Dynamic Next-Generation Ford Focus Debuts

DETROIT, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

• Next-generation Ford Focus spearheads new range of global C-cars based on a common platform underpinning up to 10 vehicles and 2 million units of annual production by 2012

• Stylish new range offers class-leading technologies, features and craftsmanship. It targets exceptional fuel economy and advances acclaimed levels of driving quality

• Focus will start production simultaneously in Europe and North America in late 2010 and go on sale early in 2011. Sales in Asia will begin in 2012

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, the Focus four-door sedan and five-door hatchback are previewed at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit prior to their production start for Europe and North America late in 2010 and market launch early in 2011. Launches in Asia, Africa and South America will follow. The new Focus will be nearly identical in all 122 world markets in which it will eventually be sold, with 80 percent parts commonality.

"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."

The new Focus is one of up to 10 unique models to be built from Ford's new C-car platform, which is expected to generate sales of 2 million units annually by 2012.

"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 Ford is ready to meet that challenge."

The four-door sedan and five-door hatchback evoke a sporty and dynamic character with a feeling of energy in motion that clearly telegraphs a rewarding driving experience.

The new Focus has an extremely modern, cockpit-style interior, with the stylish center console wrapped around the driver, and a feeling of premium-car craftsmanship.

The new Focus blends outstanding steering precision and road feedback with significantly improved refinement and ride control. The chassis - with optimized new designs for the "control blade" multilink rear suspension and semi-isolated front and rear subframes - is complemented by Electric Power Assist Steering. Cornering stability and agility are enhanced with an advanced Dynamic Cornering Control system.

Ford is showing a new 2.0-liter gasoline engine at NAIAS that features direct injection and Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing with up to 20 horsepower more than the current I-4 unit while contributing to projected fuel economy gains of more than 10 percent.

It is mated with the latest six-speed Ford PowerShift automatic transmission. Its advanced dual-clutch design, which alone can help reduce fuel consumption by up to 9 percent, offers the refinement and ease customers expect from a premium automatic transmission.

The next-generation Focus will offer 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 most significant innovation is MyFord, the company's next-generation driver connect technology. It provides the driver a state-of-the-art combination of controls and display screens to operate key vehicle features.

MyFord is complemented by a new generation of Ford's powerful SYNC® connectivity package, which includes sophisticated voice control, Bluetooth and satellite navigation, along with connection points for a variety of external devices and media players.

Other technologies include keyless entry and "Ford Power" start button, a rearview camera and a semi-automatic parallel parking system.

High-strength steels comprise 55 percent of the body shell, and more than 26 percent of the structure is ultra-high-strength and boron steels. The torsional rigidity of the body shell is 25 percent greater than the current North American Focus.

For more information

For full press release text and images of the next-generation Ford Focus, please click here for the global Focus media site.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 200,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company