Ford Focus (third generation)

For a complete overview of all Focus models, see Ford Focus.

Ford Focus (third generation)
Overview
ManufacturerFord
Model code
  • C346[1][2]
  • LW (2011–2015, Australia)[3]
  • LZ (2015–2018, Australia)[3]
ProductionDecember 2010 – 2019
Model years2010–2018 (Europe)
2012–2019 (North/South America)
Assembly
DesignerMartin Smith, Stefan Lamm, Murat Güler (2008)

Kemal Curić (wagon/5 door: 2008)
Todd Willing (sedan: 2009)

Tiago Dias, Ernst Reim (interior: 2008)[citation needed]
Body and chassis
ClassCompact car / small family car (C)
Body style5-door hatchback
4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive (Focus RS only)
PlatformFord global C-car platform[4]
Related
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,648 mm (104.3 in)
Length4,358 mm (171.6 in) (hatchback)
4,534 mm (178.5 in) (sedan)
4,556 mm (179.4 in) (wagon/estate)
Width1,823 mm (71.8 in)
Height1,484 mm (58.4 in) (sedan, hatchback)
1,505 mm (59.3 in) (wagon)
Curb weight1,270–1,471 kg (2,800–3,243 lb)
RS: 1,569 kg (3,459 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorFord Focus (second generation, North America)
Ford Focus (second generation, Europe)
SuccessorFord Focus (fourth generation)

The Ford Focus (third generation), also known as the Focus Mk III, (Code name: C346) debuted at the 2010 North American International Auto Show as a 2012 model. The cars shown were a 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback, also debuting a new 2.0-litre direct injection I4 engine. A 5-door estate (wagon) was previewed at the Geneva Motor Show a month later.[6]

This generation of Focus would be the first Ford vehicle designed under the tenure of CEO Alan Mulally and his "One Ford" plan, which aimed to leverage Ford's global resources into creating more competitive vehicles that could be sold globally in each segment with minimal changes.[7]

The "One Ford" plan would reunite the North American and global Focus line. The previous North American version was thus discontinued, and the new model was launched simultaneously in North America and Europe on March 2, 2011, both having started production near the end of 2010.[8][9] Production in Asia, Africa, and South America followed later.

Ford debuted the all-electric Ford Focus Electric at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2011 to compete with the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt and announced the hot hatch ST model at the Paris Motor Show in September 2010.

The Ford Focus was the best-selling car in the world for 2012.[10]

The third generation Focus originally was intended to spawn a compact sedan that was to be sold by the Mercury division, following Ford confirming its 2012 lineups with its dealers. While not officially confirmed by Ford, two Mercury dealers stated that the car would be sold as the Mercury Tracer. It would've given Mercury two sedans again following the discontinuation of the Grand Marquis after the 2011 model year, and would've slotted below the larger Milan. It was to go on sale in 2011 for the 2012 model year. The plans for the new Tracer, however, were scrapped after Ford announced the closure of the Mercury division in the summer of 2010.[11][12]

  1. ^ "Ford Focus [MK3] [C346] (2011 - 2014) used car review | Car review | RAC Drive". www.rac.co.uk. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  2. ^ "Ford Focus - 3rd-gen C346 debuts, RM116k-RM129k - paultan.org". Paul Tan's Automotive News. September 13, 2012. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Ford Focus reviews". ProductReview.com.au. April 30, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  4. ^ "Dynamic Next-Generation Ford Focus Debuts | Ford Motor Company Newsroom". Media.ford.com. 11 January 2010. Archived from the original on 18 November 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  5. ^ "First Look: 2012 Ford Focus Wagon". Automobile Magazine. March 1, 2010. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  6. ^ "Exciting New Next-Generation Ford Focus Gears Up For Launch | Ford Motor Company Newsroom". Media.ford.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  7. ^ "Ford Focus chief quits". Autocar. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  8. ^ "Detroit auto show: 2012 Ford Focus, most significant by AW Editors' Choice Awards". Autoweek.com. January 18, 2010. Archived from the original on January 21, 2010. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
  9. ^ "DYNAMIC NEXT-GENERATION FORD FOCUS DEBUTS" (Press release). Ford Motor Company. January 11, 2009. Archived from the original on November 18, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2010.
  10. ^ James Tate, Ford Focus is best-selling model worldwide in 2012 editorial.autos.msn.com Archived April 12, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 11, 2013
  11. ^ "Mercury Reportedly Getting Focus-Based Small Car, Smart Move?". MotorTrend. September 29, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  12. ^ "Dead Before Arrival: Mercury Killed, Compact Tracer Vanishes". Green Car Reports. June 2, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2023.