Ford’s hot hatch journey began with a modest attempt in 1980, when the Fiesta Supersport was launched. Things got more serious the following year with the beefier Fiesta XR2. However, it was the 1984 Escort RS that truly cemented the company’s contribution to this exciting niche of practical performance cars. 45 years after the Supersport, the Blue Oval is now exiting the segment. After the Fiesta ST was discontinued a couple of years ago, the Focus ST has now followed suit.
In a statement to Motor1, Ford confirmed that new Focus ST orders are no longer being accepted. The company’s European Communications Manager, Finn Thomasen, stated: “All Focus ST factory orders until the end of production have now been reserved.” This disappointing news follows a recent announcement from Ford UK about the retirement of its last remaining hot hatch.
Sure, the Mustang remains, but it’s ultimately a niche product. The pony car’s 5.0-liter V-8 is both a blessing and a curse. While it’s an excellent naturally aspirated powertrain, high EU taxes on large-displacement engines make it a tough sell. The smaller, turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder was pulled from the European market at the end of 2020.
With the Ka, Fiesta, and Mondeo already gone and Focus production winding down, Ford’s European sales continue to decline. According to figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), deliveries through April decreased by 2.2% to 149,601 units across the EU, the UK, and the EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland). For perspective, Volkswagen sold 488,033 cars in the same period. Even South Korea’s Kia and Hyundai surpassed Ford, with 183,095 and 174,106 units delivered, respectively.
Still, it’s too early to say whether Ford will launch something akin to the ID.3, or the upcoming ID.2 and ID.1. VW has committed to electric GTI models, so perhaps one day the Fiesta ST or Focus ST could return as EVs. Meanwhile, crossovers like the Puma and Kuga must do the heavy lifting in the EU, EFTA, and UK regions, where Ford's market share is currently at 3.4% or roughly three times less than VW's.