Actually, the Focus was introduced to the UK and the rest of Europe in 1998. We, in the US got the car in 2000 and we have that same focus underpinnings from that car to this day. The Focus is going into its third generation in Europe, but we still have the old one.

What's the difference between the old Euro 1st gen Focus and its US 1st gen Mexican made counterpart? Nothing. Other than which side the driver's seat is on. Nothing is differnent, no inferior parts. Thats bullshit.

Why would Ford re-engineer inferior components for another market? It would actually cost more money to do so. Its the same damn car. They are not going to go through the expense and effort to make alternate parts just so they can sell it cheaper. Rediculous.

Today, their more modern current Focus is a way better car than my old Focus, or even our current updated (but still old platform) Focus. The current Focus in the States is not the same car that Europe has just made more shitty.

Infact, you can sort of get the Euro Focus here in the US, it's called the Mazda 3 or the Volvo C30. Both of those cars share the current Euro Focus platform, and not the older 1 st gen US spec Focus platform.

Current Euro Focus

Current US Focus (ugly, but not a bad car)

old US Focus

Current US Mazdaspeed 3

Current US Volvo C30