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Ford's Electric Car Strategy Comes Into Focus

Forbes -- The fleet of shiny new Ford Focus electric cars lined up on the edge of San Francisco’s upscale Union Square shopping district last Thursday barely elicited a glance from passers-by toting Prada bags. No wonder. Except for a small “electric” insignia, the absence of a tail pipe and some minor design tweaks, the carbon-free car, which goes on sale this spring, is virtually indistinguishable from the gasoline version of the Focus.

And that may be the great strength of Ford’s unconventional approach to selling an electric car.

Unlike the Chevrolet Volt or Nissan Leaf, Ford has not created an instantly recognizable, fashion-forward electric vehicle that all but screams that its owner has paid a premium to go green. Toyota pioneered that approach with great success with the Prius – love or

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Submitted Apr 18, 2012 By: NHLiveFree

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,828 Points:1,637,220 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 20, 2012 2:56:55 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse we'll see how this sells. Seems the other two EVs are doing comparably well.
OWENALOTT Champion Author Appleton Posts:2,182 Points:500,095 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 10:09:56 PM Ignore OWENALOTT Report Abuse Ok
The_DR Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,925 Points:612,765 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 9:16:16 PM Ignore The_DR Report Abuse ok
teafortwo Champion Author Washington Posts:22,377 Points:1,412,040 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 3:38:21 PM Ignore teafortwo Report Abuse Cool tail lights ;0}
PerSonneL Champion Author Alberta Posts:1,188 Points:736,915 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 1:14:39 PM Ignore PerSonneL Report Abuse nice pun..
truvoice1 Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,408 Points:500,275 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 10:15:48 AM Ignore truvoice1 Report Abuse We'll have to wait and see. One things for sure, you're not going to see any Hollywood types or environmental wackos driving the electric Focus - it doesn't make enough of a 'statement' like the Prius or the Volt!
TruthMatters Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,586 Points:558,555 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 9:27:40 AM Ignore TruthMatters Report Abuse Marketing strategy to sell more cars
puinsai808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,703 Points:755,005 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 7:40:58 AM Ignore puinsai808 Report Abuse May prove to be a mis-step.
Norm10 Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,396 Points:165,955 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 7:24:21 AM Ignore Norm10 Report Abuse This could be the end for Ford - it looks like they are trying to follow GM's lead into bankruptcy. Ford should just say "no" to overpriced green status symbols.
fuel2use Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,615 Points:758,920 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 7:05:30 AM Ignore fuel2use Report Abuse Get you trailer with a generator.
Eugene_C Champion Author Columbus Posts:2,299 Points:155,995 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 6:50:32 AM Ignore Eugene_C Report Abuse The electric Focus costs as much as a Volt and has no gas back-up.
sjf238 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:1,215 Points:648,705 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 6:44:07 AM Ignore sjf238 Report Abuse Interesting.
A2J Champion Author Richmond Posts:3,210 Points:629,675 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 5:43:15 AM Ignore A2J Report Abuse FOCUS or Ford Focus ???
lcleveland Champion Author San Antonio Posts:2,756 Points:676,005 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 5:32:52 AM Ignore lcleveland Report Abuse ok
Travel1st Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:3,068 Points:496,635 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 5:07:29 AM Ignore Travel1st Report Abuse This should be interesting.
52MPG Champion Author Dayton Posts:7,402 Points:1,769,405 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:49:05 AM Ignore 52MPG Report Abuse 76 Miles is just to limited. How about unlimited miles with an on board magnetic generator.
bar1035 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:9,343 Points:1,325,920 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:48:05 AM Ignore bar1035 Report Abuse if ya can't brag about it why pay the premium
OldMan322 Champion Author Illinois Posts:5,287 Points:1,622,130 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:45:56 AM Ignore OldMan322 Report Abuse Only time will tell if Fords approach will work
stpetebp Champion Author Tampa Posts:6,368 Points:1,760,280 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:43:38 AM Ignore stpetebp Report Abuse Way to expensive
MustangGTConv Sophomore Author Virginia Posts:211 Points:70,875 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:40:50 AM Ignore MustangGTConv Report Abuse My commute is 32 miles each way. At a maximum range of 76 miles that doesn't leave me with much buffer room for errands, detours, or for when the battery has diminished capacity. Talk to me when you get 180+ miles on a charge.
gsofrs Champion Author Greensboro Posts:4,294 Points:1,242,990 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:40:31 AM Ignore gsofrs Report Abuse Continuous improvement is evident in fuel saving vehicles.
Wolfwings Champion Author Delaware Posts:8,881 Points:1,804,165 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:40:11 AM Ignore Wolfwings Report Abuse If I read this right, Ford may be trying to "FOCUS".
snarkysmarko Champion Author Baltimore Posts:3,089 Points:711,595 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:39:54 AM Ignore snarkysmarko Report Abuse I hope it's better than the volt.
gabisgram Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,326 Points:938,000 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:39:29 AM Ignore gabisgram Report Abuse Should say carbon-free emitting.
BartBuzz Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,025 Points:1,803,460 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:38:30 AM Ignore BartBuzz Report Abuse Ford is doing it the right way....without a government bailout. Go Ford!
SavALot Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:8,618 Points:1,739,185 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:38:25 AM Ignore SavALot Report Abuse I don't know if I'd go so far as to calling it a strategy
cherican Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,685 Points:1,084,110 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:38:16 AM Ignore cherican Report Abuse Good for Ford. Would be nice if they extended their electric lineup. [Edited by: cherican at 4/18/2012 7:42:01 AM EST]
drawee Champion Author Texas Posts:2,445 Points:475,760 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:37:02 AM Ignore drawee Report Abuse k
bozo Champion Author Boston Posts:4,690 Points:2,091,630 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:35:41 AM Ignore bozo Report Abuse pass.
calripken_8 Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,041 Points:686,890 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:35:19 AM Ignore calripken_8 Report Abuse A good step but still out of reach financially for most, and not enough range for many.
Heltonw Champion Author Montana Posts:3,451 Points:1,687,065 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:34:05 AM Ignore Heltonw Report Abuse I would like to drive 700 miles across Montana in one.
biza4u Champion Author New Haven Posts:8,664 Points:1,655,600 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:33:20 AM Ignore biza4u Report Abuse Ok
Skipper52 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:7,548 Points:1,619,435 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:32:47 AM Ignore Skipper52 Report Abuse It still needs a greater range and faster charge time.
rtw777 Champion Author Florida Posts:9,536 Points:1,869,695 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:32:44 AM Ignore rtw777 Report Abuse Electric cars are still not worth the trouble no matter who makes them.
JCUBE Champion Author Michigan Posts:8,726 Points:1,942,920 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:31:56 AM Ignore JCUBE Report Abuse Doesn't this poster EVER post anything gas price related?
my2002m Champion Author Tulsa Posts:6,213 Points:1,697,980 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:31:24 AM Ignore my2002m Report Abuse I'm not interested in buying an electric car. Too impractical for my usage.
jiml1965 Champion Author Harrisburg Posts:3,082 Points:704,675 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:30:51 AM Ignore jiml1965 Report Abuse good idea, wish they can boost the trip to 100 miles, then I would buy it
PADI Champion Author Ontario Posts:5,144 Points:1,261,870 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:30:48 AM Ignore PADI Report Abuse This may be a good idea for Ford, and I am a Ford person; however I don't think all the kinks have been ironed out of the electric cars, and I for one will not be buying an electric car yet.
TheSnowstorm Champion Author Montreal Posts:8,724 Points:1,939,905 Joined:June 2005	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:30:44 AM Ignore TheSnowstorm Report Abuse This is a great approach that FORD has taken. For those where the EV approach can work, this will probably be a viable alternative. The "green" aspect stops with the car, however. Unless the electricity to recharge the batteries come from a clean or renewable source, there is no green to be had. It is simply a transferring from one dirty source to another. The other caveat is that many vehicles can attain very respectable fuel economy at 1/3 less the initial cost outlay for the vehicle compared to an EV. This translates into a better return on investment.
viperND Champion Author South Bend Posts:3,457 Points:763,640 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:30:07 AM Ignore viperND Report Abuse :\|
Showmebuddy All-Star Author Missouri Posts:982 Points:877,435 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:29:57 AM Ignore Showmebuddy Report Abuse go ford!
Gearitis Champion Author Waco Posts:1,293 Points:752,110 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:29:52 AM Ignore Gearitis Report Abuse The electric car actually costs more in the long run.
BigDenOH Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,439 Points:597,050 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:29:34 AM Ignore BigDenOH Report Abuse I would think that the price tag is different also.
lbrinkmn Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,874 Points:1,864,440 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:29:33 AM Ignore lbrinkmn Report Abuse ok
blah2blah3 Champion Author Houston Posts:2,746 Points:628,570 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:28:53 AM Ignore blah2blah3 Report Abuse ok
Tanner_1 Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:1,544 Points:472,075 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:27:53 AM Ignore Tanner_1 Report Abuse Ford is demonstrating a little common sense. Good from the only company that did not take the government buyout.
thuathienhue Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,584 Points:659,915 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:25:23 AM Ignore thuathienhue Report Abuse No comment, remember to vote
afghaned Champion Author Hamilton Posts:11,985 Points:1,313,835 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:24:27 AM Ignore afghaned Report Abuse Good luck. These EVs are not for the majority of the car public.
ironbox_sara Champion Author Albany Posts:9,732 Points:2,266,455 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:22:22 AM Ignore ironbox_sara Report Abuse Don't forget your "Obama 2012" sticker on the back. Next to your rainbow sticker.
sljbc475 Champion Author Tucson Posts:4,360 Points:900,075 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 4:12:04 AM Ignore sljbc475 Report Abuse Maybe those Californians will buy them.