- The last Ford Focus ST has rolled off the Saarlouis production line in Germany.
- Focus ST production ends after four generations, first launched in 2002 as ST170.
- Next month, the Blue Oval will also end production of standard Focus models.
It’s the end of the road for yet another popular hot hatch, and fans will feel this one. First came the farewell to the Renault Megane RS, and now the curtain has fallen on the Ford Focus. With its departure, Ford’s entire hot hatch lineup is no more, following the earlier disappearance of the Fiesta ST.
Read: Ford Could Be Preparing To Fill A Focus-Sized Hole In Their Lineup
Images of the final Focus ST built at the carmaker’s Saarlouis plant in Germany were recently shared on social media. Finished in red, the car rolled off the line on September 26 with no special touches or commemorative details to mark its significance. For now, it’s also unclear which market this particular example will be sent to.
End of an Era
The sporty version of the Focus has been sold across four generations since it was first introduced in 2002 as the ST170 in Europe. It was preceded by the Focus SVT that was sold exclusively in North America. The current Focus ST has been on sale since mid-2019 and sports a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder petrol engine with 276 hp that’s coupled as standard to a six-speed manual transmission. Ford implemented a minor facelift for the 2022 model year in order for its hot hatch to keep up with rivals.
Despite never reaching the wild performance heights of the previous Focus RS, with its all-wheel drive system and extra muscle, the ST held its own as a lively, capable alternative to the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Renault Megane RS, and Hyundai i30 N.
Europe Loses a Favorite
Unfortunately, the ST’s end is only part of the story. Ford will wind down all Focus production in November, which means the company will no longer offer a traditional passenger car in Europe outside the SUV category. That leaves its regional lineup made up entirely of crossovers and SUVs. Driving enthusiasts may not be thrilled by that shift, but with demand steering so strongly in that direction, Ford is simply following the market.
