FORD UNVEILS 2005 FOCUS AT WAYNE ASSEMBLY, 2003-12-04 (photo)

Workers from the Ford Motor Co. Wayne Assembly plant take a closer look at 2005 Ford Focus, December 4, 2003 after it was unveiled in Wayne, Michigan. Ford said it would spend $240 million to consolidate North American production of its Ford Focus car in Michigan, transferring work from a Mexican plant. The $240 million will be spent over the next four years, as Ford adds on to its Wayne, Michigan, plant that already builds Focus sedans and wagons in order to build the Focus hatchbacks currently assembled in Hermosillo. After a rough launch in 1999, Ford has recently begun touting the compact Focus again, saying its quality problems have been fixed, as evidenced by Consumer Reports giving the Focus a "recommended" rating this year. While Ford will roll out an all-new Focus in Europe next year, a tweaked version of the current North American model, with updated front and rear designs, a new interior and more powerful engines, will go on sale early next year. REUTERS/John C. Hillery