Ford is looking to put 100 of its new start/stop Focus Econetic cars on trial with fleets to help it better understand how drivers react to the new technology.

The selected fleets are likely to be existing Ford customers.

They will take delivery of the cars from next February, when it goes on general sale.

According to Mike Simpson, Ford of Britain marketing director, the companies might be offered favourable terms in return for agreeing to provide Ford with regular feedback on driver performance and preferences.

“We will have to agree individual rates with individual companies,” Simpson told Fleet News.

“We want to see how drivers react.

"We can do all the testing in the world, but we can’t predict how people will actually use the cars.”

The feedback will help shape future versions of the start/stop system which switches the engine off when the car is in neutral and the clutch pedal disengaged.

Available on the 1.6-litre 108bhp TDCi Focus, it cuts CO2 emissions to 99g/km and improves fuel efficiency to 74.2mpg.

In January Ford will launch ECOService, a driver performance monitoring service across its entire model range via its dealer network.

Fleets will be able to have a unit fitted for a small charge which will give them feedback on how efficiently their drivers are performing.

The data will be provided to the fleet as a report when the car undergoes its regular service.

“It’s like an eco service,” says Simpson.

“It measures all aspects of your driving, including harsh braking, how hard you accelerate and the speed you drive at.”