Any plans for a Focus hybrid?

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Jan 6, 2008 | 08:46 AM

nicst47

Thread Starter

Pretty Darn Active Enthusiast

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 322

From: Rhode Island

Any plans for a Focus hybrid?

I think the Ford Focus would be an ideal car for hybrid technology.
Ford could compete head-on with the Civic and Prius.

Jan 6, 2008 | 10:52 AM

Mark E Smith

Omnia Gloria Fugit

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 744

From: College Station Texas

Re: Any plans for a Focus hybrid?

The real question is can they compete and make a profit on a Focus Hybrid. It would take a different transaxle and a smaller engine. The battery pack would cost about the same so would you buy a Ford Focus Hybrid for $27,000 or a Prius for $23,000? It makes a lot more sense to share a drive train with a passenger car like the Fusion then spread it to Lincoln than to develop and market a whole new platform.

Jan 6, 2008 | 12:56 PM

travelover

Feral Engineer

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 496

From: Detroit Area

Re: Any plans for a Focus hybrid?

I don't see it. The Focus has been a CAFE loss leader for years.

Jan 7, 2008 | 07:16 AM

Billyk

Ridiculously Active Enthusiast

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 1,747

From: Southwestern Pa

Re: Any plans for a Focus hybrid?

What Mark said about platform sharing is true. The North American Focus is "old". The European version of the Focus has a new platform. There is an in house Ford debate on which direction (European-kinetic or American-broad shoulders) the design team is headed. This has be solved and there has to be more platform sharing for Ford to turn the corner financially.