Ford Focus RS sold out until mid-2017
Australian waiting list for Ford's all-wheel hot hatch may extend to 18 monthsFord is denying its hottest ever hatchback, the Focus RS, is sold out in Australia. But that's not what its dealer network is saying.
After thrashing the 257kW uber-hatch for two days on road, track and skidpan during the international launch last month, we know the car represents a quantum shift in the hot hatch playing field.
But the AWD sizzler, which is priced at $50,990 in Australia, is proving so popular – both globally and locally – that demand is outstripping supply by orders of magnitude that may make the Mustang waiting lists (and past queues for the Golf GTI and Mercedes-AMG A 45) appear quaint.
Reaffirming our previous report on the scarcity of Focus RS vehicles Down Under, dealer sources are now suggesting that 2016 stock of the fiery Focus is all but sold out – and that the next batch of vehicles may not materialise in this country until the second half of 2017.
Ford Australia Communications and Public Affairs Director, Wes Sherwood, told motoring.com.au that there were some Focus RS vehicles left – but wouldn't say how many.
"There are vehicles available, and we're confident we can help customers [who want one]. We're not at Mustang [wait list] levels yet," he insisted.
However, motoring.com.au understands that if you don't have your name and a deposit attached to a Focus RS right now, you may be in for a painfully long wait.
Asked if customers would have to wait until the second half of next year for the hot Focus, Sherwood hedged his bets and even suggested supply was deliberately shorter than demand.
"We haven't got into specific [volume] detailing. We work with plants to manage supply as best as possible. In terms of how many cars are coming and when they are coming, we don't reveal that.
"We want to satisfy demand without saturating the market. You want some exclusivity around it," he stated.
Either Ford's dealers are playing cute or there's a disconnect in Ford Australia's HQ.
One Focus RS buyer motoring.com.au spoke to said he managed to find a vehicle but only after weeks of calls and emails to around 10 different Ford dealers Australia-wide.
"There's no cars in Perth, one car left in Adelaide... I didn't call Darwin, and eventually found one in Victoria," he said.
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