Goodbye Focus ST

Farewell Focus ST

Here we are, folks. The Ford Focus ST, the last of Ford’s iconic hot hatchbacks, has no more room left on its order books. Ford has confirmed that each and every factory slot for the Focus ST production has been claimed. While there might still be a handful of these cars stashed away at dealerships around Europe, these could be the last chances to snag one. When the assembly lines shut down in November, it really marks the end of a 45-year journey of Ford’s hot hatches.

Shifts in Europe

The Ford Focus isn’t alone in its departure. The Fiesta said its goodbyes in 2023, followed by the Mondeo in 2022, and the Ka left back in 2020. Now Ford’s European lineup houses mostly crossovers like the Puma and Kuga. The absence of these staple passenger cars in Ford’s catalog has been felt in their sales figures, where a notable dip was seen with only 149,601 units sold in the EU, U.K., and EFTA through April—a drop of 2.2% compared to the previous year. With the likes of Volkswagen outpacing them significantly, and even Hyundai and Kia moving ahead, it’s clear that omitting these throwback cars has cost Ford some serious ground in the market.

Mustang’s Role

The Mustang continues to wave the performance flag, now in its seventh generation. However, over in Europe, it’s a bit of a different story. The Mustang’s larger engines don’t exactly play well with the taxes on engines above two liters there, which leaves it less of a mass-market player and more of a performance niche vehicle. The 5.0-liter V-8 might roar, but it can’t quite fill the shoes of the former, more economical ST models that dished out excitement without breaking the bank.

The EV Future

Looking ahead, the possible return of Ford’s hot hatches may rely on electric power rather than traditional engines. There’s buzz that Ford might leverage VW’s MEB electric platform, potentially paving the way for electric variants of the Fiesta ST or Focus ST. With VW already sketching out a future with an electric version of their beloved GTI, it’s not far-fetched to think Ford could follow suit if the numbers add up. Until then, enthusiasts may have to seek out older models or look to competitors still crafting gas-powered hot hatches.

Reflecting Back

From the Fiesta Supersport lighting the fuse in 1980 to the spirited Escort RS and Fiesta XR2, Ford’s hot hatch tradition has undoubtedly left its mark. Now, with the Focus ST leaving the stage, its combustion progeny become stories from the past. Anything that might come next—a sparky, electric successor—will likely sigh rather than roar. While enthusiasts keep those memories close, there’s still a chance to capture one of the remaining Focus STs before it turns the final corner.