Ford Equator and Focus Vignale Concept at Tokyo 2005

Press Release

Joining New Ford Focus and Explorer

Ford Motor Company announced today that a world premier concept - the Ford Equator - will join the all-new Focus and Explorer at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show.

The new Focus was launched in Japan in early September and the updated and more-efficient Explorer will be introduced in Japan in the fourth quarter of 2005. And while those vehicles showcase what is available to consumers today, other vehicles hint at the future. Key concepts scheduled to appear at the 2005 Tokyo show include the Ford Equator, which will be making its world debut, and the Ford Focus Vignale, a two-door convertible concept featuring a retractable hard top. The Focus Vignale concept is one of many Focus models scheduled to be on display at the show - a collection of vehicles that show the breadth of the entire Focus family of vehicles available around the world.

In all, the featured Ford vehicles at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show include:

Equator Show Vehicle

Developed and built in the region, Equator is an evolutionary advancement to the combination of performance, design and sports capabilities that characterize all Ford SUVs. The concept's premium exterior and interior designs present a fresh and exciting look at what is one of the most popular and enduring SUV profiles. Powered by a 3.0-liter V6 Duratech engine complimented by a computer-controlled intelligent 4WD system, Equator delivers high performance regardless of whether it's on road or off. Large enough to comfortably carry passengers and cargo alike, Equator is the right size for many market in the region - it offer an ideal balance of premium comfort, maneuverability for in-city driving and overall efficiency.

Focus Vignale Concept

First shown at the 2004 Paris Auto Show, the Vignale concept will make its local debut at the 2005 Tokyo show. The two-door, hard-top convertible with a power-retractable roof presents an emotional design worthy of its historic name. The Focus Vignale model name originates with Alfredo Vignale, the Italian designer active in the 1950s and 1960s. The Focus Vignale concept offers a fresh look at a critically important - and recently launched - model for Ford in the ultra-competitive Japanese market: the Focus.

Focus

With a dynamic driving design and an abundant sense of openness in the cabin, the all-new Focus is a centrally important part of Ford's growth in Japan and reinforces the European flavor of Ford's line of cars in Japan. The most-highly evolved Focus ever and representing a great value in the marketplace, the new four-door is a crystallization of a thorough and minute understanding of how cars drive, and it is appropriate to say the new Focus brand has been built on this knowledge. With the world's highest safety standards firmly in hand, the new Focus is among the finest cars in the segment, not only in Japan, but in all markets.

Focus ST

The new Focus ST: a model much anticipated by enthusiasts everywhere. What distinguishes it most from the previous ST model is that it was developed by TeamRS, a group of European-based engineers with unsurpassed technological prowess and a passion for motor sports. Featuring a turbocharged Duratech ST 2.5-liter engine and a six-speed manual transmission, the Focus ST boasts a top speed of 240km/h and capability of 0-100km/h in just 6.8 seconds.

Focus C-Max

Launched in Europe during the summer of 2003, the C-Max is making its local debut at the Tokyo show. The Focus C-MAX combines the superb driving performance of the Focus with even greater attention to cabin quality and comfort. The name pays homage to the three “Cs” of automotive excellence: maximum Comfort, maximum Confidence and maximum Control. And the appropriateness of the name is immediately evident throughout the C-MAX cabin. This smooth, stylish form is complimented by a highly rigid body and chassis dynamics that provide an overall sense of directness. The Focus C-MAX is a significant and successful product in Europe and is being shown in Japan to demonstrate the breadth and capability of the Focus line.

Focus WRC Concept

Together with F1 competition, the World Rally Championship (WRC) is considered by many to be the pinnacle of motor sports. And Ford has established a track record in this field that includes numerous victories. In fact, the Blue Oval team has scored points in 56 consecutive WRC events, a record dating back to the Monte Carlo Rally in January 2002. No other manufacturer can lay claim to such a feat in the sport's history. Beginning in 2006, Ford plans to enter the series with the much anticipated Ford Focus WRC, based on the newest Focus model.

Explorer

A benchmark product in the evolving SUV segment, the Explorer has topped the U.S. sales charts in its segment for 14 years running. The new Explorer, to be launched in Japan in the fourth quarter of 2005, features major improvements in all aspects of performance, with a stronger presence and even better driving and safety performance than previous models. The new Explorer’s driving represents an evolutionary step forward: the new 4.6-liter V8 engine features a three-valve configuration delivering improved throttle response and providing 292ps. With a six-speed automatic transmission, this gives the new Explorer superior performance in any driving situation, as well as excellent fuel economy.

Mondeo

As the flagship model for Ford's European vehicle line, the Mondeo has earned an excellent reputation worldwide. Since the new Mondeo debuted in Japan, it has fulfilled customer expectations through a natural evolution toward even greater improvements in its most distinctive characteristic: driving quality. Other points of interest for customers are the modern, clean design and major improvements in quality feel. In particular, the use of chrome for both exterior and interior appointments adds crucial decorative touches that give the new Mondeo a more stylish, substantial presence.