Focus on the tattoos

Can you imagine what a tattooed car would look like? Well, Ford is giving you the chance as the brand is giving his customers the possibility to customize the new 2012 Ford Focus with tattoos. Over the years tattooing has become more and more popular and crossed the path from being body art into a fashion statement. Ford is now giving this trend a step further.

The American brand will soon be offering more than 200 unique vinyl wrap tattoos, that will go from geometric patterns and racing stripes to whimsical imagery like splashes and swirls, so that every customer can find a design that better represents who they are. The new Focus will soon be available for customization at www.fordcustomgraphics.com.

“With its striking front end, sleek profile, dramatic rising beltline and athletic stance, the Focus provides the perfect canvas for customization,” said KC Dallia, Focus brand manager.

Migration of tattoos to the cars is, according to Sheryl Connelly, Ford Global Trends and Futuring manager, a natural progression of the tattoo trend.

“The one-size-fits-all model isn’t really relevant to today’s consumers, and it’s not necessarily a desire to stand out from the crowd. It’s more of a desire not to be lost in the masses,” she said. “People are personalizing everything – cell phones, computers and clothing – and it’s no different with automobiles.”

Custom Graphics are currently available at www.fordcustomgraphics.com for the Ford Mustang, F-150, Explorer and Fiesta, but the brand can’t track how many tattoos have been sold because the orders are processed at individual dealerships throughout the United States. The graphics for the new Ford Focus should be available in mid-January.

“The goal of Ford Custom Accessories is to give customers new ways to make the vehicle their own,” said Jim Abraham, Ford Licensed Accessories manager. Abraham reckons that the automotive aftermarket has grown into a $34 billion industry and that Ford has registered an exponential growth in Vehicle Personalization over the last few years.