EDEN PROJECT LAUNCH FOR FORD ECONETIC AS LOW CO2 SALES SURGE

EDEN PROJECT, Cornwall, 22 May, 2008  –  Ford Focus ECOnetic's debut at Eden Project's 'Sexy Green Car Show' marks a growing public shift to low CO2 vehicles – with Ford sales in the segment up by a third.

The Ford Focus ECOnetic boasts class-leading CO2 emissions of 114g/km, equating to 65.6mpg.  Priced from £16,050, Focus ECOnetic slots into the range between Studio/Style and top end Zetec/Titanium models.

It is the first of a series of ultra low CO2 models announced by UK vehicle market leader Ford.  The sub-140g Ford Mondeo ECOnetic, capable of 53.3mpg, goes on sale in July from £18,455 and an ECOnetic version of the all-new Ford Fiesta will follow in early 2009.

Sales for Ford's existing Focus, Fiesta and Fusion models with CO2 emissions under 120g have risen by a third in the last year.  During this period it has been announced that cars in this sub-120g segment will be exempt from the daily £8 London Congestion Charge from October this year.  In addition, this year's Budget declared that the £35 road tax applied to those vehicles will be waived from 2010 for the car's first year on the road.

In the first four months of this year alone, 2,800 more new car buyers opted for low CO2 Fords than during the same period last year.

Roelant de Waard, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said:  "Drivers want to be green but without giving up comfort and performance or paying a high price.  ECOnetic answers that demand.

"Ford ECOnetics, along with the low CO2 169g Ford Kuga crossover, deliver style with a green conscience."

Ford Focus ECOnetic:  what's different?

• Improved aerodynamics:  Focus ECOnetic is lowered by 10 millimetres at the front and 8mm at the back. Its aerodynamics kit, comprising modified front bumper skirt, rocker claddings and rear spoiler, helps to deliver an aerodynamic drag coefficient (cd) of 0.31
• Low rolling resistance 195/65R15 tyres
• Enhanced lubrication:  New low-viscosity transmission oil developed by Ford's fuel partner BP

ECOnetic technical spec