All-new Ford Focus begins pre-launch campaign
The third generation Ford Focus is set to make its Malaysian debut soon, with pre-launch marketing campaigns already getting underway. Interested customers can head to the Blue Concourse of Sunway Pyramid at Lower Ground 2 to see the Focus up close in person from today until Sunday, 15 July 2012.
Global debut of the latest Focus took place in 2010, but its introduction in our part of the world has been held back to coincide with the starting of operations of Ford’s new plant in Rayong, Thailand, that is now tasked to supply the Focus for the ASEAN region (except Singapore), Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Ford will launch the Focus in Malaysia with a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated direct injection engine making 168hp and 200Nm as its sole powertrain option paired to a 6-speed PowerShift dual clutch transmission as standard. Two body styles – sedan and hatchback – each with two spec levels offered, contribute to the four-variant line-up. An estimated pricing range of RM120,000 to RM135,000 has been announced. The outgoing Focus is currently priced between RM116k and RM129k.
As revealed to us during an exclusive preview for members of the ASEAN media in Bangkok earlier this year, the Focus will hit the market boasting an array of class-leading technologies including Ford’s voice-activated SYNC© connectivity package, Active Park Assist, Active Grille Shutters, Active City Stop and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), the latter two undoubtedly ransacked from Volvo when the Swedish company was still under Ford ownership.
The Active Park Assist feature will be a boon to owners troubled by parallel parking. When activated, the system scans for available spaces, and automatically operates the steering wheel whilst the driver maintains control of the accelerator, brake, and gears.
One argument commonly used to discourage the idea of owning a Ford is high maintenance costs. To that end, the new Focus moves to assuage such concerns with 10,000km service intervals in addition to Ford’s Extended Service Plan (ESP) which is essentially a 3-year/60,000km free maintenance plan covering parts and labour.
In addition to routine inspection and maintenance services, Ford’s ESP covers free replacements for normal wear-and-tear, including spark plugs, shock absorbers, engine belts, engine hoses, brake pads, brake linings and wiper blades. Additional coverage includes replacement of fuel filters, engine air filters, brake fluids and engine coolant. Warranty for the Focus spans 3 years / 100,000km.
All customers pre-ordering an all-new Ford Focus will have a chance to win an all-new Focus (hatchback) in leading up to the Malaysia launch this year. They will also receive shopping vouchers worth RM500 upon registering the vehicle.
Further Details:
– Ford vehicle prices and specifications in Malaysia
– List of Ford official dealer and branches
