Why is Ford selling the old shape Focus alongside the new model?

You recently wrote that Ford still builds the old shape Focus even though it now produces a new model that, presumably, is better. Why would any manufacturer do that? I would have expected them just to sell off all the unsold cars and moved on to the new model. Are they produced specifically for the discount market: a sort of original 'factory second'? Do they do it with all the models?

Asked on 28 May 2011 by JP, Nelson

Answered by Honest John

Sometimes manufacturers continue with an old model. Ford is only producing the old Focus at Valencia until the autumn. The car is only built in Sport trim, and only with 1.6 diesel or 1.6 petrol engines as a cheaper alternative to the new Focus. What that does in marketing terms is keep a foothold at a lower price point while reinforcing the higher price level of the new Focus. Consequently, discounts on the new Focus are about half what they are on the old Focus. See: www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/deals/2011-04/dtd-ford-a.../

Tags: model changes discounts new model date

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