H Ford είχε κέρδη 8.8 δις το 2011 – Ντεμπούτο για το Focus ST-R [w/video]

Η Ford ανακοίνωσε τα οικονομικά της στοιχεία για το 2011 όπου τα λειτουργικά της κέρδη προ φόρων, έφτασαν τα 8.8 δις δολάρια ή 1.51$ δολάρια ανά μετοχή, αύξηση 463 εκατ. δολαρίων από το 2010. Τα έσοδα άγγιξαν τα 20.2 δις δολάρια, αύξηση 13.7 δις από το 2010, ενώ τα καθαρά κέρδη ανήλθαν σε 6.3 δις δολάρια, αύξηση κατά 1 δις από το 2010. Αναλυτικά τα στατιστικά της Ford μπορείς να βρεις σε αυτά τα δύο pdf [1], [2].

Επίσης, το αγωνιστικό Focus ST-R θα κάνει αγωνιστικό ντεμπούτο στον αγώνα Grand-Am που θα γίνει το Σαββατοκύριακο στην πίστα Daytona International Speedway. Το πρώτο παγκόμσιο αγωνιστικό της Ford, κοστίζει $98.995 και μηχανικά φορά τον 2.0-λίτρων κινητήρα EcoBoost ο οποίος φορά αγωνιστική εξάτμιση και επαναπρογραμματισμένη ECU και συνδυάζεται με ένα αγωνιστικό 6-τάχυτο χειροκίνητο κιβώτιο της Ford Racing και θα τρέχει στα πρωταθλήματα Grand-Am ST, World Challenge TC της Αμερικής και Series Touring Car του Καναδά.

Η Ford ελπίζει ότι θα το δει να τρέχει και σε σειρά ευρωπαϊκών αγώνων καθώς στον 24-ωρο του Nurburgring. Διαθέτει αγωνιστική ανάρτηση, μεγαλύτερα φρένα, μπλοκέ διαφορικό περιορισμένης ολίσθησης, ζάντες 18″ της BBS με αγωνιστικά ελαστικά της Hoosier, Recaro κάθισμα, roll cage εγκεκριμένο από την FIA, και AIM σύστημα συλλογής δεδομένων.

[Πηγή: Ford]

[learn_more caption=”Δελτίο Τύπου”]

FORD POSTS 2011 PRE-TAX OPERATING PROFIT OF $8.8 BILLION; ONE-TIME SPECIAL ITEMS CONTRIBUTE TO $20.2 BILLION NET INCOME+

• Full year pre-tax operating profit was $8.8 billion, or $1.51 per share, an increase of $463 million from a year ago
• Full year net income was $20.2 billion, or $4.94 per share, an increase of $13.7 billion, or $3.28 per share, from a year ago. Net income includes a favorable one-time, non-cash special item of $12.4 billion from release of almost all of the valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets in the fourth quarter
• Fourth quarter pre-tax operating profit was $1.1 billion, or 20 cents per share, a decrease of $189 million from fourth quarter 2010. Ford has posted a pre-tax operating profit for 10 consecutive quarters
• Fourth quarter net income was $13.6 billion, or $3.40 per share, a $13.4 billion increase from fourth quarter 2010. As noted, one-time special items positively affected net income
• Automotive pre-tax operating profit was $586 million for the fourth quarter and $6.3 billion for the full year, an increase of $1 billion from full year 2010
• Ford Credit reported a pre-tax operating profit of $506 million for the fourth quarter and $2.4 billion for the full year, a decrease of $650 million from full year 2010
• Revenue was $34.6 billion in the fourth quarter and $136.3 billion for the full year, an increase of $15.4 billion from full year 2010
• Ford generated positive Automotive operating-related cash flow of $700 million in the fourth quarter and $5.6 billion for the full year. Ford ended 2011 with Automotive gross cash of $22.9 billion
• Automotive debt was $13.1 billion as of Dec. 31, 2011, a reduction of $6 billion for the year
• Automotive gross cash exceeded debt by $9.8 billion, an improvement of $8.4 billion for the year
• Ford ended 2011 with $32.4 billion in total Automotive liquidity
• Ford is well on track to achieve the goals in its mid-decade outlook

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 27, 2012 – Ford Motor Company [NYSE: F] today reported 2011 full year pre-tax operating profit of $8.8 billion, an increase of $463 million from a year ago, as strong performance in North America and Ford Credit offset challenges in other parts of the world. This marks the company’s third year in a row of improving annual operating profits.

“We delivered strong results for the full year as we continued to serve our customers around the world with best-in-class vehicles and make progress toward our mid-decade goals,” said Alan Mulally, Ford president and CEO. “Despite the continued uncertainty in the external environment, the strength of our North American and Ford Credit operations allows us to continue to invest for future growth and develop outstanding products with segment-leading quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value.”

Full year 2011 net income was $20.2 billion, or $4.94 per share, an increase of $13.7 billion, or $3.28 per share, from a year ago. The results include a favorable one-time, non-cash special item of $12.4 billion for the release of almost all of the valuation allowance against the company’s net deferred tax assets.

Fourth quarter 2011 pre-tax operating profit was $1.1 billion, or 20 cents per share, a decrease of $189 million from fourth quarter 2010. Ford has now posted 10 consecutive quarters of pre-tax operating profit, as the company benefited from strong volume and revenue across its global product line.

Ford reported fourth quarter net income of $13.6 billion, or $3.40 per share, an increase of $13.4 billion, or $3.35 per share, from the fourth quarter of 2010. This includes the favorable impact related to releasing $12.4 billion of the valuation allowance. Ford began to record a valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets in the third quarter of 2006, reflecting large cumulative losses incurred, as well as its financial outlook at the time. Consistent delivery over the past few years of strong improvement in the company’s business results now supports the release of almost all of the valuation allowance.

Fourth quarter net income also was affected by a favorable special item of $401 million related to the sale of Ford’s Russian operations to the newly created FordSollers joint venture, which began operations on Oct. 1, 2011.

As a result of Ford’s 2011 financial performance, Ford will make profit sharing payments to approximately 41,600 eligible U.S. hourly employees. In accordance with the formula in the UAW-Ford collective bargaining agreement, Ford’s North American pre-tax profits of $6.2 billion will generate approximately $6,200 per eligible employee on a full year basis. Based on first-half 2011 results, the formula generated approximately $3,750 per employee, which was distributed in December 2011. For the second half of 2011, the formula generated approximately $2,450 per employee, which is planned to be distributed in March. Individual profit sharing payments will be higher or lower based on employee compensated hours.

Ford generated positive Automotive operating-related cash flow of $700 million in the fourth quarter and $5.6 billion in the full year, an improvement of $1.2 billion from full year 2010.

Ford finished the year with Automotive gross cash of $22.9 billion, compared with Automotive gross cash of $20.8 billion as of Sept. 30, 2011, and $20.5 billion as of Dec. 31, 2010. Ford had total Automotive debt of $13.1 billion as of Dec. 31, 2011, compared with total Automotive debt of $12.7 billion as of Sept. 30, 2011, and $19.1 billion as of Dec. 31, 2010. Total Automotive liquidity at year end 2011 was $32.4 billion, including all available credit lines.

As part of Ford’s long-term strategy to reduce risk in its funded pension plans, the company expects to make cash contributions to its funded pension plans in 2012 of about $3.5 billion globally, including discretionary contributions to its U.S. plans of about $2 billion.

“2011 marked a milestone year in our work to strengthen our balance sheet. We increased Automotive cash, reduced debt and improved liquidity, clearing the way for us to resume paying a quarterly dividend,” said Lewis Booth, Ford executive vice president and chief financial officer. “We are building on this strong foundation in 2012 and taking actions when appropriate to strengthen further our balance sheet.”

FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2011 HIGHLIGHTS

• Continued product momentum — launched all-new global Ranger; launched 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine; and debuted all-new Escape
• Third consecutive year of higher U.S. market share and three-point share gain over the period for Ford brand; higher share in Asia Pacific Africa; three consecutive quarters of year-over-year share gains in Europe
• Improved U.S. competitiveness with four-year agreement with UAW
• Announced 2011 profit sharing and resumption of quarterly dividends
• Two consecutive years of more than $8 billion in pre-tax operating profits and third consecutive year of improved annual profits
• Automotive debt reduced by $6 billion; year end Automotive cash net of debt increased by $8.4 billion to $9.8 billion
• Broke ground on four new assembly and powertrain plants in Asia Pacific Africa region, and launched FordSollers joint venture in Russia

AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR

Total Automotive pre-tax operating profit in the fourth quarter was $586 million, a decrease of $155 million from fourth quarter 2010. The decrease is explained by higher costs, including higher commodity costs, higher compensation costs in North America related to the new UAW agreement (including the one-time ratification bonus), and unfavorable exchange rates. This was offset partially by favorable net pricing and volume and mix.

Full year pre-tax operating profit was $6.3 billion, an improvement of $1 billion. Strong performance in North America and a solid profit in South America offset performance in Asia Pacific Africa and Europe.

Total vehicle wholesales in the fourth quarter were 1.4 million units, up 38,000 units from fourth quarter 2010. Higher wholesales in North America were offset by lower wholesales in South America, Europe and Asia Pacific Africa. Full year wholesales were 5.7 million units, an increase of 382,000 units.

Total Automotive revenue in the fourth quarter was $32.6 billion, up $2.3 billion from fourth quarter 2010. Full year Automotive revenue was $128.2 billion, up $17 billion from a year ago.

North America: In the fourth quarter, North America reported a pre-tax operating profit of $889 million, compared with a profit of $670 million a year ago. The pre-tax operating margin also improved to 4.5 percent from 3.9 percent a year ago. The increase in profits is explained by higher volume and mix and net pricing, offset partially by increased costs, including higher commodity and warranty and freight costs. Wholesales in the fourth quarter were 693,000 units, up 78,000 units from a year ago. Revenue in the fourth quarter was $19.6 billion, up $2.4 billion from a year ago.

For the full year, North America reported a pre-tax operating profit of $6.2 billion, compared with a profit of $5.4 billion a year ago.

South America: In the fourth quarter, South America reported a pre-tax operating profit of $108 million, compared with a profit of $281 million a year ago. The decrease is explained primarily by unfavorable exchange and higher costs, with essentially all of the total cost increase driven by higher commodity costs. Wholesales in the fourth quarter were 124,000 units, down 18,000 units from a year ago. Revenue in the fourth quarter was $2.8 billion, unchanged from a year ago.

For the full year, South America reported a pre-tax operating profit of $861 million, compared with a profit of $1 billion a year ago.

Europe: In the fourth quarter, Europe reported a pre-tax operating loss of $190 million, compared with a loss of $51 million a year ago. The decrease is primarily explained by higher material costs, about half of which are due to higher commodity costs, and lower subsidiary profits. This was offset partially by favorable volume and mix, structural cost improvements, and favorable net pricing. Wholesales in the fourth quarter were 391,000 units, down 6,000 units from a year ago. Revenue in the fourth quarter, which excludes sales at unconsolidated joint ventures, was $8.3 billion, up $200 million from a year ago.

For the full year, Europe reported a pre-tax operating loss of $27 million, compared with a profit of $182 million a year ago.

Asia Pacific Africa: In the fourth quarter, Asia Pacific Africa reported a pre-tax operating loss of
$83 million, compared with a profit of $23 million a year ago. The decline reflects unfavorable volume and mix from the impact of the Thailand flooding, as well as higher costs associated with new products and investments for future growth. These were offset partially by higher net pricing. Wholesales in the fourth quarter were 219,000 units, down 16,000 units from a year ago. The company estimates the production impact from Thailand flooding was approximately 34,000 units. Revenue in the fourth quarter, which excludes sales at unconsolidated joint ventures, was $1.9 billion, down $300 million from a year ago.

For the full year, Asia Pacific Africa reported a pre-tax operating loss of $92 million, compared with a profit of $189 million a year ago.

Other Automotive: In the fourth quarter, Other Automotive reported a loss of $138 million, compared with a loss of $182 million a year ago. The loss mainly reflects net interest expense.

For the full year, Other Automotive reported a loss of $601 million, compared with a loss of $1.5 billion a year ago.

FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR

For the fourth quarter, the Financial Services sector reported a pre-tax operating profit of $518 million, compared with a profit of $552 million a year ago.

Ford Motor Credit Company: In the fourth quarter, Ford Credit reported a pre-tax operating profit of $506 million, compared with a profit of $572 million a year ago. The decrease, which is in line with expectations, is more than explained by fewer leases being terminated and the related vehicles sold at a gain.

For the full year, Ford Credit reported a pre-tax operating profit of $2.4 billion, compared with a profit of $3.1 billion a year ago.

OUTLOOK 2012
Ford remains focused on delivering the key aspects of the One Ford plan, which are unchanged:

• Aggressively restructuring to operate profitably at the current demand and changing model mix
• Accelerating the development of new products that customers want and value
• Financing the plan and improving the balance sheet
• Working together effectively as one team, leveraging Ford’s global assets

Ford made major progress under the One Ford plan in 2011 and is well on track to achieve the goals in its mid-decade outlook. The company launched new global vehicles, including the Focus and Ranger, and continued to expand its production facilities in global growth markets such as China, India and Russia.

Product momentum will continue in 2012 with the global introduction of the new Fusion and Lincoln MKZ – the first vehicles from the company’s new global CD platform. In the C-segment, Ford continues to roll out the Focus and will launch the new Escape and Kuga. The B-segment portfolio also is expanding with the B-MAX in Europe and the EcoSport in global markets. Ranger will be launched in additional global markets throughout the year. Ford also is continuing the global expansion of its fuel-efficient EcoBoost™ engines. This includes North America, where the company is tripling the production capacity of EcoBoost-equipped Ford vehicles.

Ford expects U.S. full year industry volume to be in the range of 13.5 million to 14.5 million vehicles. The company expects European full year industry sales in the 19 markets Ford tracks to be in the range of 14 million to 15 million. Both estimates include medium and heavy trucks.

The company expects its full year market share in the U.S. and Europe to be about equal compared to 2011. Ford’s market share in 2011 was 16.5 percent in the U.S. and 8.3 percent in Europe.

Ford expects to deliver year-over-year improvements in quality.

The company also is releasing its key metrics for financial performance in 2012. Ford expects Automotive pre-tax operating profit to improve from 2011. Ford Credit is expected to be solidly profitable, although at a lower level than 2011. Total company pre-tax operating profit is expected to be about equal to 2011. Automotive structural costs are expected to increase by less than $2 billion to support higher volumes, new product launches and global growth plans. Although the company expects an increase in commodity costs, the increase is not expected to be material. Automotive operating margin is expected to improve from 2011.

Ford expects capital expenditures in 2012 to be $5.5 billion to $6 billion as it continues to invest in product and growth plans.

“We are making consistent progress on our commitment to deliver great products, invest for global growth, build a strong business and provide profitable growth for all,” said Mulally. “We recognize we have challenges and opportunities ahead. We are excited about realizing the full potential of the global scale and operating margin benefits inherent in our One Ford plan. We also are excited about what leveraging our global assets ultimately will deliver for everyone associated with our business.”

Ford’s planning assumptions and key metrics, and near-term production volumes are shown below:

+ The financial results discussed herein are presented on a preliminary basis; final data will be included in Ford’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011. The following information applies to the information throughout this release:

• Pre-tax operating results exclude special items unless otherwise noted.
• See tables following the “Safe Harbor/Risk Factors” for the nature and amount of special items, and reconciliation of items designated as “excluding special items” to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Also see the tables for reconciliation to GAAP of Automotive gross cash and operating-related cash flow.
• Discussion of overall Automotive cost changes is measured primarily at present-year exchange and excludes special items and discontinued operations; in addition, costs that vary directly with production volume, such as material, freight, and warranty costs, are measured at present-year volume and mix.
• As a result of the sale of Volvo, 2010 results for Volvo were reported as special items and excluded from wholesales, revenue and operating results.
• Wholesale unit sales and production volumes include the sale or production of Ford-brand and JMC-brand vehicles by unconsolidated affiliates. JMC refers to our Chinese joint venture, Jiangling Motors Corporation. See materials supporting the Jan. 27, 2012 conference calls at www.shareholder.ford.com for further discussion of wholesale unit volumes.

++ Excludes special items.
+++ Excludes special items and “Income/(Loss) attributable to non-controlling interests.” See tables following “Safe Harbor/Risk Factors” for the nature and amount of these special items and reconciliation to GAAP.

Safe Harbor/Risk Factors

Statements included herein may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations, forecasts, and assumptions by our management and involve a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated, including, without limitation:

• Decline in industry sales volume, particularly in the United States or Europe, due to financial crisis, recession, geo-political events, or other factors;
• Decline in market share or failure to achieve growth;
• Lower-than-anticipated market acceptance of new or existing products;
• An increase in or acceleration of market shift beyond our current planning assumptions from sales of trucks, medium- and large-sized utilities, or other more profitable vehicles, particularly in the United States;
• An increase in fuel prices, continued volatility of fuel prices, or reduced availability of fuel;
• Continued or increased price competition resulting from industry overcapacity, currency fluctuations, or other factors;
• Adverse effects from the bankruptcy, insolvency, or government-funded restructuring of, change in ownership or control of, or alliances entered into by a major competitor;
• Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, and interest rates;
• Economic distress of suppliers that may require us to provide substantial financial support or take other measures to ensure supplies of components and could increase our costs, affect our liquidity, or cause production constraints or disruptions;
• Single-source supply of components or materials;
• Labor or other constraints on our ability to maintain competitive cost structure;
• Work stoppages at Ford or supplier facilities or other interruptions of production;
• Substantial pension and postretirement health care and life insurance liabilities impairing our liquidity or financial condition;
• Worse-than-assumed economic and demographic experience for our postretirement benefit plans (e.g., discount rates or investment returns);
• Restriction on use of tax attributes from tax law “ownership change;”
• The discovery of defects in vehicles resulting in delays in new model launches, recall campaigns, reputational damage, or increased warranty costs;
• Increased safety, emissions, fuel economy, or other regulation resulting in higher costs, cash expenditures, and/or sales restrictions;
• Unusual or significant litigation, governmental investigations or adverse publicity arising out of alleged defects in our products, perceived environmental impacts, or otherwise;
• A change in our requirements for parts where we have long-term supply arrangements committing us to purchase minimum or fixed quantities of certain parts, or to pay a minimum amount to the seller (“take-or-pay” contracts);
• Adverse effects on our results from a decrease in or cessation or clawback of government incentives related to investments;
• Adverse effects on our operations resulting from certain geo-political or other events;
• Inherent limitations of internal controls impacting financial statements and safeguarding of assets;
• Substantial levels of Automotive indebtedness adversely affecting our financial condition or preventing us from fulfilling our debt obligations;
• Failure of financial institutions to fulfill commitments under committed credit facilities;
• Inability of Ford Credit to access debt, securitization, or derivative markets around the world at competitive rates or in sufficient amounts due to credit rating downgrades, market volatility, market disruption, regulatory requirements, or other factors;
• Higher-than-expected credit losses;
• Increased competition from banks or other financial institutions seeking to increase their share of financing Ford vehicles;
• Collection and servicing problems related to finance receivables and net investment in operating leases;
• Lower-than-anticipated residual values or higher-than-expected return volumes for leased vehicles;
• Imposition of additional costs or restrictions due to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Act”) and its implementing rules and regulations;
• New or increased credit, consumer, or data protection or other regulations resulting in higher costs and/or additional financing restrictions; and
• Inability of Ford Credit to obtain competitive funding.

Ford cannot be certain that any expectation, forecast, or assumption made in preparing forward-looking statements will prove accurate, or that any projection will be realized. It is to be expected that there may be differences between projected and actual results. Ford’s forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of initial issuance, and Ford does not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For additional discussion of these risks, see “Item 1A . Risk Factors” of Ford’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS

Ford Motor Company [NYSE:F] releases its preliminary fourth quarter 2011 financial results at 7 a.m. EST today. The following briefings will be conducted after the announcement:

At 9 a.m. EST, Alan Mulally, Ford president and CEO, and Lewis Booth, Ford executive vice president and chief financial officer, will host a conference call for the investment community and news media to discuss the 2011 fourth quarter.

At 11 a.m. EST, Bob Shanks, Ford vice president and controller, Neil Schloss, Ford vice president and treasurer, and Mike Seneski, chief financial officer, Ford Motor Credit Company, will host a conference call for fixed income analysts and investors.

Ford Racing’s Focus ST-R Ready for Competition Debut at Daytona International Speedway in the Grand-Am 200

• Ford Racing Focus ST-R will make its competition debut this Friday afternoon running the Grand-Am 200 in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge ST class as part of the Grand-Am weekend at Daytona International Speedway

• Despite its close resemblance to the Focus ST road car, the Focus ST-R is purpose-built for the track by Ford Racing in North America as a fully prepared competition car. It features a powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost^™ engine, FIA-regulation roll cage, uprated brakes and track-tuned suspension

• Focus ST-R is the first global vehicle to join the turnkey race car family, which includes theMustang FR500C, Mustang FR500S, Mustang Cobra Jet, Boss 302R and Boss 302S

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 25, 2012 – Ford Racing’s Focus ST-R will make its competition debut this Friday afternoon in the Grand-Am 200 at Daytona International Speedway in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge as part of the ST field during the Grand-Am weekend.

After nearly a year in development and countless tests, the newest offering in the line of Ford Racing turnkey race cars is ready to make its competition debut.

“The competition debut of all our FR family of turnkey ready-to-race cars has not been the completion of the journey but the transition to a new phase of the development process,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing. “Our partnership with Multimatic Motorsports has led to past success with the FR500C and the Boss 302R and their contribution to the product that will take the track at Daytona later this week has been critical.”

“Having delivered the successful Mustang FR500C and Boss 302R production-based race cars, we have a well-established process with how to develop such cars with Ford Racing. We employ the same approach for each – we start with the production car and go through each subsystem on the car and change what is needed (and allowed) to provide a competitive race car,” said Larry Holt, team principal, Multimatic Motorsports. “Really, the direction from Ford is that this car should be as close to the production car as it can be. Ford really wants to show that the Focus ST is a capable performance car.”

Focus ST-R is the first global vehicle to join the turnkey race car family, which includes theMustang FR500C, Mustang FR500S, Mustang Cobra Jet, Boss 302R and Boss 302S.

Focus ST-R to compete across several series
Don’t be fooled by its close resemblance to the Focus ST road car, which is intentional. The Focus ST-R is purpose-built for the track by Ford Racing in North America as a fully prepared competition car. It features a powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost^™ engine, FIA-regulation roll cage, uprated brakes and track-tuned suspension.

The all-new Focus ST-R has been crafted by engineers at Ford Racing – with technical support from Ford’s Global Performance Vehicles group – to allow it to compete in a huge variety of series, including Grand-Am ST, World Challenge TC and Canadian Touring Car Series. Ford also hopes teams will race the car in key European motorsport series and major national events such as the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

Its linkage to the new Focus ST road car is no accident.

“From the beginning, the Focus and new Focus ST were designed to be drivers’ cars,” said Jost Capito, director of Global Performance Vehicles and Motorsport Business Development. “The road-going Focus features best-in-class brakes, handling and powertrains and the design and functionality of the various vehicle systems have helped us to develop a global technical specification for teams wanting to race the new Focus cost effectively. Ford Racing in North America has taken this effort and developed the new Focus ST-R. It is a perfect example of how a great production car inspires a competitive race car for enthusiasts.”

Initially targeted for homologation for American and Canadian touring car racing, Focus ST-R will be available to order from Ford dealers in North America by seasoned hardcore professional drivers, amateur racers and track-day enthusiasts as well. Ford’s vision is to broaden availability to additional regions in the future.

“We’re thrilled to be taking the Focus ST-R from concept to reality for motorsport enthusiasts initially in North America and potentially around the world,” said Allison. “The previous turnkey race cars we developed for North American racing have been hugely successful, so we are hopeful the ST-R will be the first such vehicle for global series and as a direct result of the company’s global platform strategy and our technical support program for motorsport applications of Focus and Fiesta models.

“This is a competitive turnkey race car that will allow our customers to compete successfully in multiple series around the world with minor modifications. And it shows the ongoing alignment of Ford Racing with our Performance Vehicles development group.

“Because the Focus ST-R is a production-based road race car, it features stock body panels and production parts where possible,” Allison added. “People who buy one will get a fully prepared race car that will only need communications equipment and the customer’s decals to go racing. Because of this, we’ve already had significant interest in this vehicle from numerous established race teams.”

For North American customers, the Ford Focus ST-R is the latest in a long line of turnkey race cars offered by the company including the Mustang FR500C, Mustang FR500S, Mustang Cobra Jet, Boss 302R and Boss 302S. The ST-R offers clear links to the Focus ST road car.

Development work on Focus ST-R will also result in a range of Ford Racing parts to be made available to racers and enthusiasts around the world.

Performance for the road or the track
Focus ST is powered by the 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost engine, which offers an uncompromising mix of performance and efficiency. Ford’s lightweight, all-aluminum EcoBoost engine provides the power of a larger engine in a fuel-efficient smaller displacement using three key technologies.

High-pressure direct injection, low-inertia turbocharging and twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) all help to create an advanced combustion system that brings new levels of performance and fuel efficiency to Ford’s gasoline engines.

Ford’s Global Performance Vehicles group has taken this technology and developed an estimated 250-horsepower high-output derivative of the 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost engine for Focus ST.

Redesigned intake and exhaust systems with unique engine calibration deliver the ideal level of power and responsiveness.

The engine has strong torque levels in a broad, flat torque curve peaking at a projected 265 lb.-ft. The responsive torque output, a trademark of EcoBoost engines, is maintained despite the impressive peak figures.

Mated to the engine is a six-speed manual transmission, which has specially revised gearing to produce the maximum punch from each throw of the gearshift. The Global Performance Vehicles group paid significant attention to detail to ensure the ratio of sixth gear was perfectly in tune with the Focus ST, giving the driver optimum performance while remaining long enough to help maintain excellent fuel economy on longer runs.

Focus prominent in motorsports strategy
Focus ST-R is part of an aggressive motorsports presence for Ford as its strategy to support motorsports development across its core global vehicle platforms gains traction. Ford is applying engineering and development expertise for vehicles like Focus ST-R to spur success in competition, similar to that being enjoyed by the Fiesta in RallyCross and X Games.

As the ST-R seeks to make its name on the track, the production Focus ST gives sporting enthusiasts an opportunity to enjoy a performance vehicle on everyday roads.

[/learn_more]