The automaker has also planned to provide two equipment packages on Focus ST. The first package, which is priced at $2,385, includes a Sony audio system with HD radio and Recaro partial-leather bucket seats. The second one, priced at $4,435, bundles HID headlamps, Recaro full-leather seats, ambient lighting, and a Sony audio system with navigation system.



The standalone options include navigation ($795), a moonroof ($895), and Tangerine Scream tri-coat paint ($495).
If you want a fully loaded Focus ST with many options, you’ll have to invest almost $30,000.

Power to the upcoming Focus ST comes from a new turbocharged and performance-tuned 250hp 2.0L 4-cylinder direct injection engine, mated to 6-speed manual transmission. The shocks, stabilizer bars, and springs have been upgraded, while the ride height has been lowered.

It visually differs from the standard version mainly with a more aggressive grille and front, rear spoiler, rear diffuser, and side skirts. The cockpit features sport steering wheel, pedals, gearshift, and Recaro seats.

The Detroit based automaker has recently pronounced that it will be spending nearly $760 Million to construct a production plant in a place called Hangzhou, China.

The automaker told that the new plant will almost double company’s passenger car production capacity in Chinese market to nearly 1.2-million units yearly when it starts functioning in 2015.

The new project, which is being carried out in association with CFMA (Changan Ford Mazda Automobile) will take Ford’s total investment in Chinese market to nearly $4.9Billion since 2006.



Hangzhou is the capital city, and also the biggest metropolis of Zhejiang territory in the whole of Eastern China, and it has a total population of around 8.7-million. The new Ford’s assembly plant construction will symbolize the biggest commercial realty activity in that region in a decade.

The announcement of the Hangzhou assembly plant comes just 2-weeks after the company told it will spend nearly $600-million to increase production capacity at its well-known Chongqing plant by around 350,000 passenger vehicles, and under 6-weeks after the automaker started Chongqing 2, the habitat of the latest Focus, which expanded company’s passenger car production capacity in China by nearly one-third to 600,000 total units.

This new model is designed for the world-wide markets, but not yet for the United States auto market. Presently it aims at the Indian, Chinese, and Brazilian markets followed by which it is planned to be traded in almost 100 countries.
Ford and its joint venture associate Chang’an will develop the EcoSport model for the Chinese market in Chongqing this year. They will also be assembled in Brazil and India.



The revised model was designed to accommodate a variety of small engine, including a 1.0 liter 3-cylinder EcoBoost unit. The original model, which was based on Fiesta, was introduced in 2003 in South America. The new edition was designed at Ford Development Center in Camacari, Brazil, which is the compact car development of the Dearborn automaker.

There’s nothing to be surprised to see a edition of this small crossover heading to the United States market if the fuel prices reach $5 per gallon.

Company’s credit ratings are raised from BB+ to BBB- that can lead to the higher investor confidence and lower borrowing costs. Upgrade in the ratings reflects the financial performance, product portfolio improvement, and balance sheet repair to get significant improvement. Upgrades in the ratings have got very little Impact on the company’s share price that rose to four cents, which is close to $11.39.

Fitch also becomes one of the 3 major agencies for credit ratings. It has also got better ratings from other agencies. Fitch said that company was very well positioned for navigating ups and downs in the market after slashing debt, introducing competitive products, and reducing labor costs.



Ford is the only member to avoid bankruptcy in Detroit. The upgrade comes as company is releasing the 1st-quarter report of overall earnings this Friday.

However, the financial position of the company improves continuously. It generates profits of around $8.8 billion for the year 2011 and it also distributed the profit sharing to UAW members.

Company has won applauses from various analysts for debt reductions, and introducing the competitive vehicles such as Focus compact and Fiesta subcompact. It also helped the share market with other profitable products like F-Series pickup.

Ford America’s division president – Mark Fields said that “Most of the Americans wiiuld consider purchasing the electric car without understanding various technologies embedded on the car”

Focus electric car is participating in the race and this car will educate the consumers about the benefits of the electrified vehicles and it also shows the company’s commitment towards providing customers different power options.

The car will be unveiled to the customers on April 25th at Virginia State Capitol. Company was using a hybrid vehicle as pace car when the 2008 Fusion hybrid was introduced into the field at Homestead. Company has unveiled the new 2013 Fusion and it is going to participate at the NASCAR competition.



The event highlights the LG Chem profile that was selected as supplier of li-ion batteries for 2010 Focus.

LG Chem is the largest chemical company in South Korea, and was investing in its battery business actively in order to diversify the profit streams.

Credits: Copyright 2012 The Associated Press

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/story/2012-04-16/ford-focus-electric-pace-car/54321244/1

The base version is powered by a 2.5-L I-4 engine, mated to a 6-speed auto transaxle. 2013 Escape is cheaper than the 2012 model and the new 2012 CRV will be one of the chief competitors. 2013 Escape is less expensive when compared to the new 2012 RAV4. New RAV4 pricing starts at $23,460. Price of 2012 Escape base XLS version starts at $22,265.



Top of the line 2013 Escape Titanium is available with standard 2.0-L Eco-Boost engine and a 6-speed auto transmission. Price of Titanium version starts at $31,195. The Titanium trim gets HID headlamps, ten-speaker audio, and hands-free lift gate activated by kicking motion under the bumper.

Power lift gate comes under the optional package with a price tag of $1,895 on 2013 SEL model. This particular package bundles a tonneau cover, push-button start, crossbars, black side rails and 110-volt outlet.

The 2013 model was introduced at 2011 LA Auto Show. There’s no exact information available on the EPA fuel economy numbers.

“Plugged In” showcases the teams of various contestants who complete and win Focus Electric. Viewers are requested to participate via Flickr. Show is produced by Magic Elves Production.

The show is very much intended for helping Ford to reach electric cars group. Yahoo deal is an example for company’s use of social media to reach the customers. Company has declined to make statement on the financial contribution during show time.



Company is more targeted towards building awareness on the product in an efficient way. Industry analysts are expressing their doubts concerned to electric car regarding the price hikes.

All other automakers are getting ready to launch their electric cars making the segment competitive. Focus also competes with Nissan’s Leaf introduced In US. Honda, BMW, and Fiat join the fray.

Company is beginning its Focus electric production in December and the vehicle is expected to get released in 19 States in US by this year end. The new 5-door hatchback starts at $39,200 excluding the fees and taxes.

Design

In the month of Feb 2012, company revealed the new Evos Concept with hybrid heartbeat and aggressively-styled design. Design cues of new Evos concept was embedded in the new 2013 Fusion with lots of promise.



The next generation new Fusion is a clear step in the styling aspect. It has got European design. The razor-style grille was discontinued instead of aggressive headlights. The hood is featured with lines that add more aggressiveness to the vehicle. Rest of the vehicle is bit more conservative and offers you a comfort class feel.

Power

The company has pushed the new Fusion in the power department. New iterations for 2013 provide wide range of engine options with an additional plug-in hybrid model. The system squarely competes with Toyota Prius, Chevy Volt, and others in the market.



There’s a plug-in model for the year 2013 in the Fusion lineup. The base model 1.6 L Ecoboost engine can churn out power in the range of 179 horsepower. It can achieve a gas mileage of 37 mpg on the freeways. The hybrid model is capable of achieving 47 miles per gallon in the city and top speed of 62 mph on electric power.

Around 450 workers took part in this protest demanding restoration of the jobs for the affected employees. The union of employees is devoted towards guiding their efforts for generating unaffected output.



One of the union members said that they are anticipating discussing the matter with the management so that they can reconsider the problem of restoring the jobs back to the terminated workers.

According to them, the company had dismissed 9 employees for no specific reason. The detained workers are currently lodged in wedding halls in neighboring Maraimalai Nagar and Singaperumal Kovil, according to the local police officers.

Ford Motor India said that the strike didn’t affect the production and they terminated nine employees for violating company’s code of integrity and they’ll be soon be compensating between workers and management.