[SixFoFalcon]

The thing is, the numbers from '05 and '06 versus the numbers from '08 and '09 are apples and oranges. You have to look at them in context--otherwise SUVs and trucks would still be the hot ticket.

I understand the move to drop the hatchback might have seemed financially sound to some people at the time ('08 model year mandated a remodel of the car, and the cost of incorporating a hatch in the lineup would have been a losing proposition looking solely at the sales figures from '05 or '06, which is when the decision was made). The sad reality is that historical sales figures have little significance with today's changing market. It stinks that '08 and '09 will see HUGE surges of hatchback sales in the US (the numbers are already there) and I think Ford is going to be showing up late to the party w/ the Fiesta in 16 months or so.

Someone at Ford should have seen this coming. The sagging economy and surging fuel prices didn't happen out of the blue--just about every economist has seen the writing on the wall for years now. I guess they (Ford stakeholders) are happy to see hatchback sales gains in Mazda3s and the new compact Volvos, but with consumer budget being as much of a factor as ever, the 'bang for your buck' of the Focus weighs in very heavily in the compact market. Even though people had no problem paying $20k-30k a couple years ago for their new car purchases, they aren't just looking for better mpgs now--a lot of us want a lower car payment as well. Heck I gave up a LOT of power and creature comforts when I went from my loaded-to-the-max SHO to my Focus, but at the end of the day, I'm happy about it. The Focus better suits my current needs, but a sedan or coupe just wouldn't cut it for me. If I was buying an '08 or '09, the lack of a hatchback means the Focus isn't even in the running. I'd be looking at Versas and Rabbits, most likely.

I guess what I'm saying is that the new Focus is a great car and Ford will sell lots of them, but they are missing a significant piece of the pie by only offering the sedan and coupe.