Ford Focus ECOnetic to the rescue as high fuel bills bite

With fuel prices at an all-time high and not likely to get any cheaper, fuel tanker delivery drivers disrupting supplies, which might get better shortly, and with ever increasing tax for higher CO2 emitting vehicles, playing the ‘green’ card makes more and more sense.

Two recent surveys in the Daily Telegraph showed that UK motorists are changing their motoring habits. Survey one showed that fuel sales to motorists had dropped by 20 per cent, even before the recent cut in supplies due to industrial action. The second survey showed that 60 per cent of motorists are currently using their cars less.

In addition we know new and used car sales are stalling and dealers and manufacturers are feeling the pinch. There is the threat of job losses in the industry if the recession grows and to make it even worse the transport strikes in Spain, Portugal and France are disrupting supplies of vehicles and parts to this country so all-in-all it isn’t good news.

Now the good news

With high fuel prices and low availability the growth in the number of Eco models available to new car buyers is timely. Volkswagen has been peddling their BlueMototion ‘eco’ variants for some time, Audi have theirs as do Fiat, SEAT, Skoda and Ford to name but a few.

BMW of course has to be applauded most because their EfficientDynamics programme which reduces CO2 emissions, provides better mpg and more power and is standard on virtually all their models – not just a few variants.

Now whether these ‘eco’ models really do show an improvement over their standard model counterparts in real-life motoring conditions is debatable. Where they do have a real benefit is in their sub 121g/km CO2 rating so road tax is only £35 instead of £120 a year.

However it is likely that would-be ‘eco’ model buyers will have paid more for their new car than would a customer buying a standard version with the same engine size.

I rather get the feeling that these limited ‘eco’ models are more to do with manufacturers’ environmental marketing gestures than really getting tangible fuel and CO2 savings in every one of their models like BMW has done.

Take as an example the new Ford Focus – Britain’s best selling car for everyone of its 10 years in production. As a C-segment family car, hatchback, saloon, estate or coupe-cabriolet in the volume sector it ticks all the right boxes. It is the right size, it is the best in its sector for driving dynamics, its attractive, it’s safe and the range has a wide variety of engine options with prices to suit most people’s pockets.

Playing the ‘green’ card Ford has now introduced Focus ECOnetic variations to capitalize on the growing demand for low CO2 emitting family cars. They also have non-ECOnetic diesel models which are also sub 121g/km anyway, but it is important for marketing activities to be seen to have highlighted ‘greener’ versions.

The Focus ECOnetic models all have 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engines with the option of 90 or 109PS power outputs with CO2 levels starting from 114g/km. There is the choice of five-door hatchback and estate body styles.

ECOnetic models have their own specific level of specification positioning them between the Studio/Style and Zetec/Titanium mainstream models. ECOnetic models are priced from £16,050, around £250 more than equivalent 1.6 TDCi 90 and 109PS Style models.

In July Ford will launch will introduce a sub 140g/km Ford Mondeo ECOnetic 1.8 TDCi, 125PS five-door hatch and estate. ECOnetic versions of the new Fiesta will be launched in 2009.

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