2008 Ford Focus to hit China market in Sept.

Shanghai, July 3 (Gasgoo.com) The 2008 Ford Focus will go on sale in the Chinese market in late September and Beijing dealerships of Changan Ford said that they have begun to receive ordering from Chinese customers for the locally made Focus.

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 will be similar to that of the 2007 Focus, 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, but only 8,000 yuan off the 145,800 yuan price of the sporty 2.0AT hatchback and the luxury 2.0AT sedan.

To promote the launch and sales of the new Ford Focus in the Chinese market, the carmaker will decrease the production and supply of the 2007 Focus. Chinese consumers will be provided with new Ford Focus by the end of September. 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 (which is like the European version, not the U.S. one) 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.