Another motoring website (Autoexpress) is showing pictures of a new Focus due in 2010. They are calling it the Mark III (but it's different to the Mk III shown in the HJ C-b-C).
Given that the current model only appeared this year, are manufacturers down to a 2+ year cycle now?
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I think the Focus HJ calls a Mark 3, is a Mark 2 facelift not a Mark 3.
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Given that the current model only appeared this year are manufacturers down to a 2+ year cycle now?
When is a vehicle a new model, and when is it simply a facelift?
Take the Fiesta story for example. With the Mk 1 (1976 to 83), the Mk 2 (83-89) and Mk 3 (89-97), things were simple. The Mk 4 was introduced in 1995. But then in 1999, it was given what Wikipedia describe (IMHO correctly) as "a minor facelift". It was, to all intents and purposes, unchanged, but was called the Mk 5. The new Fiesta 2002 was thus styled the Mk 6. It was facelifted in 2005. Perhaps some people call it the Mk 7. Wikipedia calls it the Mk 6 facelift, but adds "Also known as the Mk6.5."
By this time, I am thoroughly confused and have lost count. Exactly how different does a car have to be to be a new model? There seem to be no rules - other than "If the manufacturer says it is a new model, it is a new model."
It seems to me that Ford are particularly guilty of being confusing.
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Ford started muddying the water with the Mark 5 Cortina I think. A facelifted Mark 4. Previously all "Marks" had been entrirely new.
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I used to follow Ford's (I worked for FMC for a few years) but I'm completely bemused by which Focus is which!
And do they still do that thing of having .25, .5 and .75 model year versions of the cars? That really put me off when we looked a couple of years ago as it wasn't clear what we'd be getting.
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Can't say I really mind what shape the headlights are on my cars. I usually go for models which are the "one before" the current one. They are usually way cheaper and seem to work surprisingly well given that the new version is always alleged to be so much better....
;-)
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Its the same with the Escort I was never sure if my dads was a MK6 or a MK7 sorry if I get my dates slightly wrong here.
1967 - Ford Escort MK1
1975 - 1980 - Ford Escort MK2
1980-1986 - Ford Escort MK3 - I am staggered this model was on sale for 6 years, I haven't seen one for years.
1986-1990 Escort MK4 - Even though underneath its pure MK3 so things get a little confusing here.
1990-1993 - Escort MK5 - Probably the worst car Ford have ever produced.
1993-1995 - Escort MK6 - Although it looks like a MK5 the suspension was changed a lot and so was the steering. However it should be a MK5.5
1995-2000 - Escort MK7 - But is it a MK6? So cofnused by now and it is still basicaly a MK5 with an improved chasis and more rounded body panals.
The 1994-1997 Fiesta was called the MK3, the same as the 89-94 model, despite this version being heavily improved (depending on your view point) I always refer it as a mk3.5
The Mondeo is the same, I refer to the latest Mondeo as the MK3, others the MK4.
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I have several different Focus catalogues and there's no mention of Mark numbers. They're just what motoring journalists make up.
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>>They're just what motoring journalists make up.
>>
So how do Ford identify slightly different focus (or any range of) models internally?
Edited by Old Navy on 08/11/2008 at 09:40
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Perhaps they use their own coding for each issue like BMW where the 3 series included E36, E46, E90 etc and similar for the 5 series and so on. Seems a more sensible way of doing it...
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So how do Ford identify slightly different focus (or any range of) models internally?
I think we'd need to ask a Ford employee to find that out.
Edited by L'escargot on 08/11/2008 at 09:58
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Very good history of the escort here
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Escort_(Europe)
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I think we'd need to ask a Ford employee to find that out.
They have codenames in the factory - I was there when MkII Escort was introduced and that was called Brenda. I don't recall there being names for facelift versions, but facelifting wasn;t done to the same extent then.
I doubt those internal factory names would be used in the dealer network anyway.
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Wasn't there a code name "Erica" for the first FWD Escort? Or did I just dream that....
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Did it involve dudes wearing shoes but no socks - if so it was probably reality. I actually think you're right.
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Humph - its something else entirely when you Google Escort and Erica !
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It was Erika according to Wiki
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Who did/does what exactly.......?
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Just read the Wiki thing. Ironic twist maybe that Erik A was a bloke first and then an Escort.
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And Erik C drove for Saab....
No, that wasn't helpful, was it. An Escort agency is a Ford garage isn't it?
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