- Chances are you have tattoos; now you can put them on a 2012 Ford Focus.
- Ford will offer 200 vinyl wraps on the redesigned Focus.
- The automaker will begin posting the available designs online in mid-January.
DEARBORN, Michigan — Ford is going for the style-conscious Millennial demographic in rolling out optional vinyl "tattoo" design wraps for the 2012 Focus, which goes on sale in the first quarter of 2011. More than 200 choices are available to wrap the new car, with prices starting at $120.
Ford cites a Pew research study showing that almost 40 percent of Millennials — who are currently aged 18-28 — have at least one tattoo.
Although Ford isn't yet offering the option of custom design orders, the automaker has already rolled out a custom graphics option for the Explorer, F-150, Fiesta and Mustang. They're the work of Original Wraps Inc., and made out of Scotchprint Personalized Vehicle Graphic Film, a 3M product. A wrap is applied to the car with a clear protective layer over it. Orders are placed and graphics installed through Ford dealerships.
The vinyl won't hurt factory paint, can be removed at any time and is expected to last 3-5 years. Hand washing is recommended for a Focus with graphics applied, though.
Currently available car art can be viewed at Ford's Graphics Web site. Graphics for the 2012 Ford Focus will be posted online in mid-January, the automaker says.
Inside Line says: A fashion "don't" if ever we saw one. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
albook says:
06:46 AM, 12/29/2010
Ha the tats would be okay if the back of the car weren't so awkward.
lions208487 says:
11:42 AM, 12/28/2010
I like the car, but you can keep the hippie Los Angeles options for the teenage girls.
mklrivowner says:
08:46 AM, 12/28/2010
@dgs4 - You do realize that flower tattoos date to prehistoric times? Samurai wore peony, cherry blossom, and lily tattoos as marks of courage, power, and righteousness. Even those tribal arm band tats that you probably got after a drunken frat party or as some macho football brotherhood thing are really abstract representations of flowers, trees, and nature. I am getting an orchid tattoo representing my survival. But that doesn't make me gay.
By the way, good luck convincing your therapist that you're not in the closet yourself.
phoenixc says:
02:38 AM, 12/28/2010
@dgs4 - Did some rose bush attack you as a child? LOL!
I think it's so weird that people bother associating a plant with gender. Maybe they'll offer a set of tree tattoos for those guys who are afraid of flowers. Sheesh! How will I ever survive without my gender-identifying colors and social norms!? Do I want flowers on my car, not necessarily but then again I could care less if a straight guy or a gay guy wants flowers on their car - that's why America is the best - do what you want and let others do the same.
angry_mushroom says:
12:14 AM, 12/28/2010
This ought to be interesting. I wonder what the most awesome one will be.
bearsdkilz says:
11:06 PM, 12/27/2010
Ford you made a good car, you don't need cheesy stickers to make it sell. Leave that to Scion.
iwant12 says:
06:43 PM, 12/27/2010
I'll take mine in black, please. And with no tats.
strangelove says:
05:58 PM, 12/27/2010
IL readers will pan this. Consumers, especially those in the Focus buyer demographic, will eat it up. Shrewd by Ford. Please keep my stock on the rise, Mullally.