Ford is making NASCAR history with the announcement that the 2012 Ford Focus Electric will become the first all-electric pace car to ever lead the field for a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the Richmond 400. The Focus Electric will perform all pace care duties at Richmond International Raceway on April 28.
“Ford research shows the majority of Americans would consider buying an electrified vehicle but do not yet understand the different technologies,” said Mark Fields, president of The Americas. “Highlighting the Focus Electric as a pace car is a fun way to educate consumers about the kinds of benefits our electrified vehicles deliver and show people our commitment to provide Ford customers the power of choice for leading fuel economy in the vehicle that best meets their needs – from EcoBoost-powered gasoline vehicles and hybrids to plug-in hybrids and full electrics.”
The Focus Electric pace car isn’t the first time that Ford has made history at a NASCAR event. Back in 2008, Ford was the first to use a hybrid to start a NASCAR event when the Fusion Hybrid served as pace car for the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Ford was also the first automaker to compete with a four-door sedan as its flagship model in 1998. This past January, Ford became the first automaker to show off its 2013 NASCAR race car when it unveiled the new 2013 Fusion racer to media in Charlotte, N.C.
According to Ford, approximately 35 percent of new car intenders are motorsports fans and 78 percent of them support NASCAR. Additionally, Ford race fans are 67 percent more likely to consider Ford products than general market consumers.
“Our fans are customers,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing. “And just like in racing, they expect both fuel economy and performance from their daily drivers, and that’s what Ford is delivering.”
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