I had the opportunity last week to fly out to Ford headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. It was fabulous! Of course I was alone in my own hotel room sans kids for three days, but biased opinions aside, Ford knows how to have a good time. Along with over 250 other bloggers, writers, and press we spent three days learning all about the strides Ford has been making in the auto industry.
I would most definitely have to say the overall feeling I came home with was that there is something big and new in the auto world. It’s no longer about great fuel economy, state-of-the art technology, or even hybrid cars. It is all about philosophy. And Ford has nailed it with just two words: Go Further.
Go Further is all about not only having a fabulous car, but also having fabulous choices. From the Fusion Hybrid to the Focus Electric (pictured above), Ford has developed a car for every budget, and every lifestyle. During the week I had the opportunity to hear from J Mays, Group Vice President of Global Design and Chief Creative Officer at Ford Motor Company, who said, “Your home represents who you are. Your car represents who you want to be.” So true!
So with that said, I wanted to share with you my absolute favorite car I learned about while visiting Ford: the 2012 Ford Focus Electric. As you can see above, Ford efficiently set up tents so that all 250 of us visiting could test drive the Ford Focus. (We also had the opportunity to drive several new Ford vehicles.) It was by far my favorite car. Not only is it aesthetically a beautiful vehicle, it is also powered exclusively by a new lithium-ion battery system that will never need a single drop of gasoline. Ever. Did I also mention you will never need an oil change either? Sounds like the car for me!
The 2012 Ford Focus Electric is rated the most fuel-efficient five-passenger vehicle in America, with a city fuel efficiency rating of 110 MPGe, the best city rating in its class. And with the available 240-volt charging station, you’ll be able to fully charge your Focus Electric in about half the time of the 2012 Nissan Leaf. Oh, and you totally get to charge it at home. Nice!
The average mile range of the Ford Focus Electric is about 76 miles on each charge. Perfect for the local commuter. And according to Ford more and more business are offering charging stations for consumers, some even for free since they love helping your eliminate your carbon footprint. If you ever get in a bind the vehicle also comes with a standard 120-volt convenience cord, which allows you to charge by using a standard 120-volt household outlet on the go.
The Focus Electric comfortably seats 5 passengers, is crafted with premium quality materials, and sports details like low seating, and easy-to-reach controls. Like all Ford vehicles, it is also made with up to 85% recyclable products.
While cruising in the Ford Focus Electric I must admit I was not just impressed with how quiet it is, but also how powerful. The Sony audio was equally impressive, boasting nine speakers and HD Radio. Motoring around you can enjoy listening to crystal-clear digital audio and high-quality sound. You also get the convenience of iTunes tagging, which is when you hear a song playing on the radio that you like, and you simply press the Tag button. The song info will be transferred to your iPod or iPhone, and then later it gives you the option to purchase it from the iTunes store. Love it! I can’t tell you how many times I am in the car listening to the radio wanting to write a song down so I can find it again later. Seriously such a good idea.
As if the Ford Focus Electric doesn’t have enough going for it, Ford has also developed a phone app called MyFord Mobile. Ford lets you monitor and schedule the charging of your Focus Electric from anywhere, helping you to maximize your miles. It allows you remote charging of your vehicle, status updates, provides you with the location of your vehicle, and helps you find the nearest charging stations through mapping the most efficient route. The app is brilliantly designed to help you manage costs and improve your cars efficiency.
Dying to learn more or try one out for yourself? (You totally should – it drives beautifully!) Visit Ford online HERE to learn more about the 2012 Ford Focus Electric. You can also easily enter your zip code to find available cars and pricing in your area. Thanks Ford for allowing me to test drive this fabulous new car!
Disclaimer: I was not financially compensated for this post, however my traveling costs and expenses were covered by the Ford Motor Company. All opinions, test drive squealing with excitement, and detailed toddler car seat measurement taking in every vehicle I drove, excessive button pushing to mimic my own children’s behaviors, are my own. Hey – I’m a mom remember?
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive compensation if you make a purchase using the links.
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