315 Horse Ford Focus RS to be sold in U.S.

[ForzaV12]

Within the auto industry, Canadian products are lumped in with USA products. Fiercely so. When my Dad was still working, he had several companies that made parts for him in Canada. Don't you dare show up in a "foreign" car to see them... A saleman showed up in a Volvo while he was up there.... They escorted him off the property and told him to come back when he could buy "American".

So I have no issue with the Hellcat being built in Canada...

I have changed my tune a lot in the last few years regarding what I buy. I used to be fiercely loyal to Mopar, but when my wife wanted a new vehicle, we didn't like anything they offered, so I went out and drove everything, GM, Ford, you name it. Ended up buying a Kia Sorento(built in Georgia). It offered what we wanted, and we like the styling better than anything else...

I really woke up back in 2008. I was looking for a small car that got great mileage for me to drive to work. I had a Dodge Stratus, but 25 mpg was killing me driving 90 miles a day. I ended up being one of the first folks in Indiana to buy the new smart fortwo. Go ahead and laugh, but it gets 43 mpg all the time, and 7 years and 171,000 miles later, it's the best car I've ever owned... I've put less than $100 total in repairs during that time, and I would get in it tomorrow and drive across the country if I had to. It doesn't use oil, it doesn't leak, it just works... every day...

I wouldn't buy a Korean car either. nearly impossible to buy one of our cars in Korea because of protectionist legislation-a few years back they sent our president packing after basically telling him to pound sand regarding fair trade with automobiles. They too, skirt regs with sweetheart local deals that give them free land, reduced taxes and other un-needed advantages provided by areas willing to sell their souls for a quick buck.

Since fiat took over Chrysler, they have invested hundreds of millions, if not billions of dollars in the USA. They have invested $374,000,000 in the kokomo Indiana transmission plant alone.

Of course they have. They were given Chrysler for essentially nothing. I said from the get go that it was a great merger(while many here were calling it a disaster) and I'm glad that Mopar is basically saving their bacon now with record profits(shoring up the weak European market). It never should have gotten to that point-I'm surprised Mopar survived after the raping and pillaging from Mercedes and Cerebus. Shameful.

This is true. It depends on which monies you are referring to. As mentioned many of the "foreign" car companies spend money in the United States employing US workers, building assembly plants and offices. It's become so grey to me that really doesn't sway my preference in vehicles anymore.

Sure they do. Sweetheart deals and BS allowed this to happen after those same countries used their government tills, home base customer loyalty, protectionism and unfair trade to establish a beach head here. It never could have happened if we hadn't been so willing to let the Trojan horses in. Of course, our manufacturers weren't blameless as they produced some pure crap during the late 70s-80s. No longer the case and I don't understand buying any regular foreign car(exotics,etc are completely different segments) when a comparable domestic is available.

[contraption22]

Of course they have. They were given Chrysler for essentially nothing. I said from the get go that it was a great merger(while many here were calling it a disaster) and I'm glad that Mopar is basically saving their bacon now with record profits(shoring up the weak European market). It never should have gotten to that point-I'm surprised Mopar survived after the raping and pillaging from Mercedes and Cerebus. Shameful.


Sure they do. Sweetheart deals and BS allowed this to happen after those same countries used their government tills, home base customer loyalty, protectionism and unfair trade to establish a beach head here. It never could have happened if we hadn't been so willing to let the Trojan horses in. Of course, our manufacturers weren't blameless as they produced some pure crap during the late 70s-80s. No longer the case and I don't understand buying any regular foreign car(exotics,etc are completely different segments) when a comparable domestic is available.

I put a large amount of blame on the unions and the politicians that work so hard to protect them for the current situation. It could have been prevented if the US Auto Industry was allowed to be focused on overall quality than anything else, instead of being squeezed from both ends by the government and their own workers. If they had focused on quality, the profits would have come.

[83scamp]

There is a ForTwo that I often seem to be in front of or behind during my daily commute into work. I can't help but look at it and wonder how much they are saving in gas, and if it is worth putting their life on the line for it.

I'll take two tons of Jeep and 10/20 mpg, thanks.

Well, that's the cool thing, different strokes for different folks. I have never felt threatened or unsafe in my smart. In fact, it passed with flying colors every test IIHS has thrown at it. People look at the small size and think that's all there is to it. Kind of like a lot of folks look at us TM guys and wonder about us... There is a lot of engineering went into that little chassis to keep the passengers safe. Truth is, IIHS just release a report of overall accident and death rates for vehicle sold here since 2008, and the smart is statistically, one of the safer cars sold...

Sorry to get so off topic...

[shadow88]

On paper, sounds like an sti beater. Hopefully Dodge and the rest of the market will release a competitor rather than another also-ran.

[contraption22]

Well, that's the cool thing, different strokes for different folks. I have never felt threatened or unsafe in my smart. In fact, it passed with flying colors every test IIHS has thrown at it. People look at the small size and think that's all there is to it. Kind of like a lot of folks look at us TM guys and wonder about us... There is a lot of engineering went into that little chassis to keep the passengers safe. Truth is, IIHS just release a report of overall accident and death rates for vehicle sold here since 2008, and the smart is statistically, one of the safer cars sold...

Sorry to get so off topic...

Thats comforting to know that they are safer than they appear.

[thedon809]

I rode in a smart before. It was hilarious and horrible at the same time.

[zin]

This is true. It depends on which monies you are referring to. As mentioned many of the "foreign" car companies spend money in the United States employing US workers, building assembly plants and offices. It's become so grey to me that really doesn't sway my preference in vehicles anymore.

The "in the end" money is what I use as the yardstick as to "is it foreign or domestic", do the profits stay here or go overseas? If they stay here, it's domestic, if it goes elsewhere, it's foreign.

Which makes Chrysler a tough call, since they have been "foreign owned" for some time now, but having been part of the "Big Three" it's kind of pre-programed that they are domestic, which technically I guess they are not.

Next we can look at how much of a car is "domestic" compared to foreign, and make a call that way, but it's certainly a tougher thing to figure out, if one cares to support the "most domestic" import, the supply chain as well as location of assembly are factors, and we could also include repair parts an it's supply chain...

Makes for a potentially frustrating situation for those who are thoughtful in these things.

Mike

PS I hate to admit it, but my Step-Mom also bought a "Smart for Two" a few years ago (a convertible at that!). So far I've been able to avoid riding in it, but they enjoy it... somehow.

[mcsvt]

I just wish they were 2015, not 2016. I want one now.

[Ubmbass]

I will be trading in my ST for an RS when they come out. I have wanted an RS for years!! My ST put 275hp and 365lb ft of torque, I'd love to have AWD and more power, my omni has no traction, my Focus has no traction, my van had little traction. I'm ready for some power to the ground.

[Ondonti]

I will be trading in my ST for an RS when they come out. I have wanted an RS for years!! My ST put 275hp and 365lb ft of torque, I'd love to have AWD and more power, my omni has no traction, my Focus has no traction, my van had little traction. I'm ready for some power to the ground.

What do the guys at rallysport think of this car vs the Japanese stuff? Is it all voodoo or what. I figure people know exactly what drivetrain and engine capabilities are and what modifications can be done to improve the Japanese stuff. Not fun to build something up and realize there is a dealbreaker.
I do not understand why Ford never sold AWD here.

[83scamp]

Next we can look at how much of a car is "domestic" compared to foreign, and make a call that way, but it's certainly a tougher thing to figure out, if one cares to support the "most domestic" import, the supply chain as well as location of assembly are factors, and we could also include repair parts an it's supply chain...

Makes for a potentially frustrating situation for those who are thoughtful in these things.

Mike

PS I hate to admit it, but my Step-Mom also bought a "Smart for Two" a few years ago (a convertible at that!). So far I've been able to avoid riding in it, but they enjoy it... somehow.

I hear you on that... My Dad purchased a Toyota Tundra back in '07, and a bunch of guys he worked with at the time gave him a bunch of crap for buying a "Jap" truck... the worst one was a guy with a Chevy Avalanche. Dad looked up the US content on both vehicles. The Toyota was over 80% US made, the Avalanche? About 50%. Shut that guy up pretty quick...

As far as the smart... glad your Mother-in-law enjoys hers. I enjoy mine. Try it you might like it... I'm not trying to convince anybody here to own one, it's not for everybody. Reminds me of the decals I see on Jeeps a lot: if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand... I enjoy it like I enjoy my Scamp, just for very different reasons. If you had told me 10 years ago I could have this much fun with 70 hp, I'd have told you that you were nuts...

Like I said before, different strokes for different folks...

[Ubmbass]

What do the guys at rallysport think of this car vs the Japanese stuff? Is it all voodoo or what. I figure people know exactly what drivetrain and engine capabilities are and what modifications can be done to improve the Japanese stuff. Not fun to build something up and realize there is a dealbreaker.
I do not understand why Ford never sold AWD here.

Actually, COBB Tuning, RallySport Direct and a lot of other companies are really excited for this new platform. COBB has really been getting into the ecoboost market with their Accessports and intake/exhaust/downpipes and are looking forward to making parts for this car. They have done a great job so far on the 15 Mustang's 2.3. Working at RSD gives me a few perks as I am able to do some early testing on some of the parts being released for the Focus.

This will be a huge breakthrough car in this market, there will finally be a USDM (of sorts) car to compete with the Subarus.

Corby

[thedon809]

I hear you on that... My Dad purchased a Toyota Tundra back in '07, and a bunch of guys he worked with at the time gave him a bunch of crap for buying a "Jap" truck... the worst one was a guy with a Chevy Avalanche. Dad looked up the US content on both vehicles. The Toyota was over 80% US made, the Avalanche? About 50%. Shut that guy up pretty quick...

As far as the smart... glad your Mother-in-law enjoys hers. I enjoy mine. Try it you might like it... I'm not trying to convince anybody here to own one, it's not for everybody. Reminds me of the decals I see on Jeeps a lot: if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand... I enjoy it like I enjoy my Scamp, just for very different reasons. If you had told me 10 years ago I could have this much fun with 70 hp, I'd have told you that you were nuts...

Like I said before, different strokes for different folks...

The tundra has the most ridiculous looking shifter I have ever seen. It's massive. They are a PITA to work on and expensive to fix. We have a guy with a 2010 tundra who comes to my shop regularly (dodge dealer, he bought it from us used). I have had to replace the charcoal canister with evap solenoid, like 600 dollars for that part. Rear wheel bearings had to be replaced (something crazy like $400 each). The hardest wheel bearings I have ever had the displeasure doing. The bearings were pressed onto the axle shaft with such a tight fit, our big press was twisting like a pretzel until it popped loose. It sounded like a 12 gauge going off. It had problems with abs and traction control but we sent it over to toyota next door for that.

[sdac guy]

So when did Canada become a state? Before 1916?

I'm not saying it's new. I'm just say that if we're going to label a car "domestic", that should be defined.

How about we just say any car company based in country the United States had never declared war on is "domestic".

Whoa, hold on there Mike. Haven't you ever seen 'Canadian Bacon' ?


Barry

[ATaylorRacing]

There is a ForTwo that I often seem to be in front of or behind during my daily commute into work. I can't help but look at it and wonder how much they are saving in gas......

The Smart Car is just a gimmick...like the 500...premium gas and only 40 mpg for the 2016 model Smart. The larger Mazda 6 is rated at 40 while the 3 is rated at 41. The Prius is rated at 51 city and 48 hiway...our 2011 always gets over 50 in warm weather and we have seen 62 on a long 55 mph stint...2 mpg better than a 96 Geo Metro that had homemade headlight covers, grill block, and 140 lbs of wt removed.

[supercrackerbox]

I will be trading in my ST for an RS when they come out. I have wanted an RS for years!! My ST put 275hp and 365lb ft of torque, I'd love to have AWD and more power, my omni has no traction, my Focus has no traction, my van had little traction. I'm ready for some power to the ground.

Is that Cobb tuner kit all it's cracked up to be? How user friendly is it?

[mcsvt]

Is that Cobb tuner kit all it's cracked up to be? How user friendly is it?

I use the Cobb Accessport on my WRX, it's very user friendly, before I went with a "Pro Tune" I was using their Access Race tuner program, it's like a turbocharged version of what we us for TM's. I had to adjust my wastegate tables to account for an EBCS and it was very easy. Logging is supper easy too.

[2.216VTurbo]

Actually, COBB Tuning, RallySport Direct and a lot of other companies are really excited for this new platform. COBB has really been getting into the ecoboost market with their Accessports and intake/exhaust/downpipes and are looking forward to making parts for this car. They have done a great job so far on the 15 Mustang's 2.3. Working at RSD gives me a few perks as I am able to do some early testing on some of the parts being released for the Focus.

This will be a huge breakthrough car in this market, there will finally be a USDM (of sorts) car to compete with the Subarus.

Corby

Unfortunately that was not my experience with them out here in Cali. I tried to rent AWD dyno time from them last year for some baseline 'before' pulls and tuning on my Ecoboost Explorer Sport, 3 calls and a couple emails into them and they were too busy to care or respond I ended up at a Porsche shop called GMG Motorsports. They were great and I'd use them again. Maybe COBB is not into the 3.5 EB powerplant but I don't see why not. I see at least 4-5 E Sports a day and lots have visual mods, I'm sure those guys are tuning too.

[RoadWarrior222]

So when did Canada become a state? Before 1916?

I'm not saying it's new. I'm just say that if we're going to label a car "domestic", that should be defined.

How about we just say any car company based in country the United States had never declared war on is "domestic".

Heh, that makes Peugeot, Citroen, Renault domestic, but models like the "last real american car" Crown Victoria not.

[contraption22]

Here's an interesting look at "American cars" by domestic content.

http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story....op&subject=ami