Hi,

I'm a fan of the new 2011 / 2012 Focus saloon, but unfortunatly its not coming to Britain.

So when I checked out Ford Australia's site and saw they were getting the new Focus in Saloon form aswell as Hatch, I was wondering, couldn't you just say to Ford I really want a saloon Focus, obviously right hand drive, can't you ship one from Australia please???

(Also, on your car insurance would this then be classed as an import and make it more expensive?)

A right hand drive Focus saloon:

cheers

Paul

If you talked to a specialist importer this may be possible. But to most dealerships don't deal in this and also don't want to

Agreed, its too much hassle for them to arrange shippin the car, and costing them a lot of time and effort, when they can sell whats on the forecourt!

Definately go to a specialist importer, they would still be a lot cheaper than trying to import through Ford!

Also, yes you would have to state its an import, as technically the vehicle isnt released to the UK, so it may affect your premiums, however as its just the shell different, its a RHD then there is little attention to be drawn to it other than the shell, so its not going to massively rock your premium (or I would hope not anyway!)

Ah right. Thanks for your replies guys. I was just curious - couldn't change cars for a good few years yet anyway lol

:)

cheers

Paul

Run Ford Focus through Auto Trader, I did, 20 mile radius click on "Body Type" 424 hatchbacks for sale 6 saloon and theres your answer, NO DEMAND, dealers don't want them unless your prepared to give them away.

That said the Mk3 effort does not look a bad car, but like I did when I went from MK 1 Focus hatch to Volvo S40, I missed my rear wiper.

Run Ford Focus through Auto Trader, I did, 20 mile radius click on "Body Type" 424 hatchbacks for sale 6 saloon and theres your answer, NO DEMAND, dealers don't want them unless your prepared to give them away.

That said the Mk3 effort does not look a bad car, but like I did when I went from MK 1 Focus hatch to Volvo S40, I missed my rear wiper.

Yeah I know what you're saying :(

(I never noticed the missing wiper, hmm)

Sorry for bumping an old thread. Just thought I'd post my annoyance to find Ireland gets the saloon option too! lol. Why them but not us. Jees.

(Rant over)

If they have them in Ireland then you know what you need to do!

You will need to do a kilometres to miles conversion.

Any import will not be supported by Ford UK.

Hi, we don't have them because there just wasn't the demand for them...

Chris

Yeah you could always import from Ireland, but as has been said, support would be difficult, warranty would be tricky to uphold, so I would say, maybe buy a car that has lapsed the warranty, or is close. that way you can buy knowing it wouldnt really cost you any more than you would pay if the warranty has gone. Last thing you want is the car to come over, engine and gearbox fall out, and then your stuck with the bill after 99 miles on the engine! lol

Hi, we don't have them because there just wasn't the demand for them...

Chris

I agree. Ford will almost certainly use sales statistics of previous models when deciding to import future models.

For example, in the 80's the Orion was incredibly popular, so the saloon model of the 90's Escort was still sold.

My own perception (based on cars seen in the road with my own eyes, and totally non-scientific) is that this model was a lot less popular than the Orion, but popular enough that the saloon version of the Mk1 Focus was offered when it replaced the Escort.

Then came the Mk2 and I have probably seen less than 20 of those in saloon form, and Ford must have registered the lack of sales and chosen not to offer the Mk3 saloon in the UK

Yeah you could always import from Ireland, but as has been said, support would be difficult, warranty would be tricky to uphold, so I would say, maybe buy a car that has lapsed the warranty, or is close. that way you can buy knowing it wouldnt really cost you any more than you would pay if the warranty has gone. Last thing you want is the car to come over, engine and gearbox fall out, and then your stuck with the bill after 99 miles on the engine! lol

Isn't the warranty International?

What happens if (as a UK resident) I buy a brand new Ford from a main dealer, and then 6 months later I move to France and take the car with me?

Will my remaining warranty be honoured by Ford dealers in France (or whatever country I move to)?

Surely there must be allowances for people who take the cars with them when they move abroad? (perhaps as part of EU regulations about free trade or something?)

If so, wouldn't that cover a car imported from Ireland?

Possibly it could well be honoured, however the change of registration and the loss of notes against the vehicle could cause a great deal of trouble that some may not honour. you really need to read the T'c and C's of the warranty agreement you have in place! one would hope that the transfer of the warranty is possible, however each countries own rules are different, and as such each manufacturer based in each country may have their own regulations which are preceeded by state law.

I would say you would need to thoroughly investigate the decision, but be prepared incase the worst happens, and you find that you have no warranty.

You may find that you get a reduced warranty, and not the full support, as some parts may have been "manufactured for an environment, in which the warranty conditions differ, from its present climate". as such because you are changing the environment, it can make it difficult to push them to uphold their end of the bargain.

Ring around a few dealers, and ask them what there policy is on importing it, ignore the price tag and seem really interested and advise them you are still looking at the best solution, and will come back to them later.

They may then (if they see you as seriously interested) open up and tell you what your realms of support will be.

Furthermore, is it worth contacting Ford UK, and posing this question to them! They may be a bit more honest than Ford Dealers!

Isn't the warranty International?

What happens if (as a UK resident) I buy a brand new Ford from a main dealer, and then 6 months later I move to France and take the car with me?

Will my remaining warranty be honoured by Ford dealers in France (or whatever country I move to)?

Surely there must be allowances for people who take the cars with them when they move abroad? (perhaps as part of EU regulations about free trade or something?)

If so, wouldn't that cover a car imported from Ireland?

Hi, purchasing a car when actually in the country is not the same as having one imported...

Chris

In my ideal world I think Ford should drop the Mondeo, have the saloon Focus as their mid-size car, then introduce the 2013 Taurus to the UK as the large family/luxary car of their line-up.

:P Yum:

Hi, to my eye that is a old design of a car. Ford would be silly to drop the Mondeo,and they aren't going to,as it is its size that makes it so good for a larger family and the boot absolutely thrashs the Focus, rather, penny pinching attempt. Then you have the rear passenger space, lets face the focus is ok but really isn't really in the same league. I'd rather like to see the Mk5 Mondeo have all the features and interior design the Mk3 Focus has, then I'd certainly buy one again.

Chris

In my ideal world I think Ford should drop the Mondeo, have the saloon Focus as their mid-size car, then introduce the 2013 Taurus to the UK as the large family/luxary car of their line-up.

that looks a bit of a beast but I'm not sure Ford would want to give up their share of the 'family saloon' market leaving the likes of Vauxhall to take their share of the profits.

But I do like the booted Focus and I'm sure there would be a market, I think it's more about poor advertising than 'no demand'.

Tastes do change and look at the booted version of the BMW 1 series, they are starting to sell a fair number of those

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/index/0,,1156___bs-MQ%3D%3D@bb-RTgyQ1A%3D@sit-bmwuk,00.html

I think Ford should think again about the UK market B)

that looks a bit of a beast but I'm not sure Ford would want to give up their share of the 'family saloon' market leaving the likes of Vauxhall to take their share of the profits.

But I do like the booted Focus and I'm sure there would be a market, I think it's more about poor advertising than 'no demand'.

Tastes do change and look at the booted version of the BMW 1 series, they are starting to sell a fair number of those

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/index/0,,1156___bs-MQ%3D%3D@bb-RTgyQ1A%3D@sit-bmwuk,00.html

I think Ford should think again about the UK market B)

Hi, however that's not a saloon is it, just a coupe designed for those who want a more sporty look and only has a boot space of 370 litres anyway. To be honest I think Ford have got the boot space covered by the C-Max, which is a very good car.

Chris

Hi, however that's not a saloon is it, just a coupe designed for those who want a more sporty look and only has a boot space of 370 litres anyway. To be honest I think Ford have got the boot space covered by the C-Max, which is a very good car.

Chris

I thought we were talking styles here not load space. Bmw have shown you can still have style and a 'boot' and I believe the booted focus also does that. The C-max whilst a good vehicle really doesn't fit into the 'car' bracket more of a mpv - although I wouldn't say "no" to one :)

Hi, I thought we were talking about why the doesn't Ford sell the saloon in this country, that's why I said that the C-Max has got it covered. I actually very nearly brought one because of the space it offered but chose the Focus in the end...

Chris

Hi, I thought we were talking about why the doesn't Ford sell the saloon in this country, that's why I said that the C-Max has got it covered. I actually very nearly brought one because of the space it offered but chose the Focus in the end...

Chris

how much load space does the booted focus have?

how much load space does the booted focus have?

Trunk Volume (cu. ft.) - 13.2

Hi, it is 15.25 on the C-Max, or more depending what the spare arrangement is, so you can see why Ford think it is covered. The C-Max isn't sold in some countries where the Focus saloon is on sale, such as the USA.

Chris

I say keep the mondy, and bring the taurus over anyway! that is a very nice motor!