Ford's Alan Mulally Brings 2012 Ford Focus Electric to the Letterman Show

Ford’s CEO Alan Mulally added a new victory to his hero status by appearing Wednesday night on CBS-TV’s Late Show with David Letterman, bringing along the 2012 Ford Focus Electric. Letterman stood behind the wheel and drove it across the stage, applauded wildly by the audience. Mulally also prepared the the moment earlier in the program when he told Letterman about Ford’s plans to offer both electric and plug-in hybrid versions of the new Focus, which are to be “made right here” in the United States.

The 2012 Focus Electric will be assembled in Michigan and is scheduled to go on sale later this year. When Mulally was asked by Letterman about the price tag of the Focus Electric he said “We haven't set the price yet...but it will be very competitive." It is expected to have a price tag somewhere between the 2012 Nissan Leaf which is prices from $36,050 including shipping and the 2012 Chevrolet Volt which is priced from $39,995, including shipping.

The part of the show which featured Alan Mulally was broadcasted jut after midnight on August 4, which happened to be Mulally’s birthday. David Letterman introduced Mulally as “a hero...responsible for rescuing Ford from the brink of bankruptcy”. Mulally had joined Ford six years ago as CEO after being passed over by Boeing for the same position. Ford’s CEO told Lettermen that he had no plans to leave the aerospace colossus after a 37-year carrier.

"But I got a call from Bill Ford (who) explained they were in trouble and they needed help," said Mulally. "I was being asked to serve a second American icon. And that's why I left Boeing.”