And You Thought The Ford Focus Titanium Was Expensive

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

Did you think $27k was a steep ask for a non-premium-brand compact car? How does a $40k Focus grab you? That’s a good four grand over what Nissan wants for a Leaf (and about $2k more than a loaded Leaf), and about $12k more than the Mitsubishi i (all before available tax credits). On the other hand, we don’t yet know if Ford can claim an EPA-certified range advantage over the Leaf (both Ford and Nissan initially claimed 100 miles, but the EPA dropped the Leaf to 73 miles). In any case, if you want the most expensive Focus ever built, or the first Blue Oval-badged plug-in, Ford’s started taking reservations online… but like any good insanely-expensive-for-what-it-is product, you need more than money to bring home an Electric Focus. Specifically, a little patience and an address in one of the following communities:

Atlanta, Houston, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, New York City, Orlando, Florida,Phoenix, Tucson, Portland (OR), Raleigh-Durham, Richmond, Virginia, Seattle, or Washington, D.C.

But only California and New York will get a Focus EV this year… the rest will be waiting until Q2 of next year. And the remainder of the US market could be waiting even longer, as Ford has not yet announced a full rollout date. But then, a little exclusivity never hurts when you get above the $40k price point.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • PrincipalDan PrincipalDan on Nov 02, 2011

    This actually in a strange way makes the well optioned hatchback gas version with a 5 speed manual MORE attractive to me.

  • Dwford Dwford on Nov 03, 2011

    What Ford is missing is that the eco-weenies that buy these cars want the car to look very different than a regular car. A little "ev" badge and a different grill isn't going to cut it.

  • Carbiz Carbiz on Nov 03, 2011

    How about paying R160,000 for a new Camaro SS? (That's about $94,000 at today's exchange rate.) Whilst killing 4 hours at Guarhulous Airport in Sao Paulo last February (a tropical front parked right on the airport and I've never seen such rain!) I happened by a Chevrolet display. The requisite stunning model actually knew a thing or two about the car and seemed genuinely pleased to meet someone who has been to the factory where they are built. But the price!!! OMG. Still, I saw 2 of them in Camboriu, in southern Brazil. Holy import tax, Batman! And Canadians bitch about the price difference of vehicles between the U.S. and here! Ha!

  • Redav Redav on Nov 03, 2011

    I was actually considering an eFocus. I was hoping they'd compete with the Leaf on price (but expected them to split the difference between the Leaf & Volt). That way, with the govt $7500 subsidy, it would just be crazy & not crazy-stupid. However, since it's priced the same as the Volt, I just don't see it working. It seems Ford is trying to recoup much of the electric's costs by forcing you to buy all their high-margin gadgets (a Ti-level trim + nav & premium package). I can't say that's a bad move, but IMO, they've just priced themselves out of the market. Also, as opposed to the Leaf, Ford didn't locate all the batteries below the floor, so much of the hatch volume is full. That not only makes it pointless as a hatch, but also raises its center of gravity. Also, I've very disappointed in the color options.

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