• Ford Sollers, Ford’s Russian joint venture, has started production of the new Ford Focus at its modernized Vsevolozhsk plant close to St. Petersburg, Russia
• The most advanced Ford Focus ever features 18 new and upgraded innovative technologies for Russian customers
• Focus has been specially-adapted for Russian winter and road conditions to meet the needs of Russian customers
• New Ford innovative technologies include advanced Active Park Assist system with hands-free Perpendicular Parking; improved noise isolation system; and SYNC 2 voice control connectivity system with traffic monitoring functionality covering more than 50 Russian cities
• New Focus is the fourth new Ford model to go into production at a Ford Sollers plant in Russia since the start of 2015

Vsevolozhsk, Leningrad region, July 7, 2015 – Ford Sollers today started production of the new Ford Focus at its modernized Vsevolozhsk plant close to St. Petersburg. The Ford Focus will be produced in three body styles for the Russian market – sedan, hatchback and wagon.

The start of production of the new Ford Focus follows the launch all-new Mondeo launch earlier this year at the Ford Sollers Vsevolozhsk Assembly Plant which has undergone significant modernization to deliver high quality, innovative and technologically-advanced new Ford vehicles. This has included the installation of new equipment; an increase in automation; new technological processes; and upgraded production ergonomics. The overall investment in the plant since it opened in 2002 has now reached $400 million. 

Alexander Drozdenko, the Governor of the Leningrad region, said during the start of production ceremony: “I would like to thank the team of Ford Sollers for their commitment to developing the production facilities here in Vsevolozhsk. I am proud that we now have a very modern plant that is capable of building technologically advanced vehicles in the country with the use of locally built parts. The Ford Focus is a true people’s car that really meets the demands of the modern customer in Russia.”

“More than 720,000 Ford Focus cars have been sold in Russia since the car first went on-sale 13 years ago and for many years it was Russia’s No.1 top-selling car – that’s a tremendous record,” said Ted Cannis, President and CEO, Ford Sollers.
 
“The new Focus – the most technologically-advanced Focus ever – will strengthen our position in the market and is sure to be a big hit with our customers.”

Added Adil Shirinov, executive director and COO, Ford Sollers: “The new Focus is the fourth new Ford model to go into production at a Ford Sollers plant since the beginning of the year, and follows the all-new Mondeo in Vsevolozhsk, the Transit in Elabuga, and the Fiesta in Naberezhnie Chelny.

“Ford Sollers now produces seven Ford vehicles at its three assembly plants in Russia, and we are not slowing down in the development of our business. We are continuing to invest in the modernization of our manufacturing facilities in Russia. For example, this year we will start local production of engines at a newly-constructed facility in Elabuga.”

Production of the Ford Focus started in the Vsevolozhsk plant in 2002, and it was the first Ford model built in Russia in the modern era. Over the intervening years, the Focus has won 18 major awards in the country.

The new Ford Focus evolves one of the worldwide best-selling cars with a bolder, more emotive exterior design, a finely crafted, intuitive new interior, and a suite of advanced technologies. The new Focus’s sporty character and driving appeal is burnished by a striking horizontal grille and a cockpit-inspired interior.

Advanced driving technologies

• The new Ford Focus is the first vehicle in the Russian Ford line-up to be equipped with the new 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine. This new engine offers customers the very latest EcoBoost engine technologies in a smart and efficient package. More economical, smoother-running and free-revving, this new EcoBoost engine delivers a compelling option for drivers who love petrol performance and want low running costs. The 150 hp engine is certified to operate on RON 92 gasoline.

• The Active City Stop collision avoidance system that helps to avoid or reduce the impact of collisions and is already familiar to Ford customers now operates for the new Focus at speeds of up to 50 km/h.

• The advanced Active Park Assist system now features Perpendicular Parking that helps drivers reverse into spaces side-to-side with other cars. And Park-Out Assist helps drivers as they exit a parallel parking space.

• New Focus also will be equipped for the first time with Ford’s MyKey technology enabling owners to program a key that restricts the top speed, reduces the maximum volume of the audio system, and can disable it altogether if driver and passengers are not using safety belts. The system can prevent the driver from deactivating safety technologies.

• The improved Adaptive Front Lighting System now adjusts the beams of the new Bi-Xenon HID headlamps to best suit the road layout. The system assesses the ambient light surrounding the car, as well as objects in the road ahead and then adjusts the headlight beam angle and intensity to one of seven settings depending on the vehicle’s speed, steering angle and distance to an object in front.

• SYNC 2, Ford’s advanced connectivity system, features a high-resolution, eight-inch colour touch screen and advanced voice control of audio, navigation, climate control and mobile phones in the Russian language. SYNC 2 features traffic monitoring functionality covering more than 50 Russian cities.

• Innovative approach to noise isolation will enable New Focus customers to enjoy quiet ride, achieved by thicker carpets, thicker side window glass, and improved engine bay insulation.

Focus tailored for the Russian market
The new Focus has been fully-adapted for Russia’s cold winter climate and road conditions by engineers at Ford Sollers R&D center. The new Focus has passed numerous complex tests on Russian roads with various surfaces, quality tests on the newest equipment, and has proven completely capable of exceeding the harsh climatic conditions during the winter tests.

The new Focus will be equipped with a special winter package, including an electric windshield defroster, electrically heated front and heated steering wheel. The Focus’s ground clearance for the Russian market has been raised up to 160 mm without affecting the excellent vehicle dynamics of Focus.

The model will be covered with a 12-years perforation corrosion warranty, and prices will be announced in Russia on July 16.