For the time being, Ford of Canada will not be bringing in the Focus Street Edition model that was recently announced for the U.S. at the Miami auto show.
But Chris Banks of Ford of Canada says the Oakville-based firm is studying the importation of this model and other Focus niche products already on sale in the U.S. "Before we bring any of these products to Canada," he says, "we need to be sure they will represent good value to the customer."
Banks promises that there will be two niche models designed specifically for the Canadian market unveiled in the second quarter of 2001, and promises details closer to that time.
In general marketing terms, the Focus Street Edition-which can be had as a sedan or as a wagon-is meant to "incorporate fashion, music and fun to attract the Echo Boom generation."
In merchandise terms, that means a suspension with the same springs, dampers and anti-roll bars used in European models for better handling, a 6-disc in-dash CD changer, sport bucket seats, a silver-masked instrument cluster, radio bezel and door accents, a silver shiftknob, 16-inch six-spoke machined aluminum wheels, and a chrome exhaust tip.
The front chin, rocker panels, bodyside moldings and lower rear fascia are black, while the exterior colors are Infra-Red, Egg Yolk Yellow and Malibu Blue.