Motor City metal

• Source: Global Times
• [16:17 January 14 2011]
• Comments

Editor's Note:

Entering its 23rd year in Detroit as the international auto event of the season, the North American International Auto Show runs from January 10 to 23.

This year's show is full of the usual glitz and glitter, despite last year's show being described as more like a "funeral."

And that optimism in the world's auto market and a focus on green technology are on display in the motor city this year as US auto sales registered a rise for the first time last year since the financial crisis.

That "optimism" may best be demonstrated by the number of new offerings in this year's show – nearly 40, up from 27 models that debuted at last year's show.

This week's auto coverage shines the spotlight on new offerings from three well-established automakers and one Chinese car producer, as their alternative-powered technologies take the lead or they seek to shift their brand image to one of more fuel efficiency and technological bells and whistles.

All-new Focus Electric

Ford wants to use its first all-electric passenger car to eclipse Nissan's battery-powered Leaf and GM's Volt.

According to Ford, a full recharge is expected to take three to four hours at home with the 240-volt charge station – half the charge time of the Nissan Leaf. And a single charge can allow the Focus EV to travel 160 kilometers.

The all-electric powertrain and single-speed transmission provide responsiveness and smooth acceleration when the driver hits the gas, up to a top speed of 136 kph, Ford said in a statement.

A host of standard safety and security features including six airbags and electronic traction control will also be available for North America customers.

Focus Electric is slated to be launched in North America in late 2011 and Europe in 2012. The US automaker plans to increase electric and hybrid vehicles to as much as a fourth of its lineup by 2020.