Laser successor in soft Focus

By ALASTAIR SLOANE motoring editor

Here's the bully: the Ford Laser is on the way out. Its replacement, the Focus, was launched 48 hours ago on the roads between Auckland and Tongariro and will go on sale here early next year.

Why the months-long delay? It just worked out that way, says Ford.

But the Focus is already on sale in Australia and aren't the Aussies taking pretty much the same car? Yes, but it just worked out that way, says Ford.

What about price? The Aussies have priced it between the equivalent of $25,000 and $33,000. Not until nearer the launch. It's an internal decision, says Ford.

Is this a new tactic? Something similar to the drip-feeding over many months of details of the BA Falcon? No, it just worked out that way, says Ford.

But you have been pushing the appearance of the Focus in New Zealand on a Ford website for some time. Why officially launch it many months before it goes on sale? There are some equipment details still to be finalised and it just worked out that way, says Ford.

Ford has deliberately given the Focus a soft entry into New Zealand, saying it will "eventually" replace the Laser.

Fact is, the Focus unofficially takes over from the Laser from today, even though it won't go on sale until about March.

Buyers have six months to get used to the Laser's departure. It has been a good servant. Ford wants its exit to be honourable. Besides, say the bean-counters, there are still unsold Lasers about.

The arrival of the Focus can be seen as a further move by Ford away from the long-time cross-pollination of vehicles with Mazda of Japan.

The European Mondeo replaced the Ford Telstar/Mazda 626. The Focus takes Ford away from the Laser/Mazda 323 link. Next year, Ford is expected to bring in another European, the Fiesta. It already has the Belgium-built Ka. Mazda is Japan. Ford is America/Europe/Australia.

The shift towards European product, say observers, has much to do with the increased popularity of European vehicles in New Zealand and Australia over the past few years.

The figures tell the story. Sales in Australia of European-built cars have grown by almost 500 per cent from 17,000 in 1993 to an expected 100,000 this year.

Nine years ago in Australia, European cars accounted for 4.2 per cent of sales. This year 20 per cent of cars sold across the ditch will have a European accent.

In New Zealand, sales are up about 70 per cent in three years, from about 4000 vehicles and 8.6 per cent of the market in 1998 to 7000 vehicles and 12.8 per cent of the market last year. The Europeans expect between 15 and 16 per cent of the market this year.

What's behind the growth? Mostly, it's good-looking cars, aggressive pricing, sharp marketing and a wider choice.

The Focus is typical of the best of Europe. Since its launch in Britain in October 1998, it has notched up more than 2.5 million sales worldwide.

It has been the world's best-selling car since 2000 and has won widespread critical acclaim for its refinement, engineering and all-round performance.

It has also won more than 50 international awards, including European Car of the Year in 1999 and North American Car of the Year in 2000. It is the only car to have won both gongs.

The Focus launched Ford's "New Edge" philosophy, an in-house design standard. It was built with an elevated roofline and the wheels at the corners, to create more head and leg room. The seats were raised to created a better H, or hip level, point for an improved view for occupants.

New Zealand will get the facelifted British-spec Focus, built at Ford's Saarlouis plant in Germany. Earlier this year, Germany's quality control watchdog TUV named the Saarlouis-built Focus as the industry leader in reliability for cars between one and three years old.

Four three- and five-door hatchback models will be available here - the entry-level Focus, powered by a 74kW/145Nm 1.6-litre engine, the Zetec and Ghia, powered by a 96kW/178Nm 2-litre engine, and the sporting ST170, running a 2-litre Duratec ST engine producing 127kW at 7000rpm and 196Nm at 5500rpm.

The ST170 uses a six-speed manual Getrag gearbox. The 1.6-litre Focus and Zetec models get the choice of a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. The Ghia is only automatic.

Each model comes with Ford's "control blade" independent rear suspension, a set-up praised worldwide for its precise ride/handling mix.

The 1.6-litre Focus comes with dual front airbags and air-conditioning as standard. Anti-lock brakes are optional. The Zetec, Ghia and ST170 have standard front and side airbags, air-conditioning and anti-lock brakes, among other items.

Said Barbara Paley, brand manager for the model in New Zealand: "Focus has attitude, it is spirited, innovative and exciting. That is why it has become the most popular car in the world."

The most exciting Focus is the World Rally Championship model, piloted by Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz. It runs a turbocharged 2-litre Duratec engine producing 220kW (300bhp) at 6500rpm and 550Nm of torque at 4000rpm.