All About Japan Autos

Daily Auto News

The 2012 Ford Focus Wagon made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show this week. By all accounts, it’s a good-looking, functional vehicle. But don’t get too excited. While the 2012 Focus sedan and hatchback will arrive on our shores, the wagon model will only be sold in Europe.

That’s due to low demand – Left Lane News notes that the last time Ford offered a Focus wagon in the U.S., it snagged only a “sub-4 percent share of Focus sales.” The Detroit Free Press says “about 14% of Focus buyers purchased a wagon version” when it was first introduced, adding, “But that percentage dwindled to about 4% by 2007 when Ford stopped producing it.”

Jalopnik comments, “So America likes a big, bulky hatchback, but they hate the elongated and sleek wagon. Whatever. We’re apparently an idiotic country when it comes to car-buying preferences and proud of it. Fine.”

Along with a choice of traditional four-cylinder and diesel engines, European Focus models also get an optional 1.6-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder. “The 1.6-liter EcoBoost mill is expected to be added to the U.S. lineup at some point, likely as an upscale option with greater efficiency and power than the 2.0-liter,” says Car and Driver.

More exciting than the engine itself, however, is the possibility that it will slot into a high-performance Focus model to be sold in both the U.S. and Europe. “But don’t expect the wagon to be part of that plan,” Car and Driver adds.

According to AutoWeek, “[Ford Produce Development Chief] Kuzak didn’t offer up many other details, but did say the go-fast Focus would use an EcoBoost version of Ford’s four-cylinder engine.”

If you’re in the market for a new car, check out the U.S. News rankings of this year’s best cars as well as this month’s best car deals.