Ford Says It Will Ease Into Production of All-Electric Focus Next Year
By Scott Doggett October 20, 2010Electric cars are known for their fairly instantaneous acceleration, but when it comes to production levels, Ford Motor Co. apparently doesn't plan to floor it in introducing the battery-powered version of its Focus.
Click on image to enlarge.
----------
That's what Sue Cischke, the company's vice president for sustainability, environment and safety engineering, told reporters at a Washington D.C. electric-vehicle event on Tuesday.
Cischke said the initial production volume of the Ford Focus Electric next year will be competitive with the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid and the Nissan Leaf battery-electric vehicle. While she didn't specify units, that would put production in the 10,000 to 20,000-unit range.
After that, Focus Electric production and sales should ramp up as sales extend beyond the warm-weather states where most of the initial demand is expected to occur.
The Focus Electric, which Ford said last month will include a lithium-ion battery system that utilizes cooled and heated liquid to regulate battery temperature, extend battery life and maximize driving range, will have a single-charge range of about 100 miles.
The car, which will debut in the U.S. in 2011 and in Europe in 2012, is one of five electrified vehicles Ford will release over the next three years. In addition to the Focus Electric, the Ford Transit Connect Electric small commercial van arrives in late 2010, followed by two next-generation hybrid electric vehicles, as well as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in North America in 2012 and in Europe in 2013.
Cischke added that the Transit Connect Electric, which has a single-charge range of about 80 miles, will appear in limited numbers later this year, with production ramping up in early 2012.
Danny King, Contributor
LEAVE A COMMENT
Click here to comment on this entry."The car, which will debut in Europe in 2012"
Seems like I remember reading that Ford would produce the Focus Electric here in 2011. Glad I jumped on the LEAF instead of waiting on Ford. If Europe will see the car in 2012, are we talking 2013 for US introduction?
It will debut in Europe in 2012 and come to the U.S. later the same year.
It seems like it's been forever, but when you trace back, it hasn't been that long since Ford told us they'd be selling an electric Focus.
I'm curious to see how it turns out.
boomerguy, be careful jumping on the Leaf bandwagon. Kudos to Nissan for being quick to market, but they have some serious battery management concerns.
If you read the picture - it clearly states that the Focus will be introduced to the US in 2011 and to Europe in 2012. Not sure why there's a discrepancy between that and the article.
The graphic specifies the electric version will be available in the US in 2011, not just the regular production model.
ADD A COMMENT