Detroit preview: Ford's electric line-up might include a Focus EV
by Sebastian Blanco on Jan 7th 2009 at 7:53PM 
We're all pretty aware that this year's Detroit Auto Show will be a more somber event than in previous years. Still, drastically reduced sales and a sour economy won't stop everything in its tracks. Chrysler, for example, will bring an electric car (possibly a four-door Dodge coupe). What's Ford got? We're not sure yet, but on the heels of the lauded Fusion hybrid, we are hearing tales that Ford will at least talk about new electric vehicles during our time in Cobo Hall next week. We expect that one of those will be an electric version of the Transit Connect, but the surprise rumor is that, "Ford is also tipped to reveal plans for a new electric sedan that is scheduled to go on sale in 2011 and is likely to be based on the next-generation global Focus sedan." The 2008 Focus is pictured above - would you like one with a powerful battery pack?
Gallery: 2008 Ford Focus
[Source: Motor Authority]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Alex Rakune 8:02PM (1/07/2009)
If they are going to use the Focus cant they do the hatch at least? While the Fusion is a great car its just too big for a lot of people and the trunk on a small car like a Focus is just wasting too much precious cargo room.
I suppose it would take a miracle for them to offer it in the three door ZX3 version.
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rob 10:37PM (1/07/2009)
"I suppose it would take a miracle for them to offer it in the three door ZX3 version."
It would. There's no way Ford is going to spend the money on tooling up for the C1 Focus for North America when the next generation is due in 2011 or 2012. Mazda or Volvo would be happy to sell you one of their versions though.
BTW, if you really, really, really want a Focus RS, you can buy one in Mexico. Importing it to the US is your own problem though, good luck.
Red 9:43PM (1/07/2009)
"The 2008 Focus is pictured above - would you like one with a powerful battery pack?"
Hell no. But I'll take one when it comes with a version of Ford's Kinetic design. RS Rallye Blue please.
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jeff 11:18PM (1/07/2009)
I will be ecstatic if this turns out to be true. it'd be a real sign of action coming from Ford, especially after apparently hitting the ball out of the park with the Fusion hybrid.
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Stan Wellaway 6:03AM (1/08/2009)
Recent hints indicate that the electric van, though coming sooner than the electric car, will not be displayed at the Detroit show, but will instead appear at Chicago 7 weeks later. And still looks like being a rebadged Smith Ampere or maybe even a Smith Edison? Check out http://www.smithelectricvehicles.com and note the Ford badge on some images. The two companies have been working together for a year or more. Smith are going to be building their vehicles on US soil with US labor - and might also be using the F-650 for their Faraday truck model.
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Robert 12:48PM (1/08/2009)
It is the electric version of the Transit Connect. All of those vehicles on the smithelectric site (except Newton) are based on FoE vehicles that are being slowly brought to the U.S. starting this year (job1 on Transit Connect is in April). The Faraday is, in fact, a converted HD F-550, I believe.
I'm not sure what's going to happen as far as agreements/arrangements, but I know Smith was looking for an additional facility in which to do conversions (their Fresno facility only has capacity for 1,000 units/year). It could be that Ford will give them part of an existing facility in the U.S. or in Turkey where their commercial vehicles are built. I can't wait for the announcement.
Adam 7:11AM (1/08/2009)
Why show an electric version of a vehicle that won't be around in two years? I'd put my money on an electric Fiesta.
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Robert 12:47PM (1/08/2009)
They aren't putting a battery in this Focus. It is the next-gen Focus due out in 2010 (job1 in late Q2 of 2010). But since ABG didn't have a picture, they decided to confuse everyone with the current model.
oollyoumn 10:51AM (1/08/2009)
I welcome any BEV. I only wish it would get here sooner. I also would prefer the Fiesta, but at this point any new options would be good.
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jharlan 11:11AM (1/08/2009)
Ford has no choice here. People are going to repair their old cars until car makers offer what they want. To be competitive, they have to offer a small electric car, or they will lose that segment of the market to their competitors. And Ford, are you listening? People want hatchbacks. In the future cars will have to be able to carry all manner of cargo as well as people in an economical fashion. They can't build Honda Fits fast enough to meet demand even though their fuel efficiency is nothing to write home about. It is a functionally versatile hatchback that is cool and fun to drive. I too bemoan the demise of the ZX3, and a ZX5 would be better.
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austin 11:27AM (1/08/2009)
Its called the Ford Extend Autoblog...rememebr that story of Ford trademarking that name?
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Chris 1:05PM (1/08/2009)
jharlan said...
"And Ford, are you listening? People want hatchbacks."
They do? If they really did (in NA), then ford would be selling them (in NA). The take rate on hatches (in NA) wasnt worth the investment costs so they stuck with the sedan in NA. The Fit only comes in a hatch, so people who might want a sedan cant get one from Honda. Are you listening Honda, people want Sedans!!!
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Sasparilla 1:46PM (1/08/2009)
I'm sure alot depends on the market. Toyota was forced to bring their 4 door hatch version of their Yaris - they tried serving the US market with a 4 door Sedan and 2 door Hatchback and decided the demand was there for the 4 door hatch.
Remember Ford made their decision on the Focus hatch several years ago, before gasoline price was on people's radar screen. Thing have changed.
I'd prefer that Ford go with a purpose built vehicle for EV, but any EV is better than nothing.
Bill 4:01PM (1/08/2009)
A Focus EV, huh?
Same problem you have with the Volt - the expense of a large battery pack.
You need a pack roughly 10x the capacity of hybrid batteries like in the FFH for a small sedan.
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chris 5:58PM (1/10/2009)
Screw all electrics. Bring back a commuter scooter I can use. My old '95 Aspire got me an honest 45 mpg without all the fancy hi-tech crap.
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