Ford is reshaping its strategy in the European market, preparing to launch a new mid-size crossover to replace its iconic Ford Focus, which will cease production in November 2025. This new model, which will be produced at its Valencia, Spain, plant with a significant annual production capacity of 300,000 units, reflects the brand’s goal of strengthening its market position with gasoline, hybrid, and fully electric powertrain options.

Ford Focus Gives Place to Crossover

The new crossover will be built on Ford’s C2 platform, which has proven successful in many C-segment models, including the current fourth-generation Focus. This flexible platform will host both gasoline and hybrid versions of the new model. This move is seen as part of Ford’s strategy to meet the diverse demands of customers during the transition to electric vehicles and reach a broader audience.

However, the platform used for the all-electric version of the new model points to a broader picture regarding Ford’s global EV strategy. The company is developing a new architecture called the “Universal EV Platform” (UEVP) to produce more affordable electric vehicles in the US. It is not yet clear whether the fully electric crossover to be produced in Valencia will use this new platform or will be adapted into a fully electric version of the C2 platform. This decision is critical for the future of Ford’s electrification roadmap in Europe.

The approximately one-year gap between the Focus production halt in November 2025 and the new crossover’s production start in 2027 is noteworthy. This transition period brings with it a period of uncertainty for the Valencia factory and its workforce. How Ford will utilize this time for restructuring and modernizing the factory, and how it will manage its workforce during this period, is being closely watched in light of the brand’s European production commitments.

Ford’s decision to replace the Focus with a crossover is a direct response to changing consumer preferences in the European market and the growing popularity of the SUV segment. With this new model, the company aims to reassert its position in the fiercely competitive European market by offering affordable and versatile vehicle options. The success of this strategic transformation will directly impact Ford’s market share and profitability in the coming years.