2011 Ford Focus

I really don't think making the front bear striking resemblance to smaller, cheaper, lower-end Fiesta is a good thing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ford_Fista_(2008)_MK7_Trend_5-Türer_front.JPG

If the design language is very successful, the why not copy from a low cost vehicle? Top down design is cool, but the Fiesta's design language is sophisticated enough plus the Euro spec Fiesta is seen as a more upscale vehicle than the model we will receive.

Because it goes against some basic rules human psychology works according to. If you pay MORE for something, you don't want it to look like something you pay LESS for. Sometimes a car maker can conceal the technology recycling by styling the cars differently and since most buyers are not interested in technicalities, it works. But each and every buyer has eyes. It will simply plant preliminary mistrust in them that they're somehow tricked, a feeling that will certainly make selling large volumes of the Focus, Ford's bestseller, more difficult. They were smarter in the past. When sharing "new edge design" among the palette, every car was clearly distinguishable. Ford already burnt their hand more than once, by offering Jaguar X-Type, "the luxurious Mondeo" and not only the press ridiculed them for such approach. Then I read many forum discussions about the current Volvo S80 which is also considered a bit inflated and much more pricey Mondeo. Notice that, VW Polo, for instance, can't be confused with larger Golf. And why do you think Lexus is so bashed all on the Internet? Because they were goofy enough not to change ES, GX and LX styling and even girls who mostly don't care about automotive details at all, immediately recognize Toyota-badged cars there.

Exactly, Kaner.

Must be a shortage of design engineers at Ford because that looks like the older, beefier, football player brother to the new Fiesta.

Heellloooo Civic killer.

Finally Ford has a decent looking vehicle.

Looks pretty good, but very civic-y