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August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Money & Work • Automotive

Ford Focus

The Ford Focus is a compact car produced by Ford from 1998 until 2025.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

The Ford Focus is a compact car built by Ford from 1998 to 2025. It was part of the company's global strategy to replace region-specific models with a single worldwide platform.

What it is

The Ford Focus is a C-segment compact car sold in hatchback, sedan, wagon, and, in some markets, coupe and electric body styles. It launched in Europe in 1998 and reached North America for the 2000 model year, succeeding the Ford Escort in many markets.

Key details

The Focus was produced across four generations, with performance ST and RS variants offered in some regions. Ford announced discontinuation in 2022, and the final generation ended production in 2025, marking the retirement of a long-running compact nameplate.

Canada angle

In Canada, the Ford Focus was a popular entry-level and commuter vehicle within Ford’s North American lineup. Its discontinuation ended a common compact-car option for Canadian buyers.

In short

  • Produced from 1998 to 2025 across four generations
  • Replaced the Ford Escort in many markets
  • Offered performance ST and RS variants in some regions
  • Discontinued in 2025 after Ford announced its phase-out in 2022
Canadian angle

The Ford Focus was sold in Canada as part of Ford’s North American compact-car lineup and was a common entry-level and commuter vehicle for Canadian buyers before its discontinuation.

Quick questions

When was the Ford Focus first introduced?
It launched in Europe in 1998 and entered the U.S. market for the 2000 model year.
Did the Ford Focus have performance versions?
Yes, Ford offered ST and RS performance variants in some markets and generations.
When did Ford stop making the Focus?
Ford announced discontinuation in 2022, and production ended in 2025.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Focus
    Supports: General overview, production dates, generations, launch timing, and discontinuation.
  2. Cars.com — https://www.cars.com/research/ford-focus/
    Supports: U.S. market role, body styles, and replacement of the Escort.
  3. Auto Express — https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/focus
    Supports: Fourth-generation details, powertrains, and end of production context.
  4. Car and Driver — https://www.caranddriver.com/ford/focus
    Supports: Production ended and model-year information.
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Focus_(fourth_generation)
    Supports: Fourth-generation production dates and market scope.