First Ford Focus Electric Dealers Now Certified

The Blue Oval’s first EV—the 2012 Ford Focus Electric—has edged yet a bit closer to reaching the marketplace, as Ford has now officially certified the first 67 dealers who will be able to sell the vehicle. The certification process was designed to ensure a smooth launch for what will be the most efficient five-seat car in America, and includes:

• In-depth training to learn about the unique characteristics of the Focus Electric and EVs in general
• At least two dealership charging stations, one in a customer area and one in the service area
• At least one Focus Electric demonstration vehicle for customers and local events
• Point-of-purchase displays to build awareness of the new vehicle

2012 Ford Focus Electric: The dealer commitment

In addition, certified Focus Electric dealers will need to show their overall commitment to energy efficiency by going through a Ford “Go Green” Dealer Onsite Facility Assessment. This comprehensive analysis of a dealership’s energy usage helps facilities identify areas in which they can save costs and reduce their carbon footprints.

The initial Focus Electric dealers are located in the car’s premiere launch markets in New York, New Jersey and California, and they’re expected to begin selling the vehicle this spring. Ford plans to expand sales to 19 total markets by this summer, then offer the Focus Electric nationally before the end of the year.

“The amount of hard work and resources dealers put into becoming certified really is a testament to how excited they are, how excited customers are and how excited we are about electric vehicles, starting with Focus Electric,” said David Gutman, Ford’s field operations manager.

Ford Focus Electric: Fast facts

 Here's a quick refresher course on what the Focus Electric will bring to customers:

• EPA Performance—The 2012 Ford Focus Electric is EPA rated to deliver 110 MPGe city/99 MPGe highway/105 MPGe combined, besting the smaller Nissan LEAF by 4 MPGe/7 MPGe/6 MPGe.
• All-electric Driving Range—76 miles without recharging; that’s “enough range to cover the majority of daily driving habits of Americans,” according to Ford.
• Charge Time—Ford’s new EV takes just 3 to 4 hours to a full charge with an available 240-volt home-charging unit; the LEAF can take twice that long to “refill.”
• Price—The Focus Electric stickers at $39,200 but qualifies for a $7,500 federal tax credit and a growing number of state and local incentives, too.
• Production—Made in America, the Focus Electric is built at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant, located in Wayne, Mich.