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Moscow Motor Show debut for new-look Ford Mondeo COLOGNE, Germany, June 25, 2010 – Ford of Europe will debut its stylish and technologically advanced new Mondeo at the 2010 Moscow International Automobile Salon (MIAS) on August 25. The new model will go on sale later this year and features a restyled exterior and uprated interior, new high-efficiency Ford EcoBoost petrol and TDCi diesel powertrains plus a host of new driver comfort and convenience features and safety technologies.
The first official preview images issued today show that, following similar updates to the Ford S-MAX and Galaxy models earlier this year, the new Mondeo is the latest Ford car to benefit from the continuing evolution of Ford kinetic design.
While the Mondeo is renowned as being stylish and versatile, offering high levels of driving enjoyment and comfort to its occupants, the new model is set to build on this reputation with its fresh new look for all three body styles – 4-door, 5-door and wagon.
"The Ford Mondeo is already a very strong package and, with the significant design changes and in particular the comprehensive array of new technologies we are introducing, we have no doubt that the new model will strengthen Mondeo's position as the flagship Ford model in our European line-up," said John Fleming, Ford of Europe Chairman and CEO. "This is the smartest, safest, most environmentally friendly and best quality Mondeo we have ever launched, and it completes the regeneration of our CD segment range in 2010."
Smart Design, Enhanced Quality Key changes include distinctive new grilles featuring a bolder lower trapezoid and a slim, stylish opening above, plus an enhanced bonnet profile. New front bumpers include LED daytime running lights, and re-designed rear lights also employ LED technology. Additionally a new rear deck lid treatment matches the revised rear light profile.
The interior is also revised and features a new flow-through centre console design, revised door treatment featuring flush and integrated door release handles, and a new central overhead console featuring ambient lighting. New trim materials across the range have been selected carefully to enhance the premium interior feel of the new Mondeo.
New Mondeo's interior also benefits from a range of new features, including the introduction of LED interior lights and a new Satellite Navigation system, while music lovers will be able to enjoy the new Premium Sound System option which incorporates a 265-watt, eight-channel amplifier unit, all-new speaker system and large, 17-litre subwoofer.
Higher Performance, More Technology The launch of the new Mondeo will see the first application of a higher performance 240 PS version of the efficient 2.0-litre Ford EcoBoost turbocharged petrol engine. This will be complemented by the existing 203 PS version of this engine launched in Mondeo, new S-MAX and new Galaxy earlier this year.
While the new 240 PS engine provides extra performance, average CO2 emissions are targeted to be just 179 g/km, the same as the 203 PS unit, regardless of bodystyle. Ford EcoBoost technology also provides fuel consumption and emissions reductions of up to 20 per cent compared to traditional petrol engines of a similar capacity.
Another first for the new Mondeo is the introduction of the comprehensively revised 2.2-litre Ford Duratorq TDCi engine, which boasts a 12 per cent power increase to 200 PS, making it the most powerful Duratorq diesel engine to date. The Mondeo TDCi line-up sees this new engine joined by a significantly improved 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel that has already been introduced to the Mondeo range earlier this year. This engine is available with 115, 140 or 163 PS power ratings, with all of them delivering an average CO2 emission of just 139 g/km with a 6-speed manual transmission, regardless of bodystyles.
To make the powertrain offering for the new Mondeo even more efficient, a number of new Ford ECOnetic Technologies are now made available, including Smart Regenerative Charging, Ford Eco Mode and – a Ford first – an Active Grille Shutter system. This electronically controlled device regulates the airflow through the radiator and engine compartment to reduce aerodynamic drag, but also offers benefits to the engine heating characteristics to improve the fuel economy and warm-up performance in cold climates.
Powertrain advances in the new Mondeo also extend to the transmission; the latest six-speed Ford PowerShift double wet-clutch transmission system comes as standard for Ford EcoBoost petrol engines, and will be available as an option for the 140 PS and 163 PS versions of the 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi.
The new Mondeo range will include a comprehensive array of driver assistance features, many of which are appearing for the first time in a Ford model, including Lane Departure Warning, Driver Alert and Auto High Beam. New features already introduced in the latest S-MAX and Galaxy models are now extended to the Mondeo range, including the Blind Spot Information System, Speed Limiter, Rear Door Power Child Locks and Rear View Camera. LED lighting technology is also used for the daytime running lights and rear tail and brake lamps.
The new Mondeo range will start to go on sale across Europe from September 2010. Further information and technical details of the new Mondeo range will be released closer to launch and its debut at the Moscow International Automobile Salon (MIAS) on August 25.
Note: This data information in this press release reflects preliminary specifications and was correct at the time of going to print. However, Ford policy is one of continuous product development. The right is reserved to change these details at any time.
Ford Fiesta is still best says Diesel Car BRENTWOOD, 17 May, 2010 – The Ford Fiesta has been selected Diesel Car magazine's Best Small Car of the Year 2010. The award comes just as Fiesta has been upgraded to consolidate its number one sales spot in Britain.
Ian Robertson, editor of Diesel Car magazine said: "The Fiesta is great to drive with terrific handling, precise steering and a supple well-judged ride. The blend of good looks, frugal diesel engine and funky interior design makes it a real winner in our eyes."
Mark Simpson, marketing director, Ford of Britain said: "This latest Fiesta is becoming another Ford icon. The British public love the Fiesta's style but, as Diesel Car state, once they get behind the wheel, they love that experience too."
Ford announced last month that Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) was standard across the Fiesta range. Bluetooth and USB connection are standard in Titanium models, there is more power for the stage V diesel engines and CO2 emissions are reduced.
The Ford Fiesta continues to lead the UK sales charts with 43,611 sales so far in 2010.
Ford sales in Europe still up year-to-date despite industry weakening COLOGNE, May 14, 2010 – As a result of the ending of many scrappage schemes in Europe, total industry sales in April in Ford's traditional 19 markets fell by 5.3 per cent – the first monthly decline in the industry this year when compared to 2009.
After ten months of consecutive year-over-year monthly volume gains, Ford registrations in the main 19 markets were 101,100, some 21,000 lower than April 2009. Market share was 7.8 per cent, 1.1 percentage points below the April 2009 level.
"In April, we took a conscious decision not to follow the market, knowing that the expected decline in industry volumes after the ending of many of the scrappage schemes would likely prompt some players to increase even further their aggressive marketing incentives," said Ingvar Sviggum, Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe.
"That's exactly what happened, and while we will remain competitive in the market, we will not devalue our brand or hurt our residual values just to chase volume or share. We therefore knew our market share would drop for the month, but we were coming off a very strong March and first quarter performance and we expect our share to recover as the market stabilizes in the second half of the year.
"At Ford, our strategy is product-led – not discount-led. Our first quarter results – where we turned a close to $600 million loss last year to a profit of $107 million this year – shows our plan is the right one and is delivering positive results. Our priority is to continue to drive for profitability, and we believe we have the right products in the market to succeed."
Ford was the best-selling brand for April and in the first four months of 2010 in the UK and Hungary, and was also year-to-date market leader in Denmark, Ireland and Turkey.
Fiesta continues to be the top-performing vehicle for Ford of Europe with 172,600 units sold during the first four months of 2010. Close to 800,000 Fiestas have been purchased by customers around the world since the latest generation model was launched in October 2008, more than 700,000 of which in Europe. Production of the Fiesta also recently started in Mexico in preparation for the North American launch of the car.
Ford April YTD vehicle sales in the Euro 19 markets In the first four months of 2010, Ford registered 492,500 vehicles in its 19 European markets, 12,100 units or 2.5 per cent more than in 2009.
Market share in the main 19 European markets was 9.0 per cent, down by 0.3 percentage points when compared with the same period in 2009. Ford was the No.2 best-selling passenger car brand in Europe for the first four months of the year. April YTD Ford share rose in five of the company's main 19 European markets.
Ford April and April YTD vehicle sales in all of its Euro 51 markets Ford of Europe sold 121,100 new vehicles in April, a reduction of 13.7 per cent on the same month 2009, and 553,400 vehicles YTD across its 51 markets. Compared to the first four months of 2009, sales were 0.2 per cent higher.
April Highlights
Ford Market Performance:
- Market leader in the UK and Hungary.
- Increased share in four of Ford's main 19 European markets.
- Spain's April volume was up by 50 per cent versus the same month last year or 2,800 units to 8,500 – the highest increase in new car registrations in all of Ford's European markets. Ford's market share there rose by 0.6 ppts to 8.1 per cent.
- Ford was also No.1 imported brand in Italy, where share was at 8.6 per cent, 1.4 ppts lower on April 2009.
- In Switzerland, Ford's April registrations of 1,700 were 32 per cent over 2009, resulting in the highest April volume there since 1999. Share was at 6.1 per cent, up by 1.4 ppts, the best April share since 1997.
- Highest share gains were delivered in Denmark (up 2.4 ppts; market share at 10.1 per cent, the highest share since April 2001), Switzerland (up 1.4 ppts; share at 6.1 per cent; the best April share since 1997) and Spain (up 0.6 ppts, at 8.1 per cent).
Model Performance:
- Fiesta (32,100), Focus (21,400), and Transit (9,100) were Ford of Europe's three top-selling vehicles (19 main European markets).
- Fiesta sales were at 32,100, making the Fiesta Europe's No.2 best-selling car overall in April, an achievement which external sources are expected to confirm later this month.
- Fiesta and Focus occupy the No.1 and No.3 position respectively in the UK. Fiesta was also the best-selling foreign vehicle for the month in Italy.
- Only 18 months after its debut, 790,000 customers have purchased the new Fiesta around the world, with more than 700,000 cars being sold in Europe, as Ford continues to launch this global car in the U.S. and other Asian Pacific markets in 2010.
- Ka continues its success: 7,900 units sold in April, down by 1,300, yet the best April for Ka since 2002.
- C-MAX and S-MAX were the best-selling foreign vehicles in their segment in France.
- Retail sales accounted for 71 per cent of new Kuga and Fusion, 69 per cent of Ka, and 63 per cent ofFiesta sales in April 2010.
April YTD Performance
- Ford No.2 best-selling passenger car brand in Europe.
- Ford sales in the main 19 European markets were up by 2.5 per cent, or 12,100 units, to 492,500.
- Market leader in the UK, Denmark, Hungary, Ireland and Turkey.
- Ford's share increased in five of its main 19 European markets.
- Britain's year-to-date sales volume increased by 6,400 to 132,600, up by 5 per cent on the first four months 2009.
- In France, registrations were at 51,500, up by 4,100 or 8.6 per cent on 2009 – the best April year-to-date volume since 1999.
- Italy's share in the first four months of 2010 was at 10.2 per cent, up by 0.3 ppts, the highest April year-to-date share since 1993.Year-to-date registrations there were at 93,000 - up by 13,500 units or 17 per cent higher on the first four months 2009, the best volume since year-to-date April 1998.
- Spain's share was at 8.9 per cent, up by 0.5 ppts, the highest share gain within Ford’s five largest markets.
- Leading import brand in the Czech Republic in the first four months of 2010.
- In the first four months of 2010, market-leading Denmark had a 10.7 per cent share, the highest year-to-date April share since 1998.
- Scandinavian markets continue to perform well in the first four months of 2010. Denmark had registrations of 5,100, up by 1,200 units, or an increase of 31.1 per cent on 2009.
- The highest share gains of all 19 markets in the first four months of 2010 were in Denmark (+1.2 ppts at 10.7 per cent share, the best April year-to-date share result since 1998), Spain (+0.5 ppts to 8.9 per cent, and Switzerland (+0.5 ppts to 5.9 per cent).
Model Performance:
- The three best-selling vehicles year-to-date 2010 were the new Fiesta (172,600), Focus (101,300) and Transit (40,400).
- In the first four months of 2010, new Fiesta sales were up 18,300 or 11.9 per cent on 2009, remaining the best-selling foreign vehicle in Italy.
- 39,600 new Ford Ka vehicles have been delivered to Ford customers this year, up 7,100 units or 21.8 per cent on first four months of 2009. Share and sales volume were the best since 2002.
- Ford segment-leading in the UK with Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo and Galaxy April year-to-date.
- C-MAX and S-MAX were the top-selling imported products in their segment in France.
- Kuga was leading the off-road segment in the first four months of 2010 in Spain.
- Fiesta remained No.1 best-selling car in the UK year-to-date, ahead of the Focus in No.2 position, while Transit was the best-selling commercial vehicle April year-to-date 2010.
Ford boosts 2010 market lead through April BRENTWOOD, Essex, 11 May, 2010 – Ford's best-ever product line-up has helped boost the blue oval brand's UK market lead for 2010 through to the end of April. Ford's UK car sales lead for the year to date, at 27,824 is 6,488 more than its lead for the same period in 2009.
Top performing vehicles during 2010 have included the Ford Ka, Ford Fiesta, Ford Fiesta Van, Ford Focus, Ford Kuga, Ford S-MAX and Ford Transit, all of which have recorded significant sales increases for the year through to the end of April, compared with the same period in 2009.
Ford Fiesta continues to lead the UK sales charts for the year to date with the Ford Focus in second place. Ford Fiesta was also the UK best seller in April.
The Ford range has been strengthened further by the introduction of the new Ford S-MAX and Galaxy; the Ford Mondeo, featuring new powertrains; and the powerful new limited-edition Ford Focus RS500. These product introductions will be followed by the new Ford C-MAX and Grand C-MAX later in the year, as well as a number of new engine and transmission introductions.
Nigel Sharp, Ford of Britain managing director, said: "Ford's continuing stream of new model introductions, incorporating our low CO2 technology, suits the current market conditions. We are working hard with our dealers to make customers aware of the outstanding value provided by these technically advanced and stylish vehicles."
New Ford Fusion owner bids farewell to scrapped car BRENTWOOD, Essex, 31 March, 2010 – One of Ford's last scrappage customers was so sentimentally attached to her old car that she followed "Ally" to her automotive grave after taking delivery of a new Ford Fusion.
Mum-of-three Leona Murray, a BBC Essex producer, bought her 10-reg Ford Fusion Titanium this month, parting company with her first car – the only other vehicle she has ever driven.
The S-reg Nissan, which had belonged to her mother-in-law from new, was a Christmas present from husband Lee six years ago. When the driver's window jammed shut last year, and Leona became locked out of "Ally" on her way back from holiday, she turned to Dagenham Motors in Barking.
Leona placed her order for a new Ford Fusion on the scrappage scheme, which provided a £2,000 incentive to replace any car 10 or more years old – along with a request to witness its predecessor's final demise.
BBC Essex colleague and breakfast show presenter, Ray Clark, joined Leona at the recycling company SITA UK to record "Ally" being crushed – a requirement for vehicles traded in under the Government scheme. First the car was drained of all fluids before its battery and tyres were removed. Then the car body was reduced to a transportable size for onward shipment from Chelmsford to another depot for further processing.
"I was handed a bag containing my old car's badges, window stickers and even the 'Ally' decal which gave rise to its name," said Leona, who lives in Basildon. "That produced a tear but, after that, the dismantling was so interesting to watch that I forgot to get upset."
Almost 45,000 new Fords were ordered with scrappage incentives – half of which were Ford Fiestas. Engines for the Fiesta and Fusion ranges are assembled in Britain, with diesel units produced in Dagenham and petrol engines from Bridgend.
Jon Wellsman, Ford Britain sales director, said: "Leona has become one of Ford's thousands of satisfied scrappage customers, who are all driving more reliable, safer and greener vehicles as a result. While the incentive scheme has expired, equally competitive Ford offers continue including the new Ford S-MAX range debuting in April, listed at over £2,000 less than the outgoing model."
Ford gears up for greener WRC programme COLOGNE, 25 March 2010 – Ford of Europe's FIA World Rally Championship programme has benefited from detailed research and test work to reduce its environmental impact, as part of the company's commitment to take a leading role within the motor industry in addressing sustainability issues.
Ford and rally partner M-Sport identified key areas on the record-breaking Focus RS World Rally Car in which the BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team could manage its environmental, economic and social impact. These range from engine parts and wheels to paintwork and fire extinguishers.
The team's strategy supports Ford's approach to environmental issues with its road vehicles, which isguided by its Product Sustainability Index (www.ford.com/go/sustainability). This scores the impact of vehicles in eight areas, including the key elements of:
- the use of sustainable materials (recycled and renewable materials) - substance management (including allergy-tested interiors) - life cycle global warming potential (mainly carbon dioxide emissions) - life cycle air quality potential (other air emissions)
Ford of Europe motorsport chief Gerard Quinn said 17 key areas of the Focus RS WRC were identified in which parts could be recycled, or in which increased efficiency and 'greener' materials helped to reduce the environmental impact. "We conducted a comprehensive environmental audit to identify ways in which we could better manage our impact. As a result the team undertook research and test work, with the help of our technical partners, and we're delighted with the wide range of areas in which we have been able to lessen our impact," said Quinn.
"Gearbox components, aluminium and steel engine parts, brake discs and wheel rims can all be recycled at the end of their competition lives while the use of water-based paints and inks on the car's paintwork and graphics reduces the use of hazardous materials.
"We have also worked closely with our partners, the FIA and rally organisers to reduce CO2 emissions. We analysed the team's CO2 impact during the past three seasons in key areas such as air travel, rally car fuel and shipping and set reduction targets for the following season. This is a continuing process," added Quinn.
A large graphic highlighting the 17 key areas will be a feature of the team's hospitality unit on all short-haul WRC rounds from the Jordan Rally (1 - 3 April) onwards.
Ford's environmental measures in the WRC received support from Jean Todt, President of motorsport's governing body, the FIA, which is heading an international campaign aimed at reducing the impact of motoring on the planet – Make Cars Green. "Make Cars Green aims to encourage a radical rethink in the way cars are considered in society by being at the forefront of encouraging considerate and ecologically sound mobility. That policy extends to motorsport. We recognise that motorsport has an important part to play in the development of new technologies both environmentally and in safety and we welcome Ford's efforts to positively address sustainability issues," he said.
Dynamic next-generation Ford Focus debuts DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2010 – The next-generation Ford Focus makes its worldwide debut providing customers with more affordable technologies and features than ever in this segment, as well as detailed craftsmanship, outstanding fuel economy and a new standard for driving quality.
Sleek, stylish and sporty, both the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles of the next-generation Focus are previewed prior to their production start for Europe and North America late in 2010 and market launch early in 2011.
The new Focus will be nearly identical in all markets, with 80 percent parts commonality around the world.
“The new Ford Focus is a clear demonstration that our ONE Ford strategy is providing global consumers with great products that harness the best of Ford Motor Company,” said Alan Mulally, Ford’s president and CEO.
“The efficiencies generated by our new global C-car platform will enable us to provide Ford Focus customers with an affordable product offering quality, fuel efficiency, safety and technology beyond their expectations,” he added.
Simultaneous launch in Europe and North America
Production of the next-generation Ford Focus will begin simultaneously in Europe and North America in late 2010, with individual market launches starting early in 2011. Launches in Asia, Africa and South America will follow. Initial production will be concentrated at the Saarlouis (Germany), Michigan (United States) and Chongqing (China) Assembly Plants.
The new Focus will be one of up to 10 unique models to be built from Ford’s new C-car platform, which is expected to generate total sales in all regions of 2 million units annually by 2012. The first of these will be the new Ford C-MAX and Ford Grand C-MAX – unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show – for launch in Europe in the second half of 2010.
“Global customers increasingly want smaller cars with outstanding fuel economy, but without sacrificing any of the style, technology, connectivity and driving quality they demand from larger vehicles,” explained Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development.
“Our next generation of C-cars – led by the exciting new Focus – will clearly show that Ford is ready to meet that challenge,” said Kuzak.
Engineered without compromise
The new Ford Focus has been developed by a global team, led from Ford’s European small and medium vehicle center of excellence in Merkenich, near Cologne, Germany, with powertrain development led by a similar team at Ford’s technical center in Dunton, England. The vehicle has been engineered without compromise to meet all customer and legislative requirements of the major worldwide markets.
In developing the vehicle for global markets, the product team in Europe was able to call on the experience acquired from recent programs like the much-acclaimed new Ford Fiesta, and was supported by the expertise of vehicle and powertrain technology specialists located in Ford’s engineering center in Dearborn, Mich.
Ford’s global development and sourcing strategy made it possible to provide a level of performance and feature content that is unrivaled for this vehicle segment and surprising even to drivers of larger, more premium vehicles.
Taking kinetic design to the next level
The no-compromise approach to the new Ford Focus is immediately evident from the striking exterior design of the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback models that take center stage at the 2010 NAIAS.
“The all-new Focus is at the center of convergence for automotive trends,” said J Mays, Ford group vice president of Design and chief creative officer. “We’ve designed it with an acute understanding of global customers, yet it’s tailored for each individual region. Focus combines the best from Europe, North America and Asia to deliver a level of emotional driving enjoyment never before experienced in a car this size.”
The two models share a sporty and dynamic character, marking the next evolution of Ford’s acclaimed kinetic design form language, which has contributed to the growing popularity of the company’s latest small and medium cars.
The kinetic design approach uses bold vehicle designs to capture the feeling of energy in motion, so that cars look like they are moving – even when they are standing still.
With its striking front end, sleek profile, dramatic rising beltline and athletic stance, the new Focus clearly telegraphs the rewarding driving experience that awaits customers when they take to the road.
This dynamic quality is reinforced by the distinctive design of the interior. The new Focus has an extremely modern, cockpit-style interior, with the stylish center console wrapped around the driver and providing outstanding access to the vehicle’s major controls and display panels.
A key element of the interior is the quality of craftsmanship. The cabin’s bold and contemporary graphics, the sculptured shape of the soft-touch instrument panel and the choice of superior trim materials all help to give occupants the feeling that they are traveling in a premium-class car.
Unmatched driving quality
When it was introduced in 1998, the original Ford Focus brought new levels of agility and responsiveness to the C-segment. The all-new Focus plans to raise the benchmark once more, targeting class-leading driving quality that blends outstanding steering precision and road feedback with significantly improved refinement and ride control.
To deliver this performance, engineers have updated the innovative suspension concepts from prior models, developing optimized new designs for the “control blade” multilink rear suspension and the semi-isolated front and rear subframes.
The chassis design is complemented by a completely new Electric Power Assist Steering system, which has been carefully tuned to deliver pure and precise responses at high speed while remaining light and maneuverable for parking.
Ford’s European driving dynamics specialists have also enhanced cornering stability and agility with the introduction of an advanced Dynamic Cornering Control system, which uses “torque vectoring” techniques to transfer power between the drive wheels to deliver reduced understeer, improved traction and better turn-in.
All global customers will benefit from the same quality of dynamic performance in the new Focus. Identical chassis and suspension architecture is being used for all markets, except for minor regional tuning differences, such as local tire specifications.
Efficient powertrains deliver performance with outstanding economy
The engaging driver appeal of the new Ford Focus is magnified by a powertrain range that delivers spirited performance and targets outstanding levels of fuel economy and CO2 emissions.
The global powertrain lineup for the new Focus will include a range of state-of-the-art Ford EcoBoost™ four-cylinder turbocharged direct injection (DI) engines – including the 1.6-liter unit in Europe and a choice of advanced and improved Duratorq TDCi common-rail diesel engines, all of which offer reductions in fuel consumption of between 10 and 20 percent compared to the outgoing models.
For the NAIAS preview, Ford is showing a completely new 2.0-liter gasoline engine for the North American market that features DI and Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) for enhanced performance and fuel efficiency. The new 2.0-liter DI Ti-VCT engine is up to 20 horsepower more powerful than the current 2.0 Duratec I-4 unit while contributing to projected fuel economy gains of more than 10 percent.
To maximize the performance and economy advantage enjoyed by the new Focus, the 2.0-liter DI Ti-VCT engine is mated with the latest dry-clutch six-speed Ford PowerShift automatic transmission. This transmission uses an advanced dual-clutch design, which alone can help to reduce fuel consumption by up to 9 percent compared to a traditional four-speed automatic.
The dry-clutch PowerShift transmission is based on more efficient manual gearbox technology, and does not require the additional weight and complexity of torque converters, planetary gears and oil pumps used in conventional automatics. Electronically controlled twin clutches shift gears quickly and smoothly, providing the seamless flow of torque plus the refinement and ease of operation customers expect from a premium automatic transmission.
Ford also has confirmed plans to begin building a full, battery electric vehicle in 2011 at its Michigan Assembly Complex, for sales in North America. It will be the company’s first battery electric passenger vehicle.
Intuitive technology enhances convenience and safety
The next-generation Focus will bring C-segment customers around the world an exciting array of advanced technologies generally found in larger, more premium vehicles. The global scale of Ford’s C-car program makes more technologies and features economically viable than ever before for cars in this segment.
The technology package of the new Focus promises not only clear leadership in the C-segment, but also includes features customers in larger, more premium segments would find surprising.
The new technologies have been designed to be simple and highly intuitive to use, while enhancing both convenience and safety for the vehicle occupants.
Within the cockpit, the most significant innovation is the company’s next-generation driver connect technology, MyFord, which provides the driver with a state-of-the-art combination of controls and display screens to operate the key vehicle features. On high series vehicles, the MyFord system includes an 8-inch touch screen, allowing the driver to control a wide range of functions via a clear and intuitive color display.
MyFord is complemented by a new generation of Ford’s powerful SYNC® connectivity package, which includes a sophisticated voice control system, Bluetooth and satellite navigation, along with connection points for a wide variety of external devices and media players.
Other available safety and convenience technologies include keyless entry and “Ford Power” start button, a rearview camera and a semi-automatic parallel parking system that automatically steers the vehicle into a parking spot.
Strength and safety
The Focus platform provides an incredibly strong and stiff structure, which not only benefits vehicle dynamics and refinement but also provides the basis for enhanced crash performance.
High-strength steels are used extensively in the next-generation Focus body shell. High-strength steels comprise 55 percent of the body shell, and more than 26 percent of the vehicle’s structure is formed from ultra-high-strength and Boron steels – significantly more than any other Ford product. These advanced materials help the structure meet the most stringent crash legislation across world markets, while minimizing the vehicle’s weight.
The structural integrity of the body shell is also reflected in its torsional rigidity, which is 25 percent greater than the current North American Focus.
Quality and craftsmanship in every detail
With global customers now demanding a more premium experience from small- and medium-sized vehicles, achieving outstanding levels of quality and craftsmanship was a primary objective for the new Focus.
The new Focus will make significant strides in reducing cabin noise, promising a quiet cabin environment. This refinement complements the fresh new interior design and higher craftsmanship levels to create a premium feel akin to larger vehicles.
Each component in the vehicle that the customer will touch, see, hear or even smell has been subjected to rigorous analysis to ensure that it will exceed an owner’s expectations. Particular attention has been given to the quality of interior trim materials, and the color matching, gaps, flushness and tolerances where one part meets another.
Across the majority of vehicle attributes, Ford has developed a global DNA standard that defines the exact attributes a part should have to meet the quality requirements of the brand. Examples include the sound the door makes when it is closed, requiring special attention to the door structure and latch mechanism, and the design of a steering wheel, right down to the thickness of padding and size of stitching on the rim.
This meticulous attention to detail is also reflected in Ford’s global manufacturing strategy for the Focus, with consistent standards and processes being applied in every one of the assembly plants, wherever they are located in the world.
“We believe the new Ford Focus will provide consumers with an unmatched driving experience, together with an unrivaled ownership experience,” said Jim Farley, Ford group vice president, Global Marketing. “The Focus brand always has been very special to Ford, and this new global model shows our commitment to developing another generation of exciting and appealing cars.”
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