Ford Motor Company is no stranger to NASCAR, breaking records left and right and soon, they’ll do it once again but in an entirely different way. Right before a fully loaded field of fire-breathing stock cars gets fully unleashed for the Richmond 400 race, history will be made as the pace car will be no ordinary pace car. For the first time ever, a fully electric and zero emissions car will pace NASCAR and its name is the 2012 Ford Focus Electric.
“Highlighting the Focus Electric as a pace car is a fun way to educate consumers about the kinds of benefits our electrified vehicles deliver and show people our commitment to provide Ford customers the power of choice for leading fuel economy in the vehicle that best meets their needs,” said Mark Fields, president of American Ford. The main thought process behind allowing a silent running hatchback to lead a grouping of near-800-horsepower monsters is product awareness. When the Focus Electric hits the steaming hot concrete of the Richmond International Raceway on April 28, it will be seen by thousands of fans. A few of them might just have their minds changed to realize that 110 eMPG, zero emissions and fun hatchback utility can actually be brought together in one low-cost car.
Source: Ford
