Ford Gives the Focus a Power Plug

DETROIT (WJBK) -- They're everywhere you look and in places you might not expect. Hybrids are generating plenty of hype at this year's auto show. It seems like everybody's got them, even luxury brands such as Lexus, BMW and Mercedes.

"I think it might reflect that hybrids are a little bit more realistic. They only make about two to three percent of the market now, and that's after ten years," explained Joe Wiesenfelder, executive editor of Cars.com.

He says he's noticing less of an emphasis on plug-in electrics, even though Ford is proudly rolling out its Ford Focus Electric made at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne.

"The fact of the matter is we don't really know how big the market is going to be for these vehicles," said Mark Fields with Ford President of the Americas. "Which ever way the market goes, we'll be able to flex our manufacturing."

"People want them, and on top of that, it's in the interest of the country to reduce our dependency on foreign oil," said Rep. John Dingell.

"Some people will want a plug-in electric car, but it's obviously not for everyone," Wiesenfelder said.

Plug-ins run on battery power alone, require no gas and produce zero emissions, but they're expensive -- $39,000 for the Chevy Volt, $36,000 for the Nissan Leaf and $39,000 for the Focus minus a $7,900 tax credit.

The Ford Focus Electric will be available in California, New York and New Jersey first this spring. People in Detroit will be able to buy them by mid-2012.

The car has another green touch. Recycled bottles were used to make the fabric for the seats. Just one more example of how automakers are investing in the environment and exploring new earth friendly technologies.

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