CAR FEATURING HIRVONEN, CAO AUTOGRAPHS

Chongqing — Today, Ford WRC leading racer, Mikko Hirvonen, and the youngest Changan Ford CTCC driver, Cao Hongwei, celebrated the launch of the Ford Focus Sporty Limited in the Bird’s Nest, the National Stadium, in Beijing.

The Focus, receiving wide acclaim from global auto enthusiasts for its lustrous racing performance, will see the roll-out of its first limited edition in China in late November. Only 1,500 such models will be available in the market around the country and every car shall carry the autographs of both famous racers.

The BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team driver, Mikko Hirvonen, who claimed the runner-up position in the 2009 WRC a week ago, and won victory in four consecutive stops in the 2009 season, drove the Ford Focus Sporty Limited onto the stage.

“Focus has been a loyal partner in my WRC battles. I’m glad to know that more than 400,000 Chinese have chosen Ford Focus. Also, I believe the limited model will offer greater passion to all of those sitting behind the wheel,” said Hirvonen.

Sixteen-year-old Cao Hongwei, the Changan Ford Racing Team driver who is still attending senior high school, was Hirvonen’s navigator in the event. He is looking at snatching the title at the fifth stop of CTCC in Shanghai in the coming weekend.

“I feel honored to be able to unveil the car with such a famous racer like Mikko Hirvonen,” he said. “Thanks to Focus’ excellent performance, Changan Ford has won the championship twice in the driver and team categories this year, and we are confident in winning the annual final.”

Relying on the fantastic performance of the Ford Focus, the Ford Team has been a two-time WRC final championship winner in 2006 and 2007 and won second place in 2008 WRC and 2009 WRC. The Changan Ford team won runner-up in the China Circuit Championship in 2006, when it first introduced motor sports into China and moved one step ahead to claim final winner in the 2007 season.