Ford Social: Electric Ford Focus is the Car for Stars on “The Jay Leno Show”

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Electric Ford Focus is the Car for Stars on “The Jay Leno Show”

9/18/2009

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“The Jay Leno Show” will have a new guest starting on Friday, September 18: An all-new battery-electric Ford Focus. The electric car will appear in a segment called “Green Car Challenge.” Tuned to perform on a racetrack that was specifically designed for “The Jay Leno Show,” the battery-electric Ford Focus will be the car used throughout the first season. Celebrities who accept the challenge will be at the wheel, driving quickly to establish a fast lap time that future guests will try to beat. Actress Drew Barrymore is the first celebrity to accept Leno’s “Green Car Challenge.”

The electric Focus to be driven by celebrity guests on “The Jay Leno Show” (NBC, Monday – Friday, 10 – 11 p.m. ET) is one-of-a-kind vehicle, based on the European five-door production Focus ST, modified into a battery electric vehicle (BEV) as part of Ford’s BEV test fleet. This specific car started life as a European production Focus ST, built in Germany in July. The car was delivered to Ford in Dearborn, Mich., where engineers went to work, removing the traditional engine and gas tank and installing an entire electric powertrain – all in six weeks. With Recaro racing seats, a roll cage, a five-point racing harness and wearing a unique (and fitting) Electric Orange paint scheme, the battery electric Focus ST is ready for racing.

Thanks in part to the battery placement, the race-ready Ford Focus BEV has a nearly ideal 50/50 weight distribution for improved race track handling. The front springs and dampers come from the performance-minded Ford Focus RS, a popular, high-performance European production model. The rear dampers and springs are unique to Leno’s Focus BEV.

The car is specifically tuned to perform on the track built alongside “The Jay Leno Show” studio at NBC. To help improve performance, Ford created a similar track at their proving ground in Michigan to test the vehicle so it would be ready to handle the tight turns.

For more information on “The Jay Leno Show,” please visit www.thejaylenoshow.com.

To receive updates on this topic from Ford Motor Company, please click here and fill out the form.

Focus BEV coming 2011*

Besides an ability to perform on the track, the Ford Focus BEV boasts the impressive statistics of a conventional battery electric vehicle, with a range of nearly 80 miles on a charge and peak power of 141 horsepower (105 kilowatts).

The Focus BEV foreshadows many of the same systems that Ford will begin selling to consumers in an all-new electric Ford Focus, scheduled to go on sale in North America in 2011.

VEHICLE SPECS:

Powertrain: permanent magnetic electric motor
Power: 141 hp / 105 kw
Torque: 236 lb.-ft. / 320 Nm
Redline: 7500 rpm
Batteries: 98, air-cooled, 60 A-h Lithium-ion batteries
Capacity: 23 kilowatt hours
Transmission: Single speed gearbox
Steering: Electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion
Front suspension: Macpherson-type struts
Rear suspension: Independent short-long arm (SLA), control blade multi-link system
Brakes: Front: 12.6 in / 320 mm ventilated discs, Rear: 11.0 in / 280 mm solid disc, Anti-lock system
Wheelbase: 104 in / 2640 mm
Overall length: 171.7 in / 4362 mm
Overall height: 58.9 in / 1497 mm
Overall width: 72.4 in / 1840 mm
Curb weight: 3,421 lbs

There are 13 key technologies that set the battery electric Ford Focus apart from a traditional car. You can read about that technology in the diagram below, or click on the image to read the fact sheet on Scribd and see related information.

Ford Battery Electric Vehicle

The Road to Electrification

Ford has been on the road to electrification for years, and is working to reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ on many fronts. To read more Ford stories about these continuous improvements specific to hybrid and battery electric vehicle technology, click on the articles below.

Ford to Offer First Battery Electric Commercial Vehicle on Global Transit Connect Platform

Intelligent Communications for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Ford Continues to Grow Hybrid Vehicle Line

What Will You Do to Help the Environment?

Ford Escape Hybrid: Helping to Save Lives and Fuel on L.A. Beaches

Relationship Furthers Green Technology

The 41-mpg Fusion Hybrid: How We Did It

2010 Fusion Hybrid and 2009 Escape Hybrid make Kelley Blue Book’s List

Ford, EPRI Add Seven New Utility Companies, Battery Maker to Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle Program

Ford Plugs Into the Future

The Technology of the Escape Hybrid

91 COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE

Tony Diane, Don't forget about all the battery acid that could be spilled all over!
1 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Tony I see all these auto makers are still trying to fool us into believing their electric car design is a "green" solution - much like the fake "EV" assist design. These solutions are no more "green" then the patrolium we are currently using to power our vehicles. Think of all the lead and acid that will be needed to power all these batteries? Definitly NOT GREEN - especially when there are inventions out there that will supply electric power without the use of all these batteries. We have to stop settling for their propaganda and start developing real solutions that are truly beneficial and cost effective!
1 year(s) ago via Ford Social

jim stACk St-EV-en, Just look at the Tesla S sedan, made in America, 300 mile EV range and all american power to run it. We have come a long was once the big 3 got out of the way. In the next 5 to 10 years we will go EVen farther.
1 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Steven It would take you 24 hours to go to Dallas from Tulsa, on EV right? 80 miles then need a 8 hour charge? You would have 3.5 stops, based on 280 miles. Wow EV has a long long way to go for long distance travelers.
1 year(s) ago via Ford Social

diane I work for the fire dept, and we need to know if they in a accedent, how do we get the people out without then or ourselfs getting eletacuted. From what we understand, it is high voltage, can kill us and anyone who is in the car. We need some help on this stuff to understand the facts.
1 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Sam By the way, correct me if I'm wrong Ford (or any Physicist), but for everyone thinking that some sort of wind turbine or scoop on the hood will help regenerate the battery while driving ... by the law of conservation of energy, this would be more of a detriment than a gain. Solar PV in roofs or hoods to trickle charge an accessory battery may help (a little). But, you'd lose more energy than you'd gain by putting a "windmill" (even a very small unit incorporated into the aerodynamics of the vehicle) on the hood or roof of a moving vehicle. As an installer of wind systems, I have learned over the years that they're best suited for tall towers in open spaces. Sorry for the disappointment.
1 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Sam Ford, where have you been? What has happened to making progress in the world of diminishing fossil fuels? Hybrids that get only 40ish mpg? Give me a break! My '94 Civic gets 45 - 50 mph, and it has 250,000 miles on it! Anyway ... not to dwell on the past ... let's move forward! EV's are awesome. Electric motors are far more efficient than combustion cycles (even when you consider "well to wheels"), charging at night minimizes the requirement for new powerplants to be constructed, and electricity can be generated renewably making us even less fossil fuel dependent. Please bring on the EVs! Particularly, for those of us that really DO need an AWD vehicle because our winter lasts 6 months (U.P. of MI), offer an AWD or 4WD version. I realize this greatly reduces range, but autos can be made (e.g. GM's late EV1, Tesla) that get a range of well over 100mi/charge. If some range needs to be sacrificed to an AW drivetrain or cold climate, so be it. I converted a small pickup (S-10) to all-electric to get my wife to/from work. She loves it, but range and winter driving are the issues. If you're going to offer all-electric, please offer it for all by offering an extended range option, and by offering an AW/4W drive option. You supply ... we'll buy! Thank you!
1 year(s) ago via Ford Social

K.Wolf I ve got 2 projects im working on to solve energy renewal problems. Im a 2002 ford focus ZX3 owner and it gets me around plenty fast. Ill bet my car can do 45 just as fast as any car on the planet. But Alternative electric source propulsion has alwas interested me. Who knows in 10 years my littl 2002 will be te the car of the future.
1 year(s) ago via Ford Social

JR Lewis. Ok one more thing... we desperately need the jobs and if we just get on this and stop BS around there is plenty of solutions. The idea of the quick change battery and stations as proposed by Planet Better Place is absolutely fantastic with its simplicity of the so called range issue. Com-on guys lets stop over thinking this and get some cost effective EV's on the market and stop killing ourselves and everything around us with the fossil fuels.
1 year(s) ago via Ford Social

JR Lewis. I like the idea of a solar moon/sun roof and or wind mill hood scoop." and side scoops as mentioned above, however there Seems to be lot of over thinking taking place the last I checked it was still the alternator that recharges the batteries on even the newest vehicles. regenerative braking in addition to the forward momentum from the wheels connected to a couple of high output direct-drive Alternators, instead of belt driven from your internal combustion motor seems like a quite practical and logical approach. Surely it would not be that hard to put gears on them puppies an shove em on the other side of the wheel wells or something of that sort.
1 year(s) ago via Ford Social

John B. Tim is right. The electric has to be sold as a SECOND vehicle. not a complete replacement for the gasoline automobile. The car makers need to quit using the limited range to kill this concept, and educate the public to the full electric as the car you use 90% of the time, to work and back, running errands, day in and day out driving. Keep the gasoline vehicle for longer trips. A small price tag will hurt for a year or two, but as Tim points out, it will start a world-wide revolution, and Ford will be the leader. Don't they want to be back on top?
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

A. Archer I've been reading the suggestions and comments; I'd like to get a Ford EV too, it irks me to have to fill up with gas, knowing what the true cast of gas is, when the gas station could be a "quick charge" station just as easy given the advanced state of solar and wind these days and how much square foot surface the roofs of the stations have. Also, the power feed-back technology mentioned above has been proven to work, at least in small tests; in an experiment that I read about, battery drain was approximately 90% less than control vehicles which did not have the feedback. I can envision a "wind mill hood scoop." and side scoops (like on the '65 'Stanger) giving three re-generating mills in addition to what has already been incorporated. Also, since batteries are much lighter these days than the lead acid battery technology of last century, a double-bank might be worth considering - one bank charges while driving then switches over seamlessly at a certain point. I envision that we'll be looking at 300 miles per charge as "the olden days when they only got 300 miles per charge" within the next ten years. Plus I understand that the new batteries are near 100% recycleable and pretty much environmentally safe too, unlike old technology. I'm a working stiff too, so you guys at Ford, keep it as near to under $20K as you can. And although I got a chuckle about the RC car technology mentioned above, it's not a bad idea: adopt, adapt, and overcome! With built in charging such as solar cells, windmills and geez, maybe a hand crank with a spring - the naysayers will be deprived of their main ammunition!! (Coal produced electricity). Zip zip zip go get 'em Ford! They will sell, it's what folks are looking for - and we need them on the market now with full commercial support!
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

ElDario Cafe US Ford Motors is making the RIGHT decisions, and the right corporate moves. I salute the Ford Corporate leaders, that listened to the buying public. As for me, I want an "Ampere," and make that color, "Desert Sand." That vehicle is going to exceed the public expections! "Salute!"
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Bill Carter it's all wonderful..and 80 miles is enough ..to start with...but it must be air conditioned and like everyone else is saying around 20 thou much more and it's dead...we let the europeans run all over us with the great diesels...there are towns in europe that don't even have a gas pump, all gas-oil as they call it...
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Michael Anthony Puntillo Bless them all: When you start selling the Electric plug-in Vehicles please contact me. Convertibles are wanted. Thank you. Sincerely Michael Anthony Puntillo of Norwich, Connecticut USA. What are you waiting for ???? Please think about our suggestions. A) Wind electric generator placed in front. B) Generator geered with electric motor. C}L.E.D. lamps for all lighting, add solar chip in with them. D)Generator brake system. E) Solar cells place on hood and trunk. "Bless them all" When you build and sell this type of vehicle you company will be richer then you ever dreamed. We need this kind of vehicle to save our earth.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Al Phillips Most of my milage is put on at less than 100 per day and at 65mph or less. Electric would do fine if it were not for such a high capitol cost,(40,000). I went so far as to buy an S10 and data on a conversion to electric but havn't done it because it sounds like better components will be available shortly. I would very seriously consider an electric truck by Ford in the same class if they could sell it for aproximatly the same price as a gas powered unit.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Allan Wegner I suggest that your battery capacity of 23 kilowatt hours is too low! I suggest that it should be closer to 30 KWh. The mass of the vehicle with the larger pack can be reduced with a lower weight / lower output internal combustion engine driveline. Given this combination, you could offer a 100 mi beginning of life battery pack to then you would easily have a 50 mi end of life pack. However, the cost with current battery technology would be higher but that could be an option - see below. In summary, I suggest that you should emphasise the plug-in / national electric grid aspects in any electric/hybrid vehicle that you introduce vs. your current hybrids, which are as good as any on the world market. For example, one option is for you to offer various battery pack options, such as aftermarket companies currently offer, which is also analogous to various engine options you currently offer. BTW the battery pack in your Escape hybrid could be larger. It is only a whimpy 7 AHr! It is really disappointing to go only a few blocks in town before the engine starts. As background my father-in-law and I converted a gasoline powered vehicle in the 70's to a plug in hybrid with only 11 KWh on board Pb batteries and only 20 Kw of on-board generation, but it gave the requisite 100 mi round trip distance in mixed city-highway driving, As expected with Pb battery technology, the battery pack had a shorter life than you might desire, and the vehicle curb weight was less than 3000 lbs. However the vehicle worked, and it had performance that was comparable to a Prius Plugin Hybrid - It Used (albeit dated) American Technology. BTW, Build the key enabling technology - LION batteries in the US - don't buy Gold Top! America can do better! Build American! Go Ford - Make America the World Leader!
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Richard Yeager-Stiver My only demand is the car comes with standard safety equipment - ABS brakes, side airbags for front and back occupants, curtain airbags and front-stage airbags. This is the only way you will have me leave my Prius (all this equipment came with the base package on our vehicle). I like "saving" gas, but I also want to ensure the vehicle "saves" my family in an accident. It is interesting: we give money to people who hate us (places with oil) and most EV cars do not have the newest and best safety equipment - both end up killing us. I don't care much for trading one thing that will kill us for another. Safety should be standard - not a luxury.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Scott Meenen Give it time and the Greenie Weenies are going to start screamming "you cant just drive around without paying for it, putting gas in you car is an American obligation"
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Bert Cundle Lanie B.: $20,000.00 + $100.00 / Week ~ 208 Weeks = $40,800 00 ...A Real Bargen, Not evan counting the other expences Saved!
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Bert Cundle THERE IS NO REASON, TO NOT BUY A FORD !
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Lanie B I hope Ford does not decide to get greedy. The price should be around $20K. If the car could be mass produced for that price I would buy one in a heartbeat. But, if Ford starts to push the price upwards to $30K I may have to rethink if it's a vehicle I could afford. Ford orginally built their cars for the masses-- it would truly be nice if Ford went back to its' roots and built an all electric vehicle for the average person. Without Ford's originality for the assembly line who know what kind of cars would be around today.I only hope that Ford will look into its soul and again place the average person as the target buyer for this car. Like I said around $20 grand will keep me wanting to own it.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

DUDE Who ever wrote this, nice one. Don't worry, if they lag, Tesla and the other true electric car companies will eat them up and you want have to worry about FORD or CHEVY doing business anymore. They want to make sure that the oil companies don't drop them. Well, if they stay true to the oil tycoons they will be left out in the cold by the big two.... TESLA and FISKER. not bad ford. but my RC car will still smoke that thing, and get like 4 times the run time. I mean come on we got RC that does 0-100+ in just 1.73 seconds. give yah hint its called carbon fiber with a sweet brushless system and lithium polymer. just ask Jay Leno doesnt he got like 300 or so. Pluss we got power cells that charge our batteries off Solar. Lol the ford is old as technology gets in RC
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

joe tomicki why don"t you build a electric car that recharges it self. if I can do it two diffrent ways .....
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Rob YES!!! I have always been a Mustang guy, and I would LOVE to see FORD help the #1 car in the WORLD survive the change over from GASOLINE. I plan on converting a sweeeeet 95 V6 to EV status in the next year or 2, biggest hurdle is aftermarket batteries that are up to par. EV MUSTANGS NOW, FORD!!!
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Victor D after seeing how this car performs, I only got to say one thing. I gotta get me one of these. good job ford..
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Ed Zyskowski Once again America gets it stuck to it. Why is it in Europe you can get all sorts of sporty cars, gas powereds yet here in the USA we have to settle fore re-engineered pieces of automobile tech. Why is it the Focus RS is available in Europe but not in the USA. We have to settle on a battery car?? Batteries are not the be all and end all. Sure you've taken the emissions off the street so to say but electricity has to be produced somewhere and where that somewhere is at produces pollution. Furthermore with a future glut of plug in vehicles the big question is, "Can the grid handle it???" Before we go all ga-ga over electric cars we better look at the long term effects and demands. Before we go out and add more load to the grid perhaps we should rebuild the grid. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for green but all aspects better be considered and not just a global quick fix. On another note. I do love the styling as I own a 30+ MPG, 2003 Focus ZX3.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

sharon v I have had a regular Ford Focus cars for the last several years. The regular is great on gas so I can just imagine how fantastic the electric car is. It is just like Ford to be tops in the innovative class. My Focus has never gotten less than 25 miles per gallon in the city. On the highway 31 to 33 per gallon. As far as I am concerned Ford is tops in looking ahead and getting quality employees to see Ford gets there. You all deserve a pat on the back for taking off your blinders and looking ahead and makiing it happen. Also, thank you Jay for making the car an exciting deal. Not everyone has the beleivable factor. When you stand behind something it gives a certain amount of trust to the issue or item. Thank you Jay/ Ford/and the hard working Ford employees that make the dreams come true. Keep up the grat jobs.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Jim I read that it takes more energy to make the batteries and to generate the electric to run the car than a gas powered car would use in its life time. you are just paying your energy cost upfront. think about it, $5000 more for the electric car than a gas powered car that get 35MPG if gas was $2.50 a gallon you could drive for 70,000 miles before you made up the cost difference that's not adding in the cost to charge the car or if you had to finance the extra cost.. what will these cars be worth in 5 years? I love the idea, but if you want to save the Earth, take one less trip a week,turn off the lights your not using, and buy an energy star appliance
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

michael h. clayton My wife and I are both retired and living on a fixed income. We just recently installed solar panels on our house to generate our own electricity. We live on the central coast of California where we enjoy many days of sunshine. We want to get an electric vehicle as soon as possible to help us economicaly and environmentaly. We would be willing to drive an evaluation vehicle in this area of the country and advertise Ford's progress with electric vehicles. Please let us know if you are interested in our offer, or have an electric vehicle we can purchase. We would prefer to stay with Ford vehicles since we have always been a Ford family, but the presures of our economic situation is pushing us to make some nearterm decisions so we can stay in our home. Thank you. Michael and Marilyn Clayton
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Kenneth J Simon I am building an electric truck that will be able to go much farther on a single charge than anything on the market today. I will be testing it before Christmas. Check with me next year for an update.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Michael Anthony Puntillo WOW!!! I am so happy ford is on the bandwagon with electric vehicles. Hello; My name is Michael and by adding a wind electric producing generator on the outside front of them will give a longer distant with the battery. Also add solar cells on the hood and trunk. Use the brake electric generator system too. Place L.E.D. lamps for all the lighting in and out. The lighting should have solar chip added to generate electric when lite. Yes as we travel wind hits the front of all moving vehicles so lets use it to keep the battery peaked. You have heard from Michael Anthony Puntillo of Norwich,Connecticut USA.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Joel I am glad this showed up on TV to help create awareness about electric cars. One thing that got my attention was the boastful claim that the car gets up to 80 miles per charge. While this is good, we have done better in the past. The NiMH battery that Chevron mothballed was used in the Saturn EV-1s and the the Toyota RAV4-EV were both 100% electric cars and went up to 200 miles per charge. We can't use the battery technology because it is owned by an oil company. I was reading about this in Two Cents Per Mile, a book on electric vehicle technology by Cefo.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

LJ Thank you Ford for staying free from government help. A true electric is needed now, it will payoff so keep focus it will fix this country yet.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Russell Williams We got so much very good service from our previous Ford Escort (1998) I was just hoping that Ford would soon build an electric or hydrogen powered version of the same. Now, it is a real possibility. I will consider buying one sight unseen whenever we get ready to trade in our 2009 Fusion. .Russ.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Harry B Three Fords in 9 years is not very good advertising for longevity. Electric cars should simplify not complicate the drive train - afterall - its just an elecgtric motor and a battery! So why should these cost 30K+ !!??
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

mary ryan hi l wish l could win one,,,this car is cool,,,,,,,,,,
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Susie Fry I got news for the guy who thinks the US version of the Focus is a dog with fleas....I am driving a 2008 Focus - it is my 3rd (I previously had a 2001 and 2003 and last month, my husband just bought one too.. a 2010)... My next one will be a new Electric Focus..... bring it on... and let me know when it is coming..
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Tom Moss I am a 73 year old Ford man and have been buying Fords for over 50 years. WHEN CAN I PLACE MY ORDER FOR THE FOCUS EV ???? SAME COLOR AND GRAPHICS. I now have an 2008 Escape and is by far the best Ford I have ever owned. GOD BLESS AMERICA, Your Faithful Ford customer, Tom Moss
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Tom N The EV's that were produced back in the '90's should have been kept on the market and sold, not leased, to the general public. It makes Ford's green claims sound hollow when you look back and see that Ford, along with GM, Toyota, and Honda, introduced roadworthy electric cars back in the 90's and deliberately chose to take them off the market as soon as they were legally allowed to do so. This car could have been on the market 4 or 5 years ago, if Ford's top management hadn't decided to sell us big trucks and SUV's instead.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

jim Why's this 2011 when you already had a ford EV? Are you going to crush these like you crushed all your ford evs?
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

R.J. When designing the electric cars,have the battery charger built in so if you go further than the car can do on a round trip you have the charger their with you when ever y0u need it! Keep up the great work and bring it on !I want on!!!
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

driveby78 wow i love this car,i"ve been thinking about buying a hybrid from the japanese co's,but after i saw the car on the jay leno show i was blown away by the styling of the car with the racing seats.executives at ford better get on the ball with these type of cars,theres interest in consumers about these cars.throw out all the marketing data and give the people what they want.a non polluting great looking car.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

doug korthof Ironically, there are already EVs on the road, the Toyota RAV4-EV, the only Electric car ever offered for sale by a member of the Auto Alliance and last sold in Nov., 2002. Virtually all are still on the road; over 100 miles range at freeway speeds and battery pack lasts longer than 100K miles. It uses Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries, the only proven batteries that last that long; perhaps Ford's Lithium will be the first to last more than 50K miles. Why not use cheaper, recyclable NiMH until Lithium is proven??
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Dale Hedrick I have 2 vehicles paid off. Do I want to buy another vehicle? Yes. Am I going to? No. I feel like there are a great deal of Americans that want to buy another vehicle and feel the way I do. I want an EV. My daily driving is perfect for an EV. I have been reading about them for years and reading the promises that they are coming. Do they ever come? No. Will the Ford Focus make it to market? I'll believe it when I see it. I truly believe I'll see a KIA or some crap like that make it first to the American EV market, way before our backward automakers attempt to make a footprint. Ford and GMs old fart execs knew this was coming years ago and did nothing to prepare themselves. Now they are appearing to strive to appear to be green. If the Ford Focus EV is such a gem, why isn't it on the lots? Why aren't they in production? It's a small car, the auto makers should have a clue by now and they should be on the lots for sale. If I took that long to produce at my job I'd be out of my job. I feel and I feel that most Americans want new technology....Gas is out....Electric and Alternative are in. Ford needs to produce NOW the Ford Focus and quit toying with America that they have an EV and it is on the Jay Leno show. Talk is cheap....To FORD Motor Co: Produce big boys or a crappy car company like KIA will take your business from you before you get out the door.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

dan baker while we all would like Drew to show up in our driveways with a high tech all-electric car... most of us probably can't afford to keep either. ;) BUT, what I found out is that if you can accept going old-tech with a DC motor, Lead-acid batteries, and put in 150 hours of equity to breath new life into an old clunker, you CAN convert your own to all-electric! I have a 40 miles range, highway speeds, and stock acceleration in a Suzuki Swift for a grand total of about $8k.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

CarlW At the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Ford of Europe revealed the first of a fleet of Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) prototypes based on the Ford Focus, and specially developed to participate in the UK Government's 'Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicles' demonstration initiative next year.The research programme aims to test the technology's suitability for potential future application in Ford's European passenger car range. The Focus BEV prototype vehicles The Focus BEV prototype is based on the current European Ford Focus and will use a new all-electric powertrain, provided by the strategic supplier Magna. This technology is based on that being developed for Ford's new-generation C-sized global vehicle architecture and which will be launched in North America in 2011. To evaluate whether this technology is suitable for European road and driving conditions, a fleet of fifteen European Focus BEV prototypes is being built. These cars will deliver local zero emission mobility without constraining the user needs and providing room for five passengers, a practical boot and other Ford Focus attributes.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

John I couldn't agree more. Ford must think we are stupid not to know that their European Focus equivalent is a much better car than the tin can box they pedal over here in the U.S. I own a 2008 focus and while I find it peppy and fairly well handling I know I'm missing out on a lot more. HEY FORD HOW ABOUT SELLING US A COSWORTH FOCUS instead of making us go in search of aftermarket parts which are hard to find and not dealer supported. Oh and while I’m on my soap box, wtf is up with the new $40,000 (if you want any options) Taurus?! Hello, that’s not at all affordable! For that money I’m going to buy a German luxury car. And another thing, what happened to the Fusion? It’s not even bigger than the Focus on the inside, at least in head room and shoulder room. In fact the Focus has more head room. Sometimes I wonder what the bean counters and engineers are thinking.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Shane I agree with the Mustang comment. The style of american cars seemed very bland and cookie cutter for a long time in recent history. What happened to the style of the classic cars? The new Mustang design, as well as the restyling of other recent muscle cars, have been (in my humble opinion) a huge step in the right direction. Bring back the personality and style of classic cars along with this new green movement, and you will sell America on the green car.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

robert a miranda how much is it going to sell for? If you can keep it under 20k,;i will buy one.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Peter So when is this showing up in Sweden ?? I would buy it tomorrow if it came out at a retailer .. Get with the program and start listening 2 the customers .. WE WANT THIS CAR NOW !!! and people wonder why the car industry is slowly going belly up, it's called supply and demand people !!!...
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Kickin in Canada I gotta say seeing the E-Focus on Leno lately has been one of only reasons I have tuned into his new show. What a fantastic looking, practical and environmental friendly vehicle. I can't wait till this comes to market in Canada. BEV Focus in the sporty five door would be fantastic. The styling is far superior to that of the 4-dr sedan. You've got a winner here Ford - just bring it to market -quick. Here in Ontario the government just announced an up to $10,000 tax credit for electric vehicles. Ottawa Proud father of three, and owner of a Ford Escape Hybrid & Ford Expedition (yes its a bit like a big mac and a diet coke), and soon to be owner of Ford BEV Focus (or Chevy Volt if it eventually seats five)!
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Kevin H - Boston Well said.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Kevin H - Boston Then I don't think we should let it get passed. We live in a Democracy we should have some say in how the utilities are operated. Also, you can install solar panels and windmills right at your house. Pretty soon I think contactors will actually offer them as a selling point.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Kevin H - Boston Just a thought... Why not have "Hot Swap Stations" instead of Gas Stations where you can pay to swap out you battery with a "Full Tank" (Fully charged) battery. Make them M-O-D-U-L-A-R. We have only been doing it in electric Remote Control cars for like 30 years now. How's that for unlimited range?
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Kevin H - Boston Regarding your comment on the 1000 Ft Lbs torque Mustang - Awesome. :)
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Kevin H - Boston Please mass produce this car! I WILL buy one if you do. I have always been torn because I am not wild about the quality of American cars, I am a German car fanatic and I feel the quality has always been better and the ergonomics of the controls more well thought out. HOWEVER... I have noticed that the quality and design of American car manufacturers has got a lot better and has recently caught my eye. I am willing to give them a second chance. I'm guessing many Americans are starting feel the same way (Despite the bail-out). We want technology that makes sense, we want a greener solution (Some don't but should be gently persuaded through selection (like electric cars only) before our planet is destroyed) we want to catch up with our competitors around the globe, we want to be the leader in everything, were America, WE CAN DO THIS! I'm psyched Ford has taken the initiative in this, but also feel the car should be made by Americans here in America, like every other American car should be. This is my opinion but to me seems like common sense. Spread the wealth, loose the $30,000,000 golden parachute/bonus/salary and give your employees a job with fair salary and health insurance. I recently watched Who Killed the Electric car and was left wondering why they had be discontinued. I feel it had a lot to do with greed, Oil Lobbyists, money, etc. etc. This was unfortunate but now we have a second chance to make things better. I think the pro's of electric car far outweigh the cons. ...Getting off soap box now. - I can deal with a 200-300 mile range. - I can deal with sub 5 second 0-60 time - I can deal with loads of torque - I can deal with far less maintenance and moving parts - I can deal with MUCH LESS noise and air pollution - I can deal with paying 60-80 cents a gallon (Relative) I think we are all ready for the Electric Car (Just don't make it look like it came from the year 3000 we can deal with them looking like a regular car ;)
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

trenton mcallister Got to be cheaper than the Nissan leaf at 25000.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Russ It is good to see that Ford is doing something other than Hybrids, or Hydrogen cars. This is something that can be driven in large cities. Good job Ford stand up to the Big oil companies, looking forward to driving one.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

TJ I'm very happy to see that Ford is bringing over the excellent Fiesta from Europe. I've seen this car in person and I hope that little is changed from its current state. I love the styling, the quality, and it sounds like its brilliant to drive. The equipment packages and options lists look excellent -- don't deprive us of the best features like HID headlamps, rain sensing wipers, smart key, etc. to bring it down to a bargan basement price. I think the US market is ready for small, fuel efficient cars that aren't boring with dull grey interiors and no options. I have always been a Ford guy at heart but in recent years I've moved on to brands like Nissan and Volkswagen for the quality, the styling, and above all - the driving experience. I WANT to buy a Ford again, and I know this company is capable of building great cars from the current offerings in Europe. That said, had the current European Focus or excellent Mondeo would have been offered here, I would have purchased one in a heartbeat over my current VW Passat.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

James Pollock Everybody says they want one. How about picking a average family to drive one and get it out the door NOW. When people see it driving town around besides famous actors racing on the JAY LENO show. They will ask questions of the driver. Some of the ones I would ask are. How does it work? What is the range? What do they like about it? How much is it costing to own it. How will does it work in the cold of an Illinois and Wisconsin winter? In others words would this car fit with my life style.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Thomas I was so excited when I saw that Jay Leno was going to have a green car segment on his show with the Ford Focus. I love that Ford is pushing for green alternative cars for the future. The car is really sporty, but also very eco-friendly, which is something I think that Ford is better at conveying than most of the other car companies. I look forward to seeing more famous actors driving the car, and I think Ford was really clever in promoting the car in this way! I really like that they used a 5 door hatchback too...I have a 2005 Focus 5 door hatch and I LOVE it! I really, hope that they bring back the hatch! Good job Ford ford getting on The Jay Leno Show!
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Richard I lov?e it, how do I get one
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

matt not bad ford. but my RC car will still smoke that thing, and get like 4 times the run time. I mean come on we got RC that does 0-100+ in just 1.73 seconds. give yah hint its called carbon fiber with a sweet brushless system and lithium polymer. just ask Jay Leno doesnt he got like 300 or so. Pluss we got power cells that charge our batteries off Solar. Lol the ford is old as technology gets in RC.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Tim T If this vehicle hits the market under $20k it will be a revolution the likes of which haven't been seen since Mr Ford's assembly line... My guess, however, is that it will hit the market between $32k and $42k and will, as a result, be a complete flop. A sub-$20k all electric will prove Ford's commitment to being the next global automotive solution provider. A $38k electric, on the other hand, will prove this whole 'new thinking' is just ammunition to present to the next Congressional Hearing.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Mauro Dear Ford, Please get this car out (5 door) ASAP.. We need it..
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Adam Tim not every part of the country gets its power from coal. This technology gives us the chance to use solor, wind, hydroelectric, and other AMERICAN-made fuels. This isn't all about environment. It is more about politics with the Middle-East. This car is a giant middle finger to those who have the noose around our neck. If the biproduct is helping the environment...all the better. BTW my windmill (home built) will charge it in about eight hours; and its not stuck to the car.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Tim Sneed If Cap & Tax (Cap & Trade) gets passed it'll cost an arm and a leg just to charge it up. Or did they forget about where the electricity comes from. DOH! At least those people that can afford to pay for the electricity will be driving green. The rest of us that can't afford it we'll just have to ride our bicycles to work and be even greener. Or maybe they can install a windmill on top so it charges while you drive. Cool!
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

donald shartzer sounds too good to be true
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Gunderstorm I was soooo bummed to see the 5-door phased out in America! But to find out that Ford is bringing it back as an electric - well, I forgive you, Ford. Moreover, I'll milk my 2002 for another year and we can talk in 2011.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

ALBALAIRV WHY DOESN'T U.S. TREASURY SUBSIDIZE THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION OF THIS TECHNOLOGY AS IT DOES WITH THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY? OUR GOVERNMENT SHOULD COME UP WITH A FIGURE SAY $10,000 PER VEHICLE . NOTHING GETS PROGRESS MOVING LIKE MONEY.THIS WOULD THEN BECOME AN INVESTMENT RATHER THAN ANOTHER FOOLISH HANDOUT. IF THE VEHICLES ARE MADE EXCLUSIVLY IN THE U.S. THE INVESTMENT COULD BE PAID BACK IN NO TIME BY AMERICANS GOING BACK TO WORK AND PAYING TAXES INSTEAD OVERBURDENING THEMSELVES AND THE TREASURY.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Christof Demont-Heinrich Ford, great job of promoting the Focus BEV in an exciting way! If you really want to show the BEV's full ZEV and true green potential, how about a campaign that promotes the synergy between solar and the Focus BEV? We'd eat that up. More important, millions of green consumers would eat it up too! Can't wait for the Ford Focus BEV to roll off the assembly line! Hope I can actually snag one!
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Mike Looking at the euro Ford Focus brought in for Jay Leno I ask the questions to Ford. What are you waiting for??? This car is competitive with the best from any where in the world. It would be wildly successful. That is especially if youy continue the plans for the Fiesta which will slot in the price range you are trying to fill. i am interested in the plug in hybrid in the Focus shown and hope you do not let more customers buy Toyotas instead of Fords.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

calfinosdzingi a lovely car.would like to buy! please sent me procedure to procure it.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

jb stringer Great idea with the "electric" focus. If there was enough interest we'd be happy to create a class for the Focus at the Xtreme Power "evo" challenge races, Texas World Speedway, July 4th, 2009 people interested in racing the "focus" should contact Ford Racing or Xtreme Power Solutions, Kyle, Texas helping to create a information data base
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Josh working for a ford dealer and being in a younger generation and all about the look as well as the capability of the car. Very impressed with the capability of a BEV Focus, as per Jay Leno show. Very good styling, still I would rather have the body style of a ZX3 which IS a european option but will not be one as a global design.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Matt I can tell you I have bought my last IC auto. If the Focus EV were available, I’d be in the showroom. Currently driving a MINI E and the technology is ready. Looking forward to a production vehicle getting to market. Glad to see an American company producing a BEV. As above, I would prefer a 5 door, as it will be most flexible and popular in a city environment. Questions; 1. Is your 70 mile range estimate based on an LA4 test cycle? 2. Will you sell or lease only to non-fleet buyers? 3. Will batteries have lease or cost per mile options? 4. Will charging be SAE J1772 compliant? 5. Will it have right foot regeneration? Looking forward to a test drive!
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Dale Roessler I would love to buy an electric ford focus if it has a range of 300 miles per charge and can be charged quickly for a reasonable price. How about a 480 volt, 100 amp charging system? Check out Tesla motors, they have a 300 mile range in the S model.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Mark Schirmer Adam -- I work over at Ford and I think we are finally "getting with it." New Fiesta launches next spring (and Edmunds just ran a test against the Honda Fit and gave the win to the Fiesta; click here to read the article) and then an all-new global Focus comes after that. Production starts in late 2010. World beaters, both of them (we hope!). Mark Schirmer Ford Motor Company
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Paul du Bois de Nevele Sorry in advance but here goes my comment: It is a commonly known fact that Ford doesn't care what North American customers want. While the rest of the planet has the MKII model, the ST, Diesel and even the new RS, USA and Canadian customers are left in the cold. OH yes I can hear them say already that the Fiesta is coming. I, for once, do not care for the Fiesta, I want a Focus Hatchback as I drive the ZX5 and just love this car. Too bad they WILL loose me as a client since they don't care about what we like here. Hence even Mexico has better hatches there, meaning MKII model and ST. This being said, I find it hard to believe that they wouldn't sell enough of the MKII models here. Ford can't even come up with a decent answer wether we are going to get the new Focus Hatchback in the US or Canada, they just send you a ridiculous random pre-written letter as an answer whitout ever answering any question. I wonder if ANYBODY at Ford really knows what is going on and when the new hatch will ever come over. This can come over as a bit harsh but it's the thruth, I know or a fact, being left in the dark, that as soon my ZX5 dies, it's over with Ford and they will be the only ones to blame for loosing another customer, thanks to their bad PR or for not being straightforward to their customers.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Adam Epatein the Euro spec Focus,and Fiesta are so much better than the US models. Ford needs to get with it and take a tip from Honda and Kia that well designed small cars witl sell in the US and make money for Ford.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Larry Stewart As one who worked in Ireland and drove a 2006 European Ford Focus, I have wondered for years why that style of Focus, which is what the BEV is based on, is not sold in the US. This is a fantastic performing, sporty looking, and economical car. The Focus sold in the US is a dog with fleas. Please offer the U.S. consumer the same type of autos and styling you offer the remainder of the world. if your marketing department says it won't sell, they are wrong and have been for years; you make some great international cars. This style of Focus -- whether it be electric, gas or diesel or hybrid -- would do very well in the U.S. There is very little in this category that would compete.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Mark Schirmer I work over at Ford and from what I know, the Focus BEV will launch sometime in CY2011. Team is still developing the system -- the Leno car is part of the development fleet, a high profile part. Lots of open issues still of course around range and performance. We have not confirmed the body style yet -- it will be based on an all-new global Focus which will launch in CY2010. Your points about charging are real and example of things the Ford engineers (and other car company engineers) are working through. The real-life issues around electric cars will be interesting and a real challenge to consumers, car companies, electric companies, the government. It is an exciting new world we are racing towards. Looking forward to working with early adopters like yourself. Best of luck and thanks for being part of the Ford Story.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Bernie I enjoyed seeing the Euro-spec Focus on Leno and have a few suggestions for Ford: 1. 4. Please put my name on the waiting list ASAP for a BEV Focus. 2. I REALLY hope the BEV Focus will be available on the 5-door model, not just the 4-door. I was in the UK for the past few weeks and the 5-dr Focus was everywhere. The styling was far superior to that of the 4-dr sedan, which was rarely seen. 3. Please don't scrimp on the interior features of the BEV Focus. I want to be able to order mine with the same features available on the Titanium model in the UK - leather seats, keyless entry, collision avoidance, premium stereo, etc. 4. Let us know how the BEV Focus can/will be recharged at locations other than one's home. I live in L.A., and driving distances here can be quite long. I'd like to know that I can "quick recharge" my BEV Focus at a service station using a "quick charge" option similar to what Nissan is developing for the "LEAF" - in ~ 20 minutes or so with a 220-volt connection. 5. It would be useful to have an idea of approximate vehicle range under various conditions - freeway driving, city, warm vs. cold climate, and other suggestions that will help us optimize the range of our BEV Foci. Ford did a nice job with the Fusion's instrument cluster - can some similar tips be employed in the Focus? I can't wait to "Drive One" of my own!
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Patrick The Green Car Challenge with the Ford Focus hatchback was really awesome! Drew did a great job driving the car. This segment really did an excellent job of showcasing the superb European Focus 5 door hatchback and Ford's BEV potential. Kudos to Ford and Jay Leno! Go Ford and Go Focus!!!
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Alfredo i need one now, dont want to send my money overseas anymore. we need more electric cars and trucks.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

clint there are two electric mustangs made by shelby topping off at 1000 ft lbs of torque 0 to 60 in 3 seconds....
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Bret Great to see that Ford is looking beyond Hybrids to BEVs. It would be great to see Ford challenge Tesla and release BEV versions of their models soon. Sign me up for the first modern Ranger BEV, and if you can pull off a high performance Mustang BEV I would buy one of them too.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Thomas Chimienti Pretty cool but if want to sell this technology lets boost the horse power of the electric motor larger Li battery and shove it in a Mustang1 =D
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Patty I just watched the first race on the Jay Leno Show and thought the car performed amazingly! I think that it is awesome of Ford and Leno to bring this kind of technology to the forefront of American minds! Great job and keep up the promotion and America will go green.
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social

Sharon I loved watching Drew Barrymore drive the all-electric Ford Focus on the Jay Leno show. Maybe I'll be ready to swap my Escape hybrid for an electric Focus in 2011. Way to go!
2 year(s) ago via Ford Social