foci will only be "european designed" but will still be "fully imported".

chevaps · 10-30-2004, 20:17

so is the current model focus here in Australia made in Germany and imported from europe?

Timmeh · 10-30-2004, 21:09

All Aussie Foci are made in the Saarlouis plant in Germany and imported here, yeap.

Tim

melbzetec · 10-31-2004, 01:18

Tim,

I'm not sure that is right. I think you'll find some (all?) of the sedans for example are from Belgium, and I'm sure I've heard some are from Ireland. All European though. The zetecs are definitely from Germany.

Zetec · 10-31-2004, 14:32

Sedans are from Spain and hatches are from Germany. At least they were until a few months ago, now all Foci are from Spain, Valencia. That includes Sedan AND hatch due to end of model cycle as the Germany plant gears up to I imagine the next model.