Ford: Delayed 2016 Focus RS Orders 'Will Be Built Beginning This October'

We reported in July that Ford canceled a total of 220 Focus RS orders for model year 2016 and moved them to the 2017 model year. These orders were set to start cranking out of the Saarlouis factory as manufacturing resumed on August 15, with priority going to those orders first, but many customers are reporting no updates and no car in sight.

According to emails obtained by TTAC, one such customer is approaching the one year mark since placing his order on October 23, 2015, which was reportedly one of the first 400 placed as the customer received a special diecast Focus RS to commemorate the purchase.

But where’s the car?

Ford informed dealers that these 220 examples would be moved to the 2017 model year. According to the emailed report, Ford told the dealer to cancel the 2016 order and place a new order for our tipster. Our tipster is rightfully frustrated and has been in constant contact with Ford and his dealer. The situation looked promising based on initial updates, but the talks devolved when the Ford representative told the customer that he would need to go through his local dealer for further information.

According to Ford representative Dan Jones, prioritized Focus RS orders are just being built now.

“These orders will be built beginning this October and prioritized to minimize shipping delays. There will be no change in price for these customers.”

Jones pointed to plant maintenance and demand as the culprits in this case.

We also asked if there was a specific combination of options that fell into delayed category and when they expected the last of these to delivered, but Jones declined to answer.

The good news: Ford will honor 2016 pricing. Still, that’s little consolation for future owners like our tipster, who will likely have waited more than one year for his car.