Ford is going east in search of better fortunes for its business. To this end, a new production plant has opened its manufacturing line in St Petersburg, Russia, where already over 20,000 orders of the new Focus have been received.
All body styles of the new vehicle will be assembled, meaning the 3, 4, 5-door styles as well as the wagon. Five engines will roll of the assembly line, with both automatic and manual transmissions to accompany them. Jim Tetreault, vice-president of manufacturing, Ford Europe, says he was quite pleased with the setup at St Petersburg, praising the quality of product to come out of there.
Focus is not new to the Russian market, having gone on sale there in its first incarnation back in 1999.
Ford Focus Production Commences in Russia
Ford Russia / Production starts in St Petersburg
Over 20,000 units ordered
By Thami Masemola
February 20, 2008 12:10 PM
Filed Under: European, Ford, General
Press Release (Click to expand)
Production of the new generation Ford Focus got underway today at the Ford plant in St. Petersburg.
The first car in the new series was driven off the production line by Valery Serdyukov, Governor of Leningrad region and Jim Tetreault, vice-president manufacturing, Ford of Europe.
Previewed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September last year, the new Focus has clearly caught the imagination of the Russian public, with around 20,000 customers ordering a car already.
The new Ford Focus has not only been given a completely new look, but it has also been significantly improved in terms of interior design and craftsmanship.
The new Focus will be assembled in Russia in all 4 body styles - 3 door, 4 door, 5 door and wagon - , with a choice of five engines, automatic and manual transmissions and in a choice of three trim series: Ambiente, Comfort and Ghia.
"I was hugely impressed by the quick and professional preparations done for the St. Petersburg launch of the new Focus. Everyone working at the plant is doing a terrific job - I am very proud of them and the quality of the vehicles they are producing," said Jim Tetreault, vice-president of manufacturing, Ford of Europe.
The first new Focus which rolled off the conveyor today is also the 250,000th Focus to be sold in Russia since the car was introduced to the market in 1999. The happy customer of the milestone car was at the ceremony in the plant today to receive their vehicle.
With more than five million examples produced in Europe since it was launched in 1998, the Ford Focus was the first car in the world to be acclaimed "Car of the Year" both in Europe and in North America.
In total, the Ford Focus has won over 80 awards in Europe alone. It has significantly influenced the automotive world and at the same time triggered a successful new direction for Ford in Europe.
Comments
catch22
February 20, 2008 1:40 PM
What happened to the new Titanium trim level? Why do they use the old designation "Ghia"? Interesting...
RussianOne
February 20, 2008 7:19 PM
"To this end, a new production plant has opened its manufacturing line in St Petersburg, Russia, where already over 20,000 orders of the new Focus have been received." C'mon guys, what are you writing? There was no "new production plant" , they only have rearrenged the old (existing) production line (OF the previous Ford Focus 2). Because, the plant was opened in St.Petersburg in 2003, your title "Ford Focus Production Commences in Russia" - is quite inadequate... so, "Ford is going east in search of better fortunes for its business" - is incorrect! Ford has gone east long time ago.
buozgs00
February 21, 2008 8:39 AM
Why Russian has been selected for that cars production? What is the main reason for that selection? Was Ford already been active in Russia?
RussianOne
February 23, 2008 12:24 AM
First of all, the research of a market was made. And the experts saw, that ordinary people want good-looking car with european quality and not too expensive. - SO , this is the receipt of the sales leadership of Ford in Russia. This is one of the most popular car here, and there are even queues for Ford Focus 2 (on most types of packages). Before starting the plant, Ford was presented in Russia, but they were dissatisfied with too modest sales...And right at that moment Ford gave birth to Focus...and after some time, it was given Russian "citizenship"
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