Ford Fiesta and Focus axed

Ford Australia has announced the discontinuation of both the Ford Focus ST – a day after we named it carsales’ Best Hot Hatch for 2022 – and the Ford Fiesta ST by the end of this year.

The axing of the final remaining ST hot hatch versions of both Ford small cars means the Mustang will be the only new car left remaining in Ford Australia showrooms, which are now dominated by SUVs and the new Ford Ranger ute.

The move, which Ford blames on semiconductor-related supply constraints, echo’s the Blue Oval’s transition to becoming an SUV and pickup only brand in the US, and similar transformations by brands in Australia including Nissan and Mitsubishi.

It also highlights the wider march by automotive consumers towards SUVs and utes and away from traditional passenger models both globally and in Australia, where cars now represent less than 20 per cent of the nation’s new-vehicle market.

A decade ago most of Australia’s top-selling vehicles were small cars and Ford Australia once had plans to produce the Focus locally. But Fiesta and Focus sales have been in freefall for several years, forcing Ford to axe all but the hot ST versions last year.

The discontinuation of the Focus follows the axing of the Toyota Prius, Hyundai IONIQ and Alfa Romeo Giulietta, and leaves Australia’s mainstream small-car segment comprising less than 10 models, including the top-selling Toyota Corolla, plus the Honda Civic, Hyundai i30, Kia Cerato, Mazda3, Peugeot 308, Renault Megane, Skoda Scala, Subaru Impreza/WRX and Volkswagen Golf, which itself may not be replaced.

Similarly, the departure of the Fiesta, Honda Jazz, Honda City and Toyota Prius c leaves less than 10 mainstream light cars remaining available in Australia, including the Hyundai i20, Kia Rio, Mazda2, MG3, Skoda Fabia, Suzuki Baleno and Swift, Toyota Yaris and Volkswagen Polo.

To July this year Ford Australia has sold just 71 Fiestas (down more than 75%), representing only 0.3 per cent of the mainstream light-car segment, along with just 102 Focus vehicles – down more than 80 per cent and accounting for only 0.2 per cent of the mainstream small-car segment.

Ford Australia said it has secured the supply of around 40 Focus STs, including the award-winning new Focus ST X, so you’ll need to be quick if you want to own what’s likely to be the last ever Ford Focus available in Australia.

“Both the Focus ST and Fiesta ST have been segment-defining hot hatches for Ford Australia and have put smiles on the faces of enthusiasts across the country, and we want to thank those fans for their passion,” said Ford Australia president Andrew Birkic.

“But with semiconductor-related supply shortages and our focus on emerging areas of growth, we’ve made the difficult decision to call time on these iconic hot hatches in Australia. We look forward to sharing more about the next era of our performance vehicle line-up soon,” said Birkic. 

Ford Australia said it will continue to support existing Fiesta and Focus owners with aftersales services including spare parts and maintenance, and that Aussies will continue to have access to Ford Performance models including the popular Mustang and Ranger Raptor, both of which are about to be renewed. “The Ford Mustang remains the country’s most popular sports car, and we’re preparing for the launch of the next-generation Ranger Raptor which sets a new performance benchmark for dual-cab utes in Australia,” said Birkic.

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