Ford is creating quite a splash in the U.S. with its plans for the entry-level Focus due to go on sale in a few weeks, but Canada won't see much or any of this in either TV commercial or consumer terms.
Ford of Canada won't air the live commercials using the young actress (Annabelle Gurwitch, the super-snippy host of Dinner & A Movie on the TBS cable network), even though the concept is quite a departure for TV advertising and the execution looks like it could be entertaining.
The Oakville branch of the Detroit firm will instead use the commercials originally made to promote the car in Europe, which do cater to the same younger audience.
More importantly for the people who actually consider buying the Focus (which will list for between $15,000 to $20,000, give or take), Ford of Canada has not yet decided if it will offer any or all of the special packages that will be available in the U.S.
By the end of the year, U.S. buyers will be able to choose an Express Yourself Package, a Pet Package, a Friend Package, a Professional Package or a Sports Package for their new Focus, but maybe not north of the border.
To express yourself, Ford will let U.S. buyers ( the ones they call the "tattoo types") put a wide range of decals on the outside of the car, ranging from flowers to swirls and "can turn any drive into a flight of fancy. And the current designs are a far cry from the flames and pin-stripes of yesteryear."