Ford isn't slated to introduce an electric powered Ford Focus until sometime in 2011, but in order to raise interest and public awareness, Ford is going to feature a prototype of the car on Jay Leno's new show.
On September 18th viewers will see Drew Barrymore race an all-electric Ford Focus on Jay Leno's new prime-time show on NBC. Over the next year celebrities will have the chance to race the Focus for the best lap time on the show. It's something similar to what Top Gear does.
Although car buyers can't go buy an electric powered Focus right now, Ford is hoping that this will show the public that electric cars can be exciting.
Nancy Gioia, director of hybrid vehicle programs for Ford stated, "It opens up the dialogue to the next step. Because if (electric cars are) only seen as quirky or off the beaten path, it's really hard to get people" excited.
The electric Ford Focus can travel up to 100 miles on a single charge.
Full Story: USA Today
Comments (6)
At least this isn't toted as another reality show :)
I would like to see a New York cab driver race on his show, too. Their talent in traffic is superb. Or maybe Barry Newman (Kowalski in Vanishing Point). Vin Diesel, too?
Posted by wvo | September 16, 2009 9:04 AM
Posted on September 16, 2009 09:04
I wish they'd just make an American version of Top Gear, with the Britsh hosts of course. Wasn't that already attempted?
Posted by l3admonky | September 16, 2009 11:55 AM
Posted on September 16, 2009 11:55
And that way they bring over some Euro cars and talk about how un-American they are. How refined everything is. Well except a TVR, we'd actually buy those in America....
Something tells me the electric Focus isn't going to be no Tesla... It'd be cool to see it compete against a Prius or pre-release Volt..
Posted by Brian | September 16, 2009 1:55 PM
Posted on September 16, 2009 13:55
The only way IMHO Ford could be successful with electric (or hybrid) current model of Focus is if they'd position it cheaper than any other electric (or hybrid) vehicle on US market today.
Posted by DuDe | September 16, 2009 3:28 PM
Posted on September 16, 2009 15:28
I like how NBC is too stupid to actually try an American version of the most viewed english language show in the world, but Jay Leno is willing to put his money where his mouth is. I signed up for NBC's surveys,just so I could tell them how stupid they were for not trying Topgear USA and they quit sending them to me because they apparently didn't like my answers! THAT's why American TV sux so badly.
Posted by Utaka | September 16, 2009 4:49 PM
Posted on September 16, 2009 16:49
@Utaka
Opinions aside, why don't you travel the world and see what is offered for tv programs, American TV shows and movies dominate the global markets. If there's anything the world seems to approve of (coming from the US) it's the entertainment we produce. I also don't know where you pulled your stat of "most watched" from, while it could be true, I'm guessing it is a self serving set of data intended to fool those with weak comprehensive reading skills. The show is for car enthusiasts, not the masses.
Posted by thetruth | September 17, 2009 5:57 AM
Posted on September 17, 2009 05:57