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The new Ford Focus, due to go on sale in the UK in the first quarter of 2011, made its worldwide debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The car will share 80 per cent parts commonality around the world.
Production will begin simultaneously in Europe and North America in late 2010, with individual market launches starting early in 2011.
The new Focus will be one of up to 10 models to be built from Ford’s new C-car platform. The first of these will be the new Ford C-MAX and Ford Grand C-MAX – unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show – for launch in Europe in the second half of 2010.
The new Ford Focus has been developed by a global team, led from Ford’s European small and medium vehicle centre of excellence in Merkenich, near Cologne, Germany, with powertrain development led by a similar team at Ford’s technical centre.
“The new Ford Focus is a clear demonstration that our ONE Ford strategy is providing global consumers with great products that harness the best of Ford Motor Company,” said Alan Mulally, Ford’s president and CEO.
“The efficiencies generated by our new global C-car platform will enable us to provide Ford Focus customers with an affordable product offering quality, fuel efficiency, safety and technology beyond their expectations,” he said.