On November 14, 2025, Ford’s assembly plant produced the last unit of the well-known Ford Focus model, marking the definitive end of its production. This represents the farewell to the vehicle that has sold more than 12 million units since its launch in 1998 and a clear statement of the brand’s intention to redirect its production toward trucks, SUVs, and, primarily, electrification.
Although the model ceased to be available at U.S. dealerships in 2018, the global farewell in 2025 will force European drivers to seek alternatives in the face of this sudden disappearance. With the farewell of Ford’s most iconic model, others come to take the stage, such as the range of crossovers with models like the Kuga or the Puma.
Ford Focus
Since its debut in 1998, the Ford Focus model has been able to meet the needs of different market niches, with a design that aimed to be a global model, aspiring to be the compact car par excellence in 140 markets. Its success was also built thanks to its high-performance variants. With the arrival of the Focus ST (ST170) in 2002, the era of the “hot hatch” officially began. Later, the Focus RS exceeded expectations with rally-inspired engineering, all-wheel drive, and a manual transmission. Ford even associated the development of the Focus RS with Ken Block, describing him as a consultant for the model’s development program. This blend of practicality with the fun factor gave it a clear identity.
Gradual withdrawal
The withdrawal of the Focus has been carried out in stages, creating some confusion among consumers on different continents:
- 2018: The Focus “disappeared from U.S. showrooms.” In the United States, the company opted for SUVs and trucks, leaving only the Mustang in the “cars” section of its U.S. website.
- 2020: Production of the Focus RS ends.
- September 2025: Production of the sporty version, the Focus ST, ends.
- November 2025: Production ceases entirely at the Saarlouis plant (Germany).
The discrepancy between markets is the main reason for this uneven transition. The end of production did not represent an immediate change for U.S. buyers (for whom it was already gone), but it marked the end of the model badge for European drivers, even though the model page might still appear on Ford’s European websites “while the remaining inventory is sold”.
Goodbye to the Ford Focus
This decision responds to Ford’s need to make a strategic shift toward electrified production. Bill Ford Jr. himself acknowledged at the time that the company’s car lineup “wasn’t as solid as we needed it to be.” Without the Focus, other models such as the range of crossovers like the Kuga and Puma come into play. The legacy of the Focus as a global volume car comes to an end, being replaced by the strategy of taller, electrified vehicles that dominate today’s market.