China-made '09 Ford Focus goes on sale today

Shanghai, September 25 (Gasgoo.com) The 2009 Ford Focus made by Changan Ford hit the Chinese market today, said xinhuanet.com. The face-lifted Focus kicked off its China sale this morning in the scenic city of Hangzhou in eastern China.

The 2008 Ford Focus has had a slight makeover from its predecessor in the interior and the front. The selling price of the new Focus is similar to that of its predecessor, ranging from 123,800 yuan ($18,050) to 153,800 yuan. But the old Ford Focus has kept a steady discount, with over 18,000 yuan off the 105,800 yuan 1.8MT classic Focus.

Ford China will offer the 1.8L and 2.0L models, plus a sports model, the Ford Focus ST. Ford is building interest in its China-market Focus by touting the car's performance credentials. The new Focus model is made by one of Ford's China joint ventures, Changan Ford, for the Chinese market.

The new Focus presents a bold new face to the world: Trapezoidal grilles, swept back headlamps and athletic full surfaces are all signatures of the new Ford brand character. The side profile of the new Focus features the new 'kinetic design' cues of bold wheel lips and the strong undercut running from front to rear of the car.

Powered by a 1.6-liter engine, producing 100 NET HP, coupled with Durashift 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmissions, the all-new Focus is excitingly redesigned with all-new interior and exterior design and a bevy of attractive features.

The Ford Focus is a very popular car in China, in both hatchback and saloon forms. Ford Focus continued to show its strength in China's high-end sedan market. To promote the sales of the new Ford Focus in the Chinese market, the carmaker will decrease the output and supply of the 2007 Focus.