Ford Motor Co.’s Focus sales are surging. Ford accredits the boost to the in-vehicle multimedia Sync system.
Samuel De La Garza, Focus marketing manager, said, “Younger buyers are very interested in technology like Sync. In addition to strong sales, we’re seeing the average age of Focus customers coming down”
(More details after the jump)
A J.D. Power & Associates study shows that 32% of 2008 Focus buyers are 16 to 35 years of age, according to Ward’s Auto. That’s up from 28% of 2007 Focus buyers.
George Pipas, U.S. sales analyst, told Ward’s Auto, “When you think about the significant small cars that have come into the market during the past few months, alone, a 4 percentage point jump is meaningful. This increase suggests younger buyers are starting to believe it’s cool to buy a Ford.”
Ford calls those born between 1980 and 1995 the “Millennial” generation and says they are aiding in the trend, with more than 11,000 reaching driving age every day. De La Garza said, that 40 percent of Focus buyers opted for the Sync system.
+ Ward’s Auto: Ford Focus Sales Surging
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I’m in the “millennial” age, and we bought a Focus in 06 for my wife! I don’t like the 08’s as much. No hatchback and the front end looks strange. The 3/4 rear view is very nice though as well as the interior and Sync.
So people are buying the car for the computer? Strange…
I’m not sure it’s a case of buying the car FOR it, but that it’s swinging buyers in that may or may not have been otherwise convinced. And I think that is a trend that will start to translate across Ford’s other lines. I took a peek at the Ford website and a Sync system is not terribly expensive, as far as options go.
imagine the sales if/when they switch to the Euro focus
Nobody ever got rich overestimating the taste of the American public…
I am bothered by all the flak Ford has taken over the ‘08 Focus. The latest Focus is a fine car. It remains a great passenger car for the value–even without Microsoft’s SYNC. A good Focus can be had for $16,000. A comparable Honda Civic would command at least $2,500 more; a Nissan Sentra a more reasonable $1,000.
There are bloggers, writers, and Web users bringing a revisionist history of the first Focus at the turn of the millennium a revolutionary car that stunned the auto world. I own the first-gen Focus. It’s the best car I have ever owned. It is not, however, revolutionary. I would consider owning another Focus–there is not question of that. The Euro Focus would be great–except the exchange rates and production costs that would add thousands to the starting price.
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This is the reason we can’t get decent cars here in the U.S. because we purchase a car for pointless options no matter how lame.
I still don’t trust the quality of American vehicles and would still buy a civic or a corolla. I’ve had a Grand Am and an F150 and they just seem like toys and in both the interior and electronics started shorting within a year of purchase. I have a 92 corolla that’s still running good (minus the clutch which is going to need to be replaced occasionally anyway especially with how hard I drive it) (210k miles btw). My friend got a new Corolla sport himself and it’s a nice ride as well. He’s only had it like 6 months now but if it makes it to the year mark that will have beaten the grand am and the F150. Maybe older cars were made better in general *shrugs* I don’t know. Maybe it was a fluke, but I can’t help but look up consumer complaints on American vs. Foreign (specifically Japanese) and see a trend favoring Japanese vehicles.
This article seems strange to me, from a retail salesman’s point of view. We’ve been selling the majority of our new foci WITHOUT sync. mostly to middle aged people looking to reduce gas costs and lower payments…sync adds(when you consider you have to add driver convenience package) close to $1000 or $20 per month to a payment and no one i’ve had buying a focus seems to care?
the car has been a huge success, i just think it has to do with the enhanced powertrain(more power same gas mileage/timing chain instead of belt) and safety features(6 airbags and improved braking) than a new gadget.
good press is good press though.
[…] wants the Sync system to offer more to its consumers. Martin Thall, the General Manager of Microsoft’s Automotive […]
[…] wants the Sync system to offer more to its consumers. Martin Thall, the General Manager of Microsoft’s Automotive […]
I love my 2008 focus and one of the reasons I got it was because of the Sync system. The focus still lacks in the power department and the design is to be acquired. Overall for the money I felt its the best choice and I’m happy with my decision. Does anyone know if there are plans for a hatchback version? I’m a member on focusfanatics.com and they said we are supposed to be getting the European design in 2010?
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