Ford Focus Electric ready for sale

Just twelve months after announcing plans to release an all-electric Focus, Ford has confirmed a battery powered version of its popular small car is just about ready to hit US showrooms.

Stealing some of the limelight from GM's plug-in Volt and the Nissan LEAF, both of which debuted last year, Focus Electric will be introduced tomorrow by Ford CEO Alan Mulally at a consumer electronics show. At the same time, Ford's executive chairman Bill Ford will unveil the car in New York.

"The message we are sending in New York and Las Vegas is simple: Ford is serious about electrified vehicles as part of our plan to make fuel economy affordable," explained Ford's product development chief Derrick Kuzak. "The new Focus Electric is the company's first global electric production car and one of a family of five electrified vehicles coming from Ford in the US by 2012 and in Europe by 2013."

Ford will officially debut the car to the world's automotive media at next week's Detroit Motor Show where it also plans to reveal a number of new hybrid models. Ford currently sells three hybrid models in the US -- the Fusion sedan, Escape SUV and Lincoln MKZ.

"Ford is offering consumers the power of choice and an ownership experience designed specifically to make it easier for customers to enjoy their electrified vehicles and maximise the energy-saving benefits," said Kuzak.

Locally, Ford Australia plans to introduce a number of new models over the coming 12 months, including the recently spied Territory diesel, new Ranger, facelifted Mondeo range and locally-developed Falcon LPI. The all-new Focus range will follow later in 2011.

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