Ford embraced the social media movement early on, and it proved a successful tactic ahead of the launch of its then all-new Fiesta. The automaker is once again taking to Facebook and Twitter, this time to keep hatchback fans in the loop of the production progress of the upcoming Ford Focus ST. Key folks involved in the development of the hot hatch are putting together video updates, which will then be offered up exclusively to the vehicles Facebook fans and Twitter followers.
Over 300,000 Facebook users have signed on to get updates on the car so far.
The first video shows Jost Capito, Ford's director of global performance vehicles and motorsport business development, behind the wheel of a Focus ST as it takes on various driving conditions at the automaker's Lommel test facility in Belgium. Click past the jump to see Capito explain his testing, and how the Lommel facility mimics roads from around the world. Also, head over to Facebook.com/FordFocus if you want to become a fan of the upcoming ST.
Over 300,000 Facebook users have signed on to get updates on the car so far.
The first video shows Jost Capito, Ford's director of global performance vehicles and motorsport business development, behind the wheel of a Focus ST as it takes on various driving conditions at the automaker's Lommel test facility in Belgium. Click past the jump to see Capito explain his testing, and how the Lommel facility mimics roads from around the world. Also, head over to Facebook.com/FordFocus if you want to become a fan of the upcoming ST.
Facebook Fans to Get Exclusive Progress Reports on New Ford Focus ST
• Exclusive video and photography of the all-new Ford Focus ST to be shared first
on the Focus Facebook page, highlighting the car's technology, performance and
practicality
• Videos will give global Focus fans insights into the project from key members of
the development team, as well as previously unseen vehicle footage ahead of next
year's launch
• Online campaign will be ongoing, helping Focus Facebook fans – more than 300,000
strong – stay up to speed with the progress of Ford's first global performance car
DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 1, 2011 – Since Ford first announced its all-new Focus ST,
performance car fans around the world have been eager to find out more. To answer this
demand, Ford will begin actively sharing both exclusive video and photography, first on the Ford
Focus Facebook page, to keep enthusiasts up to date on the development of this sporty new
model.
The materials will explore technical highlights, the driving experience and high levels of
refinement that make up the core DNA of the new Focus ST, which is expected to deliver an
estimated 247 HP/250 PS when production begins. The more than 300,000 fans of the Focus
Facebook page will be able to access newly generated and previously unseen footage of Focus
ST development cars undergoing testing, plus insights into the car's features from key members
of the Global Performance Vehicle team.
"Our Facebook page allows us to reach out to enthusiasts around the world for the first time and
share with them the final stages of development of the new Focus ST as it happens," said Jost
Capito, director of Global Performance Vehicles. "This is Ford's first truly global performance
vehicle, and social media gives us a rare opportunity to show enthusiasts how this car is
progressing, gives insight into its technologies and builds excitement in this community as we
finalize Focus ST's technical specifications."
Updates will start with a look at the specific work involved in developing a global performance
car and how the Global Performance Vehicles team has been testing Focus ST in numerous
weather conditions and over a wide variety of road surfaces.
The video clips will then explore some of the cutting-edge features of Focus ST, including
enhanced Torque Vectoring Control, the advanced Electronic Stability Program and innovations
applied to the 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost® engine and finely tuned suspension.
As the team continues its testing regime and as Focus ST gets closer to its 2012 launch, Ford
will keep fans of the page updated, reporting from the company's proving grounds at Lommel in
Belgium, the infamous Nürburgring in Germany, from hot weather testing trips in Spain and the
United States, and from driving quality tests over twisty B-roads in the U.K.
"We are determined that the new Focus ST will meet the very high expectations of our fans
around the world," said Capito. "Focus ST will deliver on the promise of great technology,
exciting driving dynamics and high levels of refinement – making it as enjoyable to use for
everyday driving as it will be on exciting and challenging roads we performance enthusiasts
deliberately seek out.
"Our Facebook series is equally exciting," Capito added, "as it lets us connect directly for the
first time with performance and Ford enthusiasts alike, and takes them with us through the final
stages of development for the new Focus ST."
To follow the new Focus ST story and get involved in the action, visit Ford's Focus Facebook
page: www.facebook.com/fordfocus
• Exclusive video and photography of the all-new Ford Focus ST to be shared first
on the Focus Facebook page, highlighting the car's technology, performance and
practicality
• Videos will give global Focus fans insights into the project from key members of
the development team, as well as previously unseen vehicle footage ahead of next
year's launch
• Online campaign will be ongoing, helping Focus Facebook fans – more than 300,000
strong – stay up to speed with the progress of Ford's first global performance car
DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 1, 2011 – Since Ford first announced its all-new Focus ST,
performance car fans around the world have been eager to find out more. To answer this
demand, Ford will begin actively sharing both exclusive video and photography, first on the Ford
Focus Facebook page, to keep enthusiasts up to date on the development of this sporty new
model.
The materials will explore technical highlights, the driving experience and high levels of
refinement that make up the core DNA of the new Focus ST, which is expected to deliver an
estimated 247 HP/250 PS when production begins. The more than 300,000 fans of the Focus
Facebook page will be able to access newly generated and previously unseen footage of Focus
ST development cars undergoing testing, plus insights into the car's features from key members
of the Global Performance Vehicle team.
"Our Facebook page allows us to reach out to enthusiasts around the world for the first time and
share with them the final stages of development of the new Focus ST as it happens," said Jost
Capito, director of Global Performance Vehicles. "This is Ford's first truly global performance
vehicle, and social media gives us a rare opportunity to show enthusiasts how this car is
progressing, gives insight into its technologies and builds excitement in this community as we
finalize Focus ST's technical specifications."
Updates will start with a look at the specific work involved in developing a global performance
car and how the Global Performance Vehicles team has been testing Focus ST in numerous
weather conditions and over a wide variety of road surfaces.
The video clips will then explore some of the cutting-edge features of Focus ST, including
enhanced Torque Vectoring Control, the advanced Electronic Stability Program and innovations
applied to the 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost® engine and finely tuned suspension.
As the team continues its testing regime and as Focus ST gets closer to its 2012 launch, Ford
will keep fans of the page updated, reporting from the company's proving grounds at Lommel in
Belgium, the infamous Nürburgring in Germany, from hot weather testing trips in Spain and the
United States, and from driving quality tests over twisty B-roads in the U.K.
"We are determined that the new Focus ST will meet the very high expectations of our fans
around the world," said Capito. "Focus ST will deliver on the promise of great technology,
exciting driving dynamics and high levels of refinement – making it as enjoyable to use for
everyday driving as it will be on exciting and challenging roads we performance enthusiasts
deliberately seek out.
"Our Facebook series is equally exciting," Capito added, "as it lets us connect directly for the
first time with performance and Ford enthusiasts alike, and takes them with us through the final
stages of development for the new Focus ST."
To follow the new Focus ST story and get involved in the action, visit Ford's Focus Facebook
page: www.facebook.com/fordfocus
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