Ford Europe has built around 170,000 units of its redesigned Focus in 2011 and around a fifth of buyers have chosen the optional active city stop and active park assist systems, the automaker said.
Active park assist has also proved popular with buyers of the redesigned C-Max (built on the same platform and sharing many parts and engines with the Focus) which went on sale in late 2010. Some 32.7% of customers for the 66,000 vehicles produced so far this year have selected the feature which automatically controls the steering and issues driver commands during reverse parking manoeuvres. [It leaves getting out of the parking place solely to the driver, with only corner parking sensors to help – ed]
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“We are delighted with the customer response to the technologies introduced with the new Focus and C-Max,” said Helmut Reder, the model lines’ global chief engineer.
“We don’t believe in technology for technology’s sake and when we develop these systems we strive to ensure that they improve the driving and ownership experience by meeting real customer needs. The take-up of our new driver aids witnessed so far has been extremely encouraging and suggests customers agree that these features offer a genuine benefit.”
