Production of the new generation of Ford Focus models got underway today at the Ford plant in Saarlouis. The first car in the new series was driven off the production line by Joachim Rippel, Saarland Minister for Economic Affairs.
Previewed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September, the new Ford Focus will go on sale across Europe from early 2008.
The new Ford Focus has not only been given a completely new look, but it has also been significantly improved in terms of interior design and craftsmanship.
The new Focus will also be the first model of the new Ford ECOnetic line of ultra-low CO2 emission vehicles, and promises to deliver best-in-class CO2 emissions for conventional powertrain technology at just 115g/km.
With more than five million examples produced in Europe since it was launched in 1998, the Ford Focus is the first and - to date - the only car in the world to be acclaimed "Car of the Year" both in Europe and in North America in the same year.
In total the Ford Focus has won over 80 awards in Europe alone. It has significantly influenced the automotive world and at the same time triggered a successful new direction for Ford in Europe.
