That distinction was made official today as Ford started production of the European Focus Electric in Saarlouis, Germany.

The Focus Electric is the first full-electric vehicle to be built by Ford in Europe.

According to Ford, the zero-emission Focus Electric is spearheading Ford’s line-up of electrified and highly fuel-efficient vehicles, and will be joined in Europe by the C MAX Energi plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) next year, followed by the all-new Mondeo Hybrid soon after.

Developed as a “One Ford” global vehicle, the Focus Electric features an electric motor and lithium-ion battery powertrain.

The Focus Electric has been manufactured in North America since December 2011 and the Saarlouis-built Focus Electric will reach European customers starting in August this year.

“Focus Electric marks the dawn of an exciting new age of full-electric Ford passenger vehicles in Europe, and demonstrates the success of the One Ford strategy in making this sophisticated vehicle available to our European customers,” said Barb Samardzich, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe. “It’s a car that addresses the mobility demands and environmental concerns of today’s car buyers in the most direct way possible – combining performance and advanced technology with a zero-emission powertrain.”

Ford has invested €16 million to integrate the Focus Electric production directly into the established Focus production line at Saarlouis, delivering the flexibility to react to market demand with increased production volumes.

“The start of Focus Electric production in Saarlouis is hugely significant for Ford in Germany, and underlines Ford’s position as a leader in automotive innovation,” said Mattes. “We are giving customers the Power of Choice so they can decide whether a fuel efficient conventional powertrain or an electrified vehicle is right for their needs.”

The Focus Electric is the first full-electric vehicle to be manufactured in Germany directly from a volume production line.

Each European Focus Electric is equipped with a 6.6 kilowatt fully integrated onboard charger that can deliver around 100 km (62 miles) driving range with 2-3 hours charging, and around 150 km (93 miles) driving range with 3-4 hours charging from a 32 amps European power supply.

The Focus Electric features a new user interface called SmartGauge which calculates and displays range based on remaining energy; the driver’s unique vehicle use, across braking and acceleration inputs; and the use of accessories such as climate control and audio systems.

Ford also said the Focus Electric’s powertrain uses regenerative braking to capture up to 95 percent of kinetic energy normally lost during the braking process, while the innovative Brake Coach feature encourages gradual braking to help return more energy to the battery.

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The Focus Electric, which is Ford’s first all-electric passenger vehicle, earned a five-star Overall Vehicle Score in NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) testing, which combines vehicle performance in frontal and side-impact crash tests and resistance to rollover.

“As more people shop for electrified vehicles, the Focus Electric now offers both a top vehicle safety rating from NHTSA and a faster-charging technology that allows it to fully recharge in three to four hours,” said Steve Kenner, global director of the Ford Automotive Safety Office.

Safety-wise, the Focus Electric features front and side airbag technologies that Ford said is programmed to tailor deployment to individual occupants. The driver’s airbag uses a reconfigured curve-shaped tether system that pulls in the lower section to create a “pocket” to help lessen the impact of the airbag on the driver’s chest and ribs in frontal crashes. The side airbags feature unique shoulder vents that stay open and reduce pressure for smaller occupants who typically benefit from reduced forces.

The Focus Electric safety and security features include:

• AdvanceTrac with electronic stability control
• Dual-stage front airbags
• Front seat side airbags
• Side-curtain airbags
• Four-wheel anti-lock braking system
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children)
• Anti-theft engine immobilizer

The 2013 Ford Focus, which the Focus Eletric is based-on, earned a NHTSA five-star Overall Vehicle Score as well.

Ford just announced that more than 900 Ford dealers will soon be certified to sell plug-in electrified vehicles. Ford said the spike in electric vehicle-certified Ford dealers reflects increased demand for the company’s electrified vehicles.

Ford’s share of the electrified vehicle market is now second behind Toyota.

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Ford said the 900 dealers represents about one-third of all Ford dealers in the U.S.

This triples Ford’s original projections and are an increase of 200 dealers from November 2012, the second full month C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid were available.

Ford finds that sales of these hybrids are resonating with customers, further strengthening the case for dealerships to certify.

As seen in our January Dashboard, Ford delivered a record January hybrid sales month, following what Ford qualifies as a record-breaking EV sales quarter in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Ford expects to announce today record January sales for Fusion Hybrid.

Dealer certification allows dealers to sell the Focus Electric, C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid. Certification isn’t necessary for a Ford dealer to sell C-MAX Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid.

Ford announced this certified dealer program in February 2011.

Brian House, electrified vehicle sales manager at Varsity Ford in Ann Arbor, Mich., said the dealership went through the certification process about a year ago. He said the process has been worth it, especially when it comes to providing the best customer service possible.

“All 23 of our sales staff are able to answer questions about each of these vehicles,” said House. “That’s important, because customers want to learn as much about these vehicles as possible.”

Certification means the dealerships have met the automaker’s guidelines for dealers selling electric vehicles – including installation of at least two on-site charging stations and participation in highly specialized training in the field of electric vehicles.

To become certified, dealers have to satisfy a list of other specific requirements, such as:

• One of the two required charging stations at the dealership must be in the customer area and the other must be in the service area
• At least one Focus Electric and C-MAX Energi must be available at all times for demonstrations and events
• Of the sales consultant, sales manager, service advisor and service manager jobs at each location, 80 percent must meet specific electric vehicle training certification requirements that cover topics including advanced knowledge of electrification
• Each showroom will have point-of-purchase display materials including digital assets and window signage
• Participation in a Ford Go Green Dealer on-site facility assessment to identify energy- and cost-saving opportunities with a goal of facilitating energy efficiency, lower operating expenses and carbon footprint reduction

Ford said it took a phased approach to rollout of the EV Certified Ford dealer program that began with phase one and centered on 19 key markets as determined by market research, projected customer demand and other factors. The same approach was used in phase two as the program launched in an additional 23 markets.

With more than 900 EV Certified Ford dealers expected to soon be in the network, the phase strategy is no longer being used.

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