05:18 18-11-2025

Ford retires the Focus as Explorer and Capri lead its EV shift

The Ford Focus era is officially over. The nameplate that for nearly three decades stood as a symbol of the European market has been retired. Over 27 years, the company built about twelve million units, and it’s hard to picture another hatchback that secured such a strong foothold in the mainstream segment, as 32CARS.RU reports. For Ford, however, the turning point came back in 2022, when the brand announced a move to an electric-vehicle strategy and hinted that the model’s days were numbered.

Today, the Focus is effectively giving way to the new electric Explorer and Capri, both built on the German MEB platform. The Saarlouis plant, which assembled the Focus for many years, has been shut down, and its future remains uncertain: no buyer has been found for the site, and Ford does not plan to launch new projects there. For the region, that’s a tangible blow, as the facility was a key local employer.

Falling demand for traditional models has also weighed on the brand’s standing. Over the past nine years, Ford slid in the European rankings from a near-leading position to twelfth. To rebuild trust, a new head of the European business has been appointed — Jim Baumbick. Having worked on the Focus and Kuga, he is now tasked with shaping a lineup that once again aligns with what European buyers expect.

Ford intends to fill the gap with a crossover due in 2027. Early indications point to both hybrid and fully electric versions, though it won’t be a direct replacement for the Kuga. The move feels like a search for a new recipe for success — and the end of the Focus is only the first step along that road.