Ford will cease production of its iconic Focus model in late 2025, signaling the automaker’s accelerated shift towards an electric vehicle lineup and away from traditional passenger cars in Europe. The move marks the end of a 27-year run for the popular compact car.
The final Ford Focus unit is expected to roll off the assembly line at the Saarlouis factory in Germany on November 14, 2025. This white five-door hatchback will conclude vehicle manufacturing at the facility for Ford.
Volker Eis, Ford Europe’s Corporate Communications Director, confirmed that the Saarlouis plant will no longer produce vehicles for the brand. Ford’s future in Europe will instead focus on new electric models like the upcoming Capri and Explorer.
The Focus, along with the Fiesta—which was discontinued in mid-2023—was a cornerstone of Ford’s success in Europe. These two models were instrumental in the manufacturer becoming the continent’s second-largest brand in 2015.
The discontinuation, though anticipated by many, reflects new market trends, evolving consumer preferences, and the industry’s broader transition to electric mobility. Both the Focus and Fiesta had led sales charts for decades.
Former Ford Europe president Stuart Rowley had previously announced in 2022 that the Saarlouis factory would end vehicle production in 2025.
Rowley stated at the time, “We are looking for alternative opportunities for vehicle production in Saarlouis, including selling to other manufacturers. We do not have an additional model in our planning cycle that will enter Saarlouis.”
Following this decision, Ford concentrated its efforts and investments on the Almussafes plant in Valencia, Spain. This facility has become a central hub for developing Ford’s new GE2 electric vehicle platform.
While electrification is the primary driver of this strategic transformation, it is not the sole reason for the Focus’s decline. The model’s end began in April 2018 when Ford announced it would stop selling sedans in the United States.
The company aligned its production with the growing demand for SUVs, pickups, and commercial vehicles, which also offered higher profit margins. After peaking as the world’s best-selling car in 2012, Focus sales saw a sharp decline from 2014 as consumers shifted preferences.
The Focus’s departure leaves a gap in Ford’s C-segment offerings. However, the company plans to introduce a new crossover in 2027. This vehicle, intended as a spiritual successor, will be produced in Spain and utilize the C2 architecture, the same platform as the fourth-generation Focus.