For the third generation, Ford reunited both international and North American models by releasing the international Mk3 worldwide. The previous North American version was discontinued, and the new model was launched simultaneously in North America and Europe in early 2011, both having started production late in 2010.[7][8]

In designing the Ford Focus, a group of young designers used what's called the Third Age Suit in order to simulate the physical limitations of an elderly person. The suit, which restricts the wearer's movements, allowed for insights that were implemented into the car's design.[9]

Ford unveiled the Ford Focus at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. The car shown was a five-door hatchback model, also debuting a new 2.0-litre direct injection inline-four engine. A five-door station wagon was also made available at launch.[10] The new generation launched simultaneously in North America and Europe in early 2011, with production having started in late 2010.[8] Production in Asia, Africa, Australia[11] and South America was scheduled to follow later but the plan for Australian production was later dropped and that market and New Zealand were supplied, along with Asia, from a new factory in Thailand where output began in June 2012. This new generation of Focus incorporates a redesigned cabin with new materials and new entertainment technologies. A 2015 model for the Ford Focus has been exhibited on the Ford website. Its chassis design is much like the 2013 model, but the front has been facelifted with elongated and darkened headlamps, and a grille that is designed to look like the Fusion, or C-max.

Ford debuted the all-electric Ford Focus Electric at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2011 to compete with the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt. Deliveries for fleet customers in the United States began in December 2011,[12] and the release to retail customers took place by late May 2012. The electric car is available only in California, New York, and New Jersey, in limited numbers.[13][14] The European release was scheduled for late 2012.[15]

In summer 2012 Ford launched the Focus ST which had 252 bhp (188 kW) from a 2.0-litre turbocharged EcoBoost engine.

In August 2014, Ford announced it was recalling Focus ST hatchbacks sold in the United States, Canada, and Mexico due to a wiring problem.[16] Additionally, Ford also asked for dealers to stop test-driving and selling select Focus and C-Max vehicles in late August. There was a potential issue found related to the steering assemblies.[17] It was apparent for the manufacturer, that from 8 August through the 15, less than 50 of the vehicles may not have had enough ball bearings in the assembly, causing concern for accidents.[citation needed]

At the end of March 2014, the most common car in Great Britain was the Ford Focus (1.5 million).[18]

Ford previewed the third generation facelifted model at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.[19] The updated version features a new redesigned front end design, incorporating Ford's new family grille and slimline headlights. The sporty ST and an RS model (now sold globally)—which features an upgraded version of the 2.3-litre engine from the Ford Mustang—will continue Ford's performance range. The RS now has all-wheel drive. The new 2016 model year update Focus range will be offered with Ford's multi award-winning EcoBoost technology, with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant available in 110 and 132 kW (148 and 177 hp) outputs in place of the current older 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre offerings. A revised 2.0-litre turbo-diesel TDCi engine, with an output of 110 kW (150 hp), will also be offered.[citation needed] One of the most anticipated features is the 2016 Ford Focus RS's "Drift" Button, which will be the first in the Focus line.[20]

Multiple lawsuits have been filed against Ford on behalf of Focus and Fiesta owners with dual-clutch transmissions alleging defective transmissions.[21] According to court documents, Ford issued multiple technical service bulletins but the problems were never fully resolved.[22]

Motorsport[edit]
Rallying[edit]

Jari-Matti Latvala with his Ford Focus RS WRC 09 at the 2009 Rally Finland
The first Focus World Rally Car made its debut in rallying and the World Rally Championship on the 1999 Monte Carlo Rally with Colin McRae and Simon Jean-Joseph at the wheels of the two cars, replacing, for the first time in a generation, the venerable Escort. It was immediately on the pace, setting many fastest stage times, but a vehicle weight issue meant that the two cars were excluded from that event. McRae went on to give the Focus WRC its maiden victory on the Safari Rally in February of the same year, and took victory again in the following rally, the Rally Portugal.

The MkI Focus WRC went on to achieve further victories over the years for McRae, Carlos Sainz, and Markko Märtin from then until it was phased out in favour of the MkII offering in late 2005.[23] This car, a winner in both Marcus Grönholm's and Mikko Hirvonen's hands in the two-car factory BP-Ford World Rally Team that contested the 2006 World Rally Championship season, duly racked up the manufacturers' title,[24] spelling the end of a formidable twenty-seven-year wait for such an honour in this series for the Blue Oval. The team successfully defended the manufacturers' title in the 2007 season.[25] The Focus WRC was used until the 2010 season, when it was announced that the new Fiesta will replace the Focus from 2011 and onwards.[26]

All the rally cars are built, prepared, and run for Ford by M-Sport, the motorsport team based in Cockermouth, Cumbria in Northern England. The team is managed by Malcolm Wilson, a well known former British rally driver.[27]

Touring cars[edit]
Besides rallies, the Focus has also been used in the SCCA Speed World Challenge Touring Car Series, the TC 2000, resulting champion in 2003, 2005, 2010, and 2012.

A Focus was entered into the 2006 Swedish Touring Car Championship season.

The Ford Focus ST made its debut in the 2009 British Touring Car Championship season, with Arena Motorsport. During its second season, the car ran on liquefied petroleum gas, taking the first BTCC win for a car powered by this fuel at Brands Hatch. In 2011, Arena (also known as Team AON) shifted to the newer Focus Mk3, while Motorbase Performance drove the ST version. Both cars had engines, built by the Next Generation Touring Car engine rules. Motorbase continues to compete with the Ford Focus ST.

Arena Motorsport entered two Ford Focus Mk3s in the 2012 World Touring Car Championship season for Tom Chilton and James Nash. The best result is 6th place by Nash in the Race of Morocco.

In 2008 Ford South Africa entered two modified Focus ST models into Class T (reserved for turbocharged production vehicles) of the local Bridgestone Production Car Championship (essentially a Touring Car formula). They secured the Class T driver's titles in 2009 and 2011.

The car had success in the 2013 China Touring Car Championship,[28] and won its class in the 2014 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour. The Focus that raced in the 2014 Bathurst 12 Hour was powered by a 5.0 L Ford Coyote V8 engine.