New Ford Focus ST Becomes UK Police Car

You may have heard a lot of buzz around the new Ford Focus ST. All round fantastic reviews and now it's taking its first role in law enforcement.

UK police have taken delivery of a good bunch of these 250 horsepower machines in estate form. And can you blame them? With a 0 to 62mph in 7 second start, this thing is fast.

The one you can see pictured here is currently a test build developed by Ford Special Vehicle Preparations (SVP) in Earls Colne, Essex.

At the National Association of Police Fleet Managers’ Conference and Blue Light Fleet Exhibition (NAPFM) in Peterborough, Terry Adams, Ford’s Direct Sales Manager for Police, Fire & Ambulance, had this to say:

“With the Ford Focus ST being seen so publicly on cinema screens nationwide, the timing for this ‘official’ version couldn’t be better. At the NAPFM show we displayed the car’s crime-fighting talents to police transport managers and took bookings for demonstrations,”

Ford Offer European Workers Severance Pay

Struggling in the European car market, the Ford Motor company is now offering severance pay to 'a few hundred' white collar Euro workers.

The company announced that it expected to lose more than 1 billion dollars in Europe this year as it struggles to make up the costs of its plunging vehicle sales. Although the severance pay appears negative, this is in part-plan to push for greater efficiencies in all areas of Ford - in regards to European business.

In the statement released on Tuesday they said that Ford will offer buyouts to employees and cut spending on contract workers. In turn this shall reduce personal costs. 

With the over all European economy crisis, peers of Ford have also been suffering. The overall industry has fallen 8.5% in sales, leaving Ford's European vehicle sales plunging a massive 29% percent in August. 

In an attempt to attract new buyers the company is also cutting costs in the region in order to revamp its line-up.

Alan Mulally who is Chief Executive of Ford in Europe said:

"There is a tremendous decrease in demand, but we're absolutely committed to Europe," 

And then added

 "That will involve some restructuring."

It will be interesting to see how Ford's plans work out.

The Advantages of Winter Tyres

The latest video from the FordUKTV YouTube channel highlights how important changing your tyres can be during the colder winter months. The outcome, even at just 15mph, is pretty conclusive and making the choice to switch your tyres could easily be the difference between having a safe winter or ending up making a claim.