The Ford Focus (first generation) is a compact car which was manufactured by Ford in Europe from 1998 to 2004 and by Ford in North America from 1999 to 2007. Ford began sales of the Focus to Europe in July 1998 and in North America during 1999 for the 2000 model year.
In Europe and South Africa, the Focus replaced the various Ford Escort models sold in those markets. In Asia and Australasia, it replaced the Ford Laser.
The Mark 1 was also previously produced in factories in Saarlouis, Germany; General Pacheco, Argentina; Valencia, Spain; Santa Rosa, Philippines; Chungli City, Taiwan and Vsevolozhsk, Russia; Valencia, Venezuela.
The Mark 1 Focus remained in production until 2008 in General Pacheco, Argentina for the South American Market. The last of the Mark 1 Focus produced in Argentina (2008 Version) featured either a 1.6 L Zetec Rocam Flex Fuel Engine or 2.0 L Duratec HE Engine or the 1.8 L Duratorq Diesel Engine. Assembly of Mark 2 Focus started in 2008 for the 2009 model.
However, in Brazil, Ford do Brasil offered this until 2009, in 1.6 (Flex Fuel - 105cv gasoline/112cv ethanol) GL or GLX hatchback or saloon version.
In Europe, gasoline engines available were the well-proven 1.8 L and 2.0 L Zetec-R units from the Ford Mondeo and 1.4 L and 1.6 L versions of the Zetec-S/SE units Also found in the Ford Fiesta and Ford Puma. The ST170 and RS performance models used modified versions of the 2.0 L Zetec-R. Originally, the only diesel engine available was the Endura TDDI (a development of the old Deutz-designed motor which Ford had been using since the 1980s). This was replaced in 2002 by the Duratorq TDCI.
