Titanium with a manual? YES!

[Indecision]

It's about damn time. I'm still debating an ST though.

I don't know I would love to have a 6th gear on the Hwy, to boost MPGs.

It all depends on the six speed, my SVT revs higher on the freeway then either my 2000 or 2004 ZX3s did.

My 2004 was a 2.3 PZEV MTX and that thing just about idled down the freeway.



.

Agreed, even if it's not actually higher, most close ratio transmissions will give a 6th gear that comparable to most 5 speeds. It's not like an F-body or a Mustang where 6th gear is .50:1 for no other reason than to improve mileage. A Focus, to include the ST would not have the torque to make something like that usable.

[GapBoyPCS]

I would blame the slow movers on uninformed customers. I lived in Canada for over 40 years and I had to order every car I purchased because I wanted
a manual transmission. Not once was there a manual tranny equipped car on the lot. And I lived in the Golden Horseshoe area. Which is the most populated
territory of Canada.
After 40 years of never seeing a manual transmission equipped car on the lots, it became ingrained in my mind that this is what it is, and knew prior to each new
car purchase that I would need to pre-plan months in advance to receive my ordered car when I needed it.
I would say it is safe to assume the majority of new car buyers will not wait for a factory ordered vehicle, they want what is on the lot at that moment of decision.
Also if no manuals are in the dealers stock, it is impossible to even test drive to see if the manual transmission meets your expectations.

You're also forgetting one factor in the Golden Horseshoe area: Extreme dealer competition within a very small area. Some dealers aren't willing to trade with another dealership forcing the customer to either settle, order (made more difficult with incentives to get an existing car off the lot), or the customer has to drive to the dealer that has the product. Some might do a dealer trade, but it's a severe cost to the dealer (they either have to pay more OR give up something else that could be more profitable for less money). It's really cut-throat here in the Greater Toronto Area.

Like others have said, this is basically the time for people to put their money where their mouths are. If people won't buy a manual Titanium, then I can see Ford and other manufacturers saying "I told you so!"

[eff]

Sorry if I come across as bitching. My comments are not to take away this very good decision on Ford North Americas part to add the manual tranny to the Titanium list of features.
My point is if there are none around, the results or take rate percentages will remain, hence the lack of manual trannies offered in North American spec cars.
It is now up to the dealers to decide if they want to sell this combination or not.

I hope Ford takes the opportunity to advertise (in a big way) this great combination manual + Handling Package on a car that is getting very good write ups regarding being a "drivers car" with features not found in this segment.
Hopefully the dealerships who decide to order Titaniums with a manual tranny have enough sense to spec them with the Handling Package.

I am sure Car & Driver will make lots of positive noise when they test this combo, and hopefully some of the other car rags will have some positive things to say.

Living in Europe this is not my issue, I just hope for the sake of saving manual transmission equipped fun to drive cars like the Focus in North America, Ford makes lots of noise about this addition to the Focus Titanium, and the dealerships see the benefits of having a couple manual tranny with Handling Package equipped Titaniums in their inventory.
In other words try to help the cause or stack the deck to at least give the combo a chance to succeed.

[spots25]

Trouble is, a lot of people who can drive stick don't really care about transmission choice, so the dealership can sell them a $1000+ automatic option. Personally, that is not so. I had to buy a Jeep for work (nice, fully loaded) and I like my Focus (beater) much more, and most of that is because the focus has a manual. I don't know if I would buy a Ti anyway, but now I'm crossing my fingers for a Ti Wagon... mmmmmm...

[Robsteeler66]

But will dealerships stock any Titanium's with manual trannies?????? Not a chance in hell.
The C/D article states Ford said take rate for Foci equipped with manual is only 7%. I would prefer to see this percentage compared to
dealer stocked manual Foci, not just the sales % by itself.

If you do not stock the product , you won't sell it.

Very good news for North American wanting top trim with manual, but sad they will not be able to find any on the lots.

Well when I bought my Focus in '03 it was the top trim (premium) and it has a manual. Granted, it took me a long time to find one with the five speed and that trim level but I was ultimately successful. It just takes a little looking and calling...

[bluebyutoo]

Trouble is, a lot of people who can drive stick don't really care about transmission choice, so the dealership can sell them a $1000+ automatic option. Personally, that is not so. I had to buy a Jeep for work (nice, fully loaded) and I like my Focus (beater) much more, and most of that is because the focus has a manual. I don't know if I would buy a Ti anyway, but now I'm crossing my fingers for a Ti Wagon... mmmmmm...

Ti wagon with a stick, now you are talking

[-Rudel-]

...availability to the Titanium was guided by a combination of factors both within and outside of Ford, but the company is still taking a bit of a jump here. That’s because apparently enough customers have expressed interest in a top-spec manual Focus to make it happen...

Still waitin' on that RS.

[GrndZero]

Question I have is if they are going to put the manual in the Titanium are they going to make the sync screen smaller for the interior option? I thought I heard something about that before the new models came out.

[ehancock]

I see crap like this on a daily basis haha. I'll just leave these here.







*stirs pot*

[bigdaddyG8]

WANT WANT WANT WANT

I want that!

[focusownerskid]

Ive worked on a wagon like that....

...only the wagon I worked on had a turbo Ecoboost and a 6spd in it.



- Drew

[GapBoyPCS]

Question I have is if they are going to put the manual in the Titanium are they going to make the sync screen smaller for the interior option? I thought I heard something about that before the new models came out.

Why would they? All the manual SEL's I've seen with MyFord Touch have been the same size.

[Binky]

I see crap like this on a daily basis haha.
*stirs pot*

Crap? That's like, as Frank Barone would say, "Holy Crap!"

If we're getting the wagon, I guess the model of my next new (and first ever "family") car has just changed - make mine an SE Sport or Titanium with stick, Ford - thanks! (Or, if you want to be REALLY nice, an ST.)

[Mike-SVT]

just went to the new car auto show and the number of cars with manual shift was miniscule..

Face facts, most people these days think having to manually shift a car is just sooooooo last millenium...

[GrndZero]

Why would they? All the manual SEL's I've seen with MyFord Touch have been the same size.

The only reason I asked is because when all the options were being figured out a couple months ago, people were stating that the manuals were not going to get the same screen size as the autos. If that option went to the wayside, then just forget I mentioned it.

[GapBoyPCS]

The only reason I asked is because when all the options were being figured out a couple months ago, people were stating that the manuals were not going to get the same screen size as the autos. If that option went to the wayside, then just forget I mentioned it.

The early source guide and leaked build guides may have just been unclear about the LCD screen size. When I made my order, there was nothing I recall in the order guide or system saying the LCD screen would be larger by going automatic.

Here's what my dealer had last year. This was an SEL with MyFord Touch.

[GrndZero]

Good to know, Thanks for the input.

[biker16]

rd Focus Sees Strong Demand in West, Adds Stick-Shift Choice for Range-Topping Titanium Series

Ford Focus is selling at the fastest January pace since 2004, seeing the strongest demand in the trend-shaping state of California

Delivering up to 40-mpg highway and an unexpected selection of customer convenience and technology choices, Focus is bringing new customers to the Ford showroom

Answering customer demand, the luxuriously appointed Focus Titanium model is now available with a manual transmission choice for driving enthusiasts

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 3, 2012 – Customer demand for the 2012 Ford Focus is on the rise, most notably in the high-volume California market.

“Focus is making new friends for the Blue Oval out west,” said Paul Russell, Ford Focus Marketing Manager. “Ford dealers are seeing more small car activity, and that tells us Focus is getting on to more shopping lists.”

Focus was completely redesigned for 2012, bringing up to an 11 percent increase in highway fuel efficiency and being offered in expressive new five-door hatchback and sleek four-door sedan body styles. In addition, Focus brings unexpected convenience and luxury features such as active park assist and leather-faced seating with contrast-colored piping.

“Focus relevance to California customers is on the rise,” said Mark Wexler, Ford Northern California Regional Manager. “The contemporary styling, fuel efficiency and technology offerings are getting lots of customer attention. High-end Titanium models are selling at twice the rate we anticipated, showing that our customers want convenience and technology in their fuel-efficient Focus purchase.”

Focus is drawing new customers to the Ford showroom. Matt Wood, Dealer Principal at Elk Grove Ford in Sacramento, Calif., said this trend accelerated last month.

“Almost 40 percent of our January Focus trade-ins were import brands. Focus also is bringing in customers that have been out of the market for some time. These buyers are brand new to us,” said Wood.

A key objective for the 2012 Focus was to offer customers more choices by extending the models offered in the marketplace. Previously announced models include the highly anticipated Focus Electric and the high-performance 250 hp ST model. Additionally, in response to customer demand, Ford will now offer a five-speed manual transmission in the range-topping Titanium Focus models. Buyers migrating from higher-price import brands frequently prefer manual transmissions, especially automotive enthusiasts. Now those buyers can have a manual and their creature comforts.

# # #

[MattHarrell]

^^good post. That's what I like to read about the new Focus.

[focuspl99]

anyone know when the manuals will finally be available? or at least available to order?