Union leaders at Amicus...
Union leaders at Amicus accused new owner Nanjing of giving the roadster a "kit car" assembly at the revived Midlands plant.
As well as being the...
As well as being the most technically advanced family hatchback ever launched, Fordò€™s new Focus also promises to be the greenest!
Speaking at the Detroit Motor Show ò€“ where the new Focus made its public debut ò€“ company chairman Bill Ford announced both electric and plug-in hybrid versions of the car would be built in the US. The EV will be available in only 18 months, with the plug-in hybrid going on sale in 2012. Although details are yet to be confirmed, a Ford source has told Auto Express that the EV edition, which will initially only be available in left-hand drive, is to share much of its technology with the recent Magna-engined BEV prototype.
With a 23kWh lithium-ion battery, it will deliver 134bhp and offer a range of around 75 miles. A full charge will take six hours from a household plug, and half that time from a 400-volt industrial supply. Meanwhile, the plug-in hybrid will use the same lithium-ion battery technology and incorporate a conventional hybrid powertrain, similar to that fitted to Toyotaò€™s Prius, rather than the range-extending EV technology offered by Vauxhallò€™s Ampera.
Speculation suggests that this car could reach the UK late in 2012. The technology has already been fitted to the US-only Escape 4x4, which returns around 120mpg with fully charged batteries. Cells are topped up by braking and freewheeling, or can be recharged with a standard household plug.
The Focus, which is lighter, smaller and more aerodynamic than the Escape, should better this figure with fuel economy of more than 130mpg.
Fordò€™s all-new Focus range goes on sale in the UK later this year, with the introduction of the Grand C-MAX.
It will be joined in January 2011 by the five-door hatchback model, also revealed at Detroit.