Tattoos Come Into Focus - Literally - With Ford's Hot New Small Car

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire/ --

• Tattoos are not just body art anymore; customers will soon be able to express themselves with vehicle tattoos for the all-new 2012 Ford Focus

• Ford Custom Graphics will offer more than 200 unique vinyl wrap tattoos in an array of different colors for the new Focus at www.fordcustomgraphics.com

• Available in a variety of designs – from geometric patterns and racing stripes to whimsical imagery like splashes and swirls – the Custom Graphics offer the look of custom paint at half the cost

• Ford Custom Graphics are currently available for the Ford Mustang, Explorer, F-150 and Fiesta

The popularity of tattoos has turned body art into a fashion statement – especially among Millennials – and Ford is taking the trend one step further by offering car buyers a quick and inexpensive way to express themselves with tattoos for the new 2012 Ford Focus.

From geometric patterns and racing stripes to whimsical imagery like splashes and swirls, customers will soon be able to choose from more than 200 unique vinyl wrap tattoos to find a design that reflects their personality at www.fordcustomgraphics.com.

"Millennials have a very personalized, artistic side to their lifestyle, and their vehicle is a very important part of that," said KC Dallia, Focus brand manager. "With its striking front end, sleek profile, dramatic rising beltline and athletic stance, the Focus provides the perfect canvas for customization."  

Tattoo trend extends to cars

According to the Pew Research Institute, nearly four in 10 Millennials have at least one tattoo, and Gen Xers are not far behind at 32 percent.

Sheryl Connelly, Ford Global Trends and Futuring manager, says the migration to vehicle tattoos is a natural progression of the tattoo craze.

"The one-size-fits-all model isn't really relevant to today's consumers, and it's not necessarily a desire to stand out from the crowd. It's more of a desire not to be lost in the masses," she said. "People are personalizing everything – cell phones, computers and clothing – and it's no different with automobiles."  

Ford Custom Graphics developed for the new Focus will range in price from $120 to $470 and can be easily removed, providing younger customers with an economical way to "grow with their car," says Connelly.

"People are holding on to their vehicles longer, and the way we identify ourselves today may not be the way we want to express ourselves tomorrow," she said. "Customers can easily change the tattoos as their life situation and style evolves."  

Test your creativity with the 2012 Ford Focus at www.fordcustomgraphics.com  

With a few clicks of the computer mouse, customers can choose the exterior color of their Focus, select the tattoos they like and then be able to see exactly how the designs will look on the car.

All of the tattoos are made with 3M Scotchprint^® Personalized Vehicle Graphic Film plus a clear graphic protection layer. They are professionally installed at Ford dealerships and include a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty.

Original Wraps Inc., a provider of on-demand custom graphics to the automotive industry, developed the tattoos and the website for Ford. According to the company's chief executive officer Tom Stemple, the tattoos offer customers the look of custom paint at half the cost.

"Another important benefit is that the tattoos are made to order. We don't manufacture any graphics until they are purchased," said Stemple. "That gives us the flexibility to keep updating the designs to give customers fresh new ideas to choose from."  

Custom Graphics are currently available at www.fordcustomgraphics.com for the Ford Mustang, F-150, Explorer and Fiesta. Because orders are processed at individual dealerships throughout the country, there is no way to track how many tattoos have been sold, but consumer response to the site has been strong with an average of 15,000 unique hits per month.

Focus graphics are expected to be online in mid-January.

2012 Ford Focus offers customers more choices at production

The all-new 2012 Ford Focus, which will arrive in dealerships early next year, will offer customers plenty of choices at production, including four trim series – S, SE, SEL and Titanium – and 11 unique wheel styles.

The vehicle also will be available in 11 exterior paint colors. Four of the choices are premium paints. Tri-coat paints that offer deeper, richer color will be available in White Platinum and Yellow Blaze, and two tinted clearcoat paints will be offered in Red Candy and Blue Candy.

Vehicle Personalization: Ford Custom Accessories make it easy and fun

The automotive aftermarket has grown into a $34 billion industry. And Ford Vehicle Personalization continues to come out with cool new products – from wheels and decklids to hood scoops, grille inserts and vehicle tattoos – to meet increasing customer demand for accessories.

"The goal of Ford Custom Accessories is to give customers new ways to make the vehicle their own," said Jim Abraham, Ford Licensed Accessories manager, noting that the business of Vehicle Personalization at Ford has grown exponentially over the last few years. "Our accessories are designed alongside our vehicles, so the integration is seamless and reflective of Ford quality."  

To learn more about Ford Custom Accessories, please visit www.fordaccessoriesstore.com.

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 163,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010. 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