Ford Plans for Asia.....No Mention of Australia!!!!

[EgoFG]

Have been working in China for two weeks recently, spending some time in a colleague's Focus.

He purchased because the steel is thicker than the competition (including GM locally produced cars).

I would rate the "solidness" as better than the last Focus I sat in here.

[Nikked]

The steel is thicker, where? Chassis rails, body panels, body pillars?

Most panel steel is .6 or .8 thick, actually...most steel used throughout most cars is the same. You might see thicker steel in places like specific places on the A/B/C pillars.

Thickness has little to do with strength theses days...

[EgoFG]

the context implied body panels - we were talking about the bump and grind of driving in China.

He is a well educated professional, with a passion for cars - I assume he knows about as much about manufacturing as me.

My comment was more to give the reputation of Chinese manufactured Fords, and my concurrence.
I would not mind getting that Focus instead of the ones we get here - it seemed better built.