Autoblog

Ford prepared for slow sales with Focus Electric

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Ford, Electric

Along with Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, Ford CEO Alan Mulally is confident in the growth of the electric car segment. It's a long-term play, though, so Mulally isn't committing the electric Ford Focus EV to making a strong sales statement. For now, Ford's chief says he'd be fine moving fewer than 5,000 Focus EVs in the model's first full year. And even that would mean a steep rise in uptake based on just 12 having been sold in December and January.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Mulally has also let slip the cost for the battery pack in the all-electric Focus: "around $12,000 to $15,000," which makes the Focus Electric's starting cost of $39,200 a bit more understandable. Given that price range and the EV's 23-kWh battery, that means Ford's cost is between $522 and $650 per kWh, which is lower than the estimated $689-per-kWh industry average so far this year.

Reportage on the current sales of EVs is a bit schizophrenic - for example, bullish here, bearish here, but the commentators and the numbers seem to support Mulally's confidence. If the Focus EV did manage 5,000 sales this year, that would be a little more than half of the 2011 tally for the Nissan Leaf, yet according to Bloomberg, EV market share grew more quickly than any other segment in Q1: Nissan is still working through its Leaf pre-order list, Chevrolet Volt sales were up 277 percent to 2,129 units vs. March 2011, the Opel Ampera has exceeded sales expectations, and other electric vehicles and their marketing pushes will come online later this year. Oh, and gas prices are still climbing.

There were no Focus EVs sold in February or March, but the retail push is gearing up now for the Spring season.

Ford prepared for slow sales with Focus Electric originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What should Ford's new Focus EV sound like? [w/poll]

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:32:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Videos, Ford, Electric

Ford Focus EV sound clips - Click above to watch the videos after the jump

Ford will soon roll-out its all-new Focus EV, and the silent electric sedan will be available in 14 select markets. Before the car makes it that far, however, Ford could be changing that "silent" part. The automaker has posted a few soundbites on its Facebook page, with the hopes of gauging market opinion of what the electric Focus should sound like.

We won't make you head to Facebook to hear the four sounds that Ford has in mind. We WILL, however, make you click past the jump, and if you have a moment, click on your favorite choice in the poll below.

And before you say Ford should leave the Focus EV as quiet as possible, remember that the powers-that-be in Washington have been pushing a bill that would force automakers to make their EVs a bit noisier as an effort to protect the blind. Now, it's time to meet George Jetson...

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Continue reading What should Ford's new Focus EV sound like? [w/poll]

What should Ford's new Focus EV sound like? [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford teases Focus electric ahead of CES

Zach Bowman — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Ford, Electric

It's been nearly a full year since Ford made it clear that the automaker is planning to roll out an all-electric version of its Focus, and now we have our first glimpse at what to expect from the car. The Blue Oval has dusted off its first teaser of the New Year with a shot of the charging port on the EV Focus. Interestingly enough, Ford has decided to skip the Detroit Auto Show as a venue for the vehicle's unveil, opting instead for the electrified Focus to take a bow at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, which runs from January 6 to 9.

Ford has previously announced that when the Focus Electric hits the market, it will initially only be available in Washington, D.C. and just 14 states. Buyers can expect to find a range of around 100 miles thanks to an array of lithium-polymer batteries supplied by LG Chem. The attentive of you will recognize that supplier as the same company that serves up the cells for the Chevrolet Volt.

We'll have the full details about Ford's Focus Electric in the coming days, so stay tuned.

[Source: Facebook]

Ford teases Focus electric ahead of CES originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford reveals initial markets for Focus EV

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Technology, Hatchback, Ford, Electric

2012 Ford Focus EV - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford is gearing up to launch the 2012 Ford Focus EV, and the automaker has selected 19 target markets for its first-ever all-electric passenger car. A press release can only reveal so much emotion, but we would like to believe the copywriters had a Howard Dean-like moment as they rattled off the markets that include 14 states and Washington, D.C.

Ford is working with local government agencies and utilities in the selected markets to help prepare for the launch of the EVs. Its efforts are focused on consumer outreach, education programs and providing information on charging needs. Ford also wants to make sure the local power grid will be able to support the increased demand caused by the vehicles.

The Focus Electric, which will reportedly have a 100-mile driving range, will go on sale towards the end of 2011. It will be produced on the same assembly line as the traditional Focus, allowing Ford to alter production based on demand. Click through to the jump to see if your state is on Ford's initial markets list.

Gallery: Jay Leno's Green Car Challenge Ford Focus

Gallery: 2012 Ford Focus

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford reveals initial markets for Focus EV

Ford reveals initial markets for Focus EV originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Ford Focus EV to use liquid-cooled lithium-polymer battery

Autoblog Staff — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 13:41:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Technology, Hatchback, Electric

Ford Focus EV - Click above for high-res image gallery

When the 2112 Ford Focus Electric debuts in late 2011, it and the Chevrolet Volt will have a common feature in addition to their LG Chem lithium polymer cells. Ford confirms that the Focus EV will employ a liquid-cooled battery pack with automatic thermal management, just like the Chevy.

Ford opted for active thermal management solution in order to help maximize the Focus EV's battery performance and lifespan. By protecting the battery from overheating, the system can help prevent the development of cracks in the electrodes. Those imperfections eventually reduce the pack's ability to hold a charge. Conversely, warming the cells when cold will improve the battery pack's winter performance. When the car is plugged in, the thermal management system will use grid power to precondition the battery before charging actually starts.

So far, Nissan and Mitsubishi are the only major EV manufacturers that are sticking with passive air cooling for plug-in vehicles. Nissan has committed to an eight-year warranty, but it remains unclear how well the battery will hold up over regular use in differing climates.

Gallery: ABG Quick Drive: Ford Focus EV mule

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2012 Ford Focus EV to use liquid-cooled lithium-polymer battery

2012 Ford Focus EV to use liquid-cooled lithium-polymer battery originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford to expand electric and hybrid offerings to Europe from 2011

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:50:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Technology, Ford, Electric

Ford Transit Connect Electric - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has big plans for electrification of its fleet over the next decade, and while most of the emphasis has been on North America so far, Europe will be joining in on the party starting in 2011. Nancy Gioia has announced that between 2011 and 2013, Ford of Europe will get five new hybrid and battery electric models added to its lineup. About six to nine months after each of the new models rolls out in North America, they will be introduced in Europe.

Ford's first new battery-powered vehicle, the Transit Connect Electric goes on sale this fall in North America followed by a European launch in the middle of 2011. The battery powered van is just the beginning of Ford's global electrification plan. Read more about it after the jump.

Gallery: Ford Transit Connect Eletric at Chicago Auto Show

Photos by Drew Phillips, Sebastian Blanco / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford to expand electric and hybrid offerings to Europe from 2011

Ford to expand electric and hybrid offerings to Europe from 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Future Leno Show Green Car Challenge lineup leaked

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hatchback, Ford, Celebrities, Electric

Drew Barrymore takes the Green Car Challenge - Will any of these guys be able to beat Drew's lap time?

Last week, actress Drew Barrymore kicked off the Jay Leno Show's Green Car Challenge segment with a bang. Literally. Canons shot streamers and ping pong balls at the Ford Focus EV while she zipped around the track. Although the whole thing was a bit hokey, we know the segment is here to stay, hopefully with some healthy tweaking.

We say drop the second lap shenanigans, create a properly defined track and make it a real race with some interesting guests. Well, with what we just learned, we think they might be on the right track. No pun intended. It will be another Big Adventure for the next celeb to take the wheel, none other than actor Paul Reubens, better known to most of us as Pee-wee Herman. After Pee-wee has a crack at the challenge, other celebs scheduled to appear are sportscasters Bob Costas and Al Michaels, as well as the one and only, hybrid-loathing Rush Limbaugh.

Are any of these guys capable of besting Barrymore's lap time? Our money is on the lightweight Costas, although Pee Wee might be a shot in the dark. Michaels could surprise, but we doubt Limbaugh will be able to avoid the penalties that will ensue from mowing down the effigies of Al Gore and Ed Begley, Jr. What say you? Who will top the board after these guys complete the Green Car Challenge?

Future Leno Show Green Car Challenge lineup leaked originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Ford shows off new Focus EV for the Jay Leno Show

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Hatchback, Ford, Celebrities, Electric

Jay Leno's Green Car Challenge Ford Focus EV - Click above to watch video after the jump

We've already showed you the first images of a new battery electric Focus that Ford has built for the guests of the new Jay Leno Show to drive in his Green Car Challenge. Now Ford has also posted a video with some of the engineers showing off their handiwork. Once the team got the Euro-spec Focus electrified, it was time for the Ford Racing crew to charge it up. Andy Slankard, Engineering Supervisor at Ford Racing, describes the work done to prepare the car for its life on the small screen. While these show cars started life as Focus ST models, their new powertrain and the added mass of a 23 kWh battery pack meant the suspension needed some beefing up. With the battery pack sitting in the cargo hold in the rear, the weight balance was undoubtedly shifted towards the back. Nevertheless, the car still looks pretty good going through the autocross, as you'll see in the video after the jump. Thanks to Clifford for the tip!

Gallery: Jay Leno's Green Car Challenge Ford Focus

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ford shows off new Focus EV for the Jay Leno Show

VIDEO: Ford shows off new Focus EV for the Jay Leno Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pretty in Pics: Leno's electric Ford Focus gets a face, specs

Chris Shunk — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Ford, Celebrities, Electric

Jay Leno's Green Car Challenge Ford Focus EV - Click above for high-res image gallery

The new Jay Leno Show has been given as much push as any new program in recent memory, with a constant barrage on TV, the radio and all over the interwebs. One part of the show that has really piqued our interest is Jay's Green Car Challenge, which puts celebrities behind the wheel of an electric Ford Focus. We reported on Jay's Top Gear-like challenge last week, but we hadn't gotten our hands on any pics or specs... until now.

The special battery-powered Focus started life in Germany as a run-of-the-mill Focus ST five-door hatch back in July, then it was shipped to Dearborn, MI for electrification. The one-of-a-kind Focus was given an extreme makeover in only six weeks, but we think the results are pretty remarkable. The Green Car Challenge Focus is bright orange, has more decals than Tony Stewart's car and packs a permanent magnet electric motor. The electric Focus weighs in at a portly 3,421 pounds due in part to the vehicle's 98 air-cooled, 60 Ah lithium ion batteries. The electric motor kicks out 141 hp (105 kW) and 235 lb-ft of torque and has a 7,500 rpm redline.

The goal of Leno's Green Car Challenge is for celebrities to achieve the best possible lap times, so Ford made sure its ecologically friendly Focus could also handle track duty. Among the added features in this Euro Focus ST are Recaro racing seats, a full roll cage and a five-point racing harness. Ford also added 12.6 inch front rotors and 11 inch discs out back to make sure this hot orange Focus could stop as well as it can go.

The Green Car Challenge Ford Focus will first hit the airwaves tonight as actress Drew Berrymore gets behind the wheel for some track time. Hit the jump for more details about Ford's converted Euro Focus ST, and click on the gallery below to see a couple great looking pics.

Gallery: Jay Leno's Green Car Challenge Ford Focus

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Pretty in Pics: Leno's electric Ford Focus gets a face, specs

Pretty in Pics: Leno's electric Ford Focus gets a face, specs originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Drew Barrymore first to race Ford Focus EV on Leno's new show

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Ford, Celebrities, Electric

Apparently, electric cars are for girls. For his new prime-time TV show, Jay Leno is going to pit celebrities against one another in his new Green Car Challenge segment and the first one in the driver's seat will be Drew Barrymore. Barrymore will get behind the wheel of a prototype Ford Focus EV this Friday. Following Barrymore's initial time trial, Leno will rope other stars into racing the sponsored Focus on a special track built outside the show's new studio once or twice a week.

For Ford, the tremendous publicity of getting celebs into their upcoming electric vehicle - which is due on the market in 2011 - is a tremendous coup. Nancy Gioia, director of hybrid vehicle programs for Ford, told USAToday that the Leno tie will go a big way in making EVs seem normal. "If (electric cars are) only seen as quirky or off the beaten path, it's really hard to get people" excited, she said.

GM's Rob Peterson sees a benefit to all automakers who are bringing an EV to market. "If we walked into the showroom in 2011 with very little lead time, some segments of the population would have a tough time understanding what these vehicles can do," he said. Instead, we'll have two years of YouTube clips of famous people saying "oh, it's so quiet" to get everyone ready.

Gallery: ABG Quick Drive: Ford Focus EV mule

[Source: USAToday | Image: Adam Pretty/Getty Images]

Drew Barrymore first to race Ford Focus EV on Leno's new show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Jay Leno to put stars in (un)reasonably priced car

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Ford, Celebrities, Electric

Ford Focus EV - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has confirmed rumors that the new Jay Leno show will use the an electric Ford Focus for its Green Car Challenge. From what we hear, the challenge is similar to Top Gear's "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" segment, where celebs take to the track and battle for top times. While guests on the British show tackle the track in a Chevy Lacetti, Leno's buddies will use a prototype electric car Ford will launch in 2011.

The crew at Ford Racing has retuned the suspension of the prototype Focus BEV to make it a bit more amenable to track duty and the Focus BEV will be used throughout season one of Leno's new show. Check out our own first drive of the Focus BEV here.

Gallery: ABG Quick Drive: Ford Focus EV mule

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Officially Official: Jay Leno to put stars in (un)reasonably priced car

Officially Official: Jay Leno to put stars in (un)reasonably priced car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford spending $550M to switch Michigan Assembly from trucks to small cars/EV

John Neff — Wed, 06 May 2009 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Green, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford

Ford has found a way to turn a lemon into lemonade. Its Michigan Truck Plant that formerly built the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator will be building something else entirely in the future: small cars and electric vehicles. Ford announced today it's investing $550 million in the plant to create a modern, efficient and flexible facility where the next-generation, North American version of the global Focus will be built, along with an all-electric version of the car. The next Focus will begin production here as soon as next year, while the EV version debuts in 2011. Ford's getting some help from state and local governments in the form of tax credits to switch the plant's purpose, but many are based on job retention targets that should mean all 3,200 people who work there now will continue to do so.

The plant, which will now be called just Michigan Assembly Plant, shall soon be joined by two more plants that are switching from producing trucks and SUVs to small cars. Cuautitlan Assembly in Mexico has been chosen to build the new North American version of the Fiesta subcompact and Louisville Assembly, once the producer of Super Duty trucks, will be given another vehicle to build based on the global Focus platform.
[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford spending $550M to switch Michigan Assembly from trucks to small cars/EV

Ford spending $550M to switch Michigan Assembly from trucks to small cars/EV originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 May 2009 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detailed: Ford's EV project

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Green, Ford

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Ford Focus EV

Those looking forward to Ford's upcoming electric vehicle, based on the next-gen global Focus platform, should be writing thank-yous to Magna International. It turns out that the prototype mule that's been running around the streets of Detroit (with our own Sam Abuelsamid behind the wheel) was actually built by engineers at the Canadian auto parts supplier to show Ford that it could be done and that Magna was the company to do it.

Ford was suitably impressed, so much so that the Blue Oval announced that a production vehicle based on the design would make it to market by 2011 after a second prototype was built using similar technology. Range from the lithium-ion battery pack will be limited to around 100 miles, depending on how and where the car is driven.

According to the automaker, last summer's high gas prices were the main driving force behind the decision. Now that President Obama appears ready to grant California it's air quality waiver, the decision makes even more sense and also allows Ford to maintain pace with cross-town rival General Motors and Japanese automakers like Honda and Toyota.

Gallery: ABG Quick Drive: Ford Focus EV mule

[Source: Detroit News]

Detailed: Ford's EV project originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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