Owners Fear Delayed Focus RS Deliveries As Ford Cuts 2016 Model Year Production

[Ford Focus News]

Ford has cancelled 220 orders for the 2016 Ford Focus RS and shifted them to the 2017 model year, citing “exceeded expectations” for demand of the new AWD drift-happy hatchback, and upsetting a couple hundred owners in the process.

A Ford spokesperson confirmed the delay to The Truth About Cars after being approached about owner complaints of dealers citing “economic turmoil in Europe” for the delays. From TTAC:

According to emails obtained by TTAC, a Los Angeles dealer had three of its pending 2016 Focus RS orders cancelled by Ford and moved to the 2017 model year. That could mean months of delays for customers as they wait for next year’s deliveries.

The reason given to the dealer by a Ford rep for the cancellations? “Economic turmoil in Europe” that forced the Saarlouis plant to shut down, limiting production volume.

However, when TTAC asked Ford representative Dan Jones about the email, he stated 220 orders were cancelled simply because Ford couldn’t keep up with demand before a planned summer factory shutdown.

ord has prioritized the shifted 2016 orders and assures that owners should “experience almost no delay in delivery of their vehicle.” We’ll see if that holds up, as many owners have reported multiple delays in getting their RS in the past.

After Ford revealed the Focus RS it promised it wouldn’t limit production and that it could build as many as customers could order. Now they have to catch up to all the demand.

If you have one on back order, good luck to you! Let me know if you want someone else to drive it for a few hours when you get it.