They have tried many times, but the US Ford product planners always managed to get their hooks into the cars and make them worse by the time they went on the market in the US. The last cars that they didn't modify may have been the Consul and Cortina. After that came the Capri, Mondeo, Focus, and many in between, all 'fixed' with softer suspensions, etc. for the perceived tastes of the US consumer.

Our UK Focus was a very different vehicle than what was sold in North America. The Mondeo was another example. I have rented a lot of Focus (Foci?) vehicles in the UK, and they are not at all bad for a runabout. Rented a C-Max as shown in the photos several times, in Italy and the UK, and it was very practical for 4 adults and a pile of luggage. Essentially a tall Focus touring wagon. Always thought that the Transit Compact would do well in North America as a commercial vehicle.

Wonder if Ford will actually pull off their 20 or 30 year old 'World Car' plan this time.

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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue