The Ford Focus has exited production after 27 years, as the American brand continues to reshape and electrify its European lineup and adjust its manufacturing footprint.

As reported by Autocar, the iconic nameplate’s end was publicised by Ford employees on social media and by German broadcaster Saarländischer Rundfunk as the final example rolled off the production line.

The death of the Focus – which had primarily been built at Ford’s plant at Saarlouis, Germany since the fourth and final generation model entered production in 2018 – was confirmed in 2022, when Ford announced a shift to lean on its American heritage and focus on higher-margin SUV offerings in Europe.

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Three years later, production for the Focus has ended, meaning the Saarlouis plant no longer produces any cars. That leaves the plant’s future up in the air, with Ford shifting next-generation vehicle production to Valencia, Spain, and no buyer having been locked in.

Ford’s European SUV shift has already been put in motion. The popular Fiesta was discontinued in 2023, forcing buyers to step up to a pricier Puma (or defect to another brand).

The popular Kuga, sold here less successfully as the Escape, was joined by the electric Explorer and its controversial Capri sibling in 2024. Both of these are built in Cologne, Germany and are based on Volkswagen’s MEB dedicated electric vehicle (EV) platform, but neither have proved to be strong sellers.

Ford also sells the larger Mustang Mach-E in Europe, and it’s reportedly planning a new mid-size SUV that will fill the gap left by the Focus.