he all-new Ford Focus on display at 2005 Auto Shanghai in China.

NEW FORD FOCUS GLOWS AT AUTO SHANGHAI 2005; CHANGAN FORD TO BUILD NEW CAR IN CHONGQING

2005 Shanghai Motor Show

SHANGHAI, April 20, 2005 – The long expected star of Ford's newest line-up was unveiled today for international journalists at Auto Shanghai 2005. The all-new Ford Focus that made its global debut as a four-door concept model in Auto China 2004 last June in Beijing will be built by Changan Ford Automobile Co., Ltd. (Changan Ford) in Chongqing. The order taking will begin August 1 with deliveries expected two months later.

"The new Focus is the best ever. It is truly a global launch", said Mark Schulz, executive vice president of Ford Motor Company and president, Ford Asia Pacific & Africa.

"The Ford Focus is among the most successful products in Ford’s 100-year history," Said Mei-Wei Cheng, vice president and president and CEO of Ford Motor China. "Since its introduction in 1998, Focus has won 75 awards, including 13 Car of the Year awards. It is the only car so far to have won Car of the Year in both Europe and North America."

"Focus has been consistently ranked among the world’s best-selling cars. After six years, nearly 5 million of the first generation were sold," said Ron Tyack, president and CEO of Changan Ford. "Changan Ford is very proud to build this wonderful new car at our Chongqing plant."

"Focus will bring the blend of style, craftsmanship and the latest German technologies to China." said Zou Wenchao, executive vice president of Changan Ford.

The new Focus is poised to set a new benchmark for the mid-sized car segment in China by delivering the best of European styling, German engineering and premium driving quality to Chinese customers.

In addition to the new Focus, Ford is also showing the other members of Focus range, including the Focus Vignale concept and Focus 2006 World Rally Championship (WRC). This show of strength reveals Ford's growing commitment to what is becoming the world’s most vigorous and exciting marketplace.

Sleek European Styling

The design of the new Focus is contemporary and distinctive. It is unmistakably a Ford Focus, with the trademark high gear lamps and distinctive side window graphic.

Elegant but dynamic, the new Focus was uniquely designed to deliver a more refined sophistication to Asian consumers.

The all new Focus has a muscular stance, highlighted by flared wheel arches that more prominent and still integrated into the overall design. The key lines of the body structures sweep up towards the rear. The surfacing is taut, fluid and precise, with very neat details.

The vehicle’s interior design continues the theme of premium quality through the use of high quality materials and textures, exceptional fit and finish. The unique features such as the SLA control blade rear suspension, rear air vents, anti-theft system, PATS flip key and the advanced front rain wiper also indicate the dedicated consideration behind the design.

Dependable German Engineering

Based on DNA created in Ford of Europe's engineering teams, the new Focus is intelligently designed for Chinese needs, and comes with an impressive European heritage. The new Focus tops the mid-sized car segment with 2640 mm best-in-class wheelbase, 1,840 mm width, and 526-liter trunk.

The new Focus will feature a powerful new 1.8-litre Duratec-HE engine with VIS (Variable Intake System) design. Delivering 97 kw of power at 6000 rpm and peak torque of 165 nm at 4,500 rpm, this German engineered engine employs state of the art combustion technology to deliver high levels of performance and fuel economy. Extremely durable, the lightweight aluminum alloy materials was designed to be very efficient, require low levels of maintenance and provide customers with a long service life.

The engine will be available with automatic or optional manual transmissions.

Driving Quality

Ford Focus set the benchmark for dynamic driving quality in its class. The new Focus extends that strength to encompass the entire driving experience.

Enhancements build on the ultra-stiff body shell, the WRC-patented SLA Control Blade Independent rear suspension, and a new, stiffer front subframe.

More product details and full pricing will be announced closer to launch.