Sales of the Ford Focus this month are expected to double compared to last year as more owners worried about fuel economy flock to the compact high-MPG vehicle.
The Focus has been a big hit for Ford in recent years, especially as gas prices rise. Previously, the high point for Focus sales in February was 2001, when the compact car reached 20,000 units. However, that was in a year when more than 17 million vehicles were sold. This year, the Focus is expected to surpass that mark and then some.
In February 2011, the automaker sold 10,879 vehicles. However, the newly redesigned Focus appears set to at least double that figure when February's sales numbers are reported.
"Fuel prices have been on the rise again, with customers once again moving to smaller vehicles," said Erich Merkle, Ford sales analyst reporting manager. "We have a 40-mpg, fun-to-drive, well-equipped compact with more power than our competitors. The word is getting out on how efficient the new Focus really is."
Fuel costs can add up quickly, but car repairs can also be a major strain on vehicle owners. One way to avoid big repair bills is investing in auto maintenance, which can help catch issues before they become a major problem.