Cork, 13 June, 2008 – Ford’s leading position in the commercial vehicle (CV) market in Ireland is likely to be boosted by the recent introduction of the new Focus Style van. It replaces the successful Focus Mark II van, which has been the best-seller in its segment for several years.

 

Available in the 1.8 TDCi common rail diesel engine, delivering 115PS, the new Focus Style van draws on the strengths which have made the passenger car a previous winner of the Semperit Irish Car of the Year title.

 

A fresh, new Ford kinetic Design exterior, upgraded interior, new features and technologies combine with outstanding environmental credentials and acclaimed driving dynamics that are sure to keep Focus Style van at the top of its segment in the CV market.

 

“The qualities of reliability, value, space and driveability that lies behind the success of our revised Focus are transferred to this commercial version,” commented Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford Ireland. “Add to this the provision of Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) as standard – the only car derived van in Ireland to have this life-saving technology – plus Ford’s acclaimed 1.8 TDCi engine and you have an outstanding package for a market-beating price of just €20,015.”

 

ESP has been heralded as the most important safety development since the introduction of the seat belt. The technology detects a deviation of the vehicle's motion from the driver's intended path, and brakes one or more wheels to get the vehicle back on its desired path, preventing the vehicle from spinning or skidding out of control. Ford is leading the industry in the provision of ESP as standard on its range of commercial vehicles including: the Transit Connect, Transit, Ranger and now, the new Focus Style van. In the case of heavily-laden vans, ESP can be particularly important in preventing a sudden swerve from causing a dangerous skid.

 

Commercial operators can concentrate on the job at hand in the knowledge that they are behind the wheel of one of the safest vans on the road. Awarded a 5-star occupant protection rating in the EuroNCAP test, the Focus became the first and only model to receive a 100% occupant safety rating for both offset frontal and side impact tests. The van comes equipped with ABS and 6 airbags as part of Ford’s Intelligent Protection System (IPS).

 

The new Focus Style van also boasts a net payload of 576kg, a 30% increase on the previous 1.6 TDCi model. While the smart 16-spoke “Y-design” alloys and front fogs lamps, available for just €550, give the Focus Style van a stylish appearance not usually expected of a commercial vehicle. “Functionality aside, this is a van that drivers will be proud to be seen in and that responsive TDCi engine will help take the strain out of a hard day on the road”, adds Eddie Murphy.

 

The Focus Mark II van has proved its popularity as the best-selling car-derived van in Ireland last year, with a total of 821 units registered. 3210 units have been sold since its introduction in 2002.

 

The Focus Style van 1.8 TDCi 115PS is available for €20,015 (price includes VAT, excludes delivery and related charges).