The Ford Story: Relationship Furthers Green Technology

At Ford Motor Company, we’re going green, and fast. We’re proud to be one of only three companies selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to be approved for the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program.

This green relationship with the U.S. government will help us accelerate the development of advanced technologies for even better fuel efficiency and emissions. These are the loans that Congress authorized in conjunction with the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act.

Seventy-five companies applied for these loans. Ford is one of the first automakers deemed by the government to be among the best companies with the best technologies in American manufacturing and fuel efficiency.

We are committed to fuel economy leadership with every new model we introduce. In fact, we are investing nearly $14 billion in advanced technology vehicles in the next seven years alone in the U.S.

Our relationship with the Department of Energy also will help retool our U.S. plants more quickly to produce fuel-efficient vehicles and meet new, rigorous fuel-economy requirements.

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35 Comments

ya
June 23, 2009 at 10:48 pm

I thought ford was different from GM and Chrysler. what happen Reply

Scott Monty
June 24, 2009 at 11:08 pm

We still are. This is not a loan to shore up our infrastructure or our financial stability. Indeed, only companies that were eligible to receive the funding were companies that are financially viable.

The program was instituted by the U.S. government in December of 2007 after CAFE standards were raised to a point that imposed $114 billion in costs on automakers. The $25 billion program is the government's effort to offset that cost and to work in partnership - not receivership - with companies that have a plan for addressing fuel efficiency needs.

Scott Monty
Global Digital Communications
Ford Motor Company Reply

Tom Price
June 27, 2009 at 6:07 pm

Scott please tell me where are the small Diesels you sell in Canada and Mexico? I am WAITING, impatiently by the way. BMW ruined the 335D by offering only automatic and only a sunroof as standard. Each one of these options are deal killers alone for me,and they have both standard. Sporty cars with AUTOMATICS? Give me a break. WHERE ARE THE SMALL DIESELS? Even Peugeot has many DIESELS and they are developing a DIESEL HYBRID 70+ miles per gallon! My 1985 Oldsmobile 98 got 30+ miles per gallon in 1985. Come on Ford, get a grip and bring in the small Diesels. WHERE ARE THE SMALL DIESELS? Reply

Scott Monty
June 30, 2009 at 2:10 pm

Tom, I appreciate your passion around small diesels. We're working on a comprehensive plan that includes hybrids, battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, hydrogen and alternative fuels. What's most important for us is that we provide affordable solutions for fuel efficient vehicles. Because diesel and emissions standards are different in the U.S. than they are in Europe, and because we don't have any facilities already built, we need to consider these at the appropriate time. Reply

eric
July 9, 2009 at 7:56 pm

An interesting sticker I saw on an Escape: "Hybrids are sexy, biodiesels are sexier" made me think. I don't know about Tom but my reason for buying a diesel would be to convert it to biodiesel (very popular in Portland). There is no doubt that Ford could laugh at any diesel fuel standard if it build a flex-fuel, biodiesel line. I think Ford would have a very popular vehicle that would leave the other automakers playing catch-up. If you included a bio-diesel production processor, you would have a force to be reckoned with. Imagine what you could accomplish with a Ford Flex-fuel, Biodiesel, PHEV! Reply

Deb
June 23, 2009 at 11:28 pm

when this car will be available for USA customer ?
It has , i presume, less moving parts. The why it should be more expensive than usual gasoline car ? Reply

hamzah
June 24, 2009 at 8:43 am

wow this cool

i love sped

i need this car Reply

Stephen C Orrell
June 24, 2009 at 1:10 pm

Early in 2007 I purchased a Focus ST. I bought this Ford because it met my requirements (a tourquy DOHC engine,4 wheel dics, a good 5 speed and a good suspension) it was however a substitute for a diesel I could not get. Ford has shown diesels in Europe that get 54 mpg highway. In CT we are paying 20 cents per Kwh.this is the equivalent of $6/gal diesel. Plug in hibreds make NO sense. Reply

Mart
June 25, 2009 at 12:03 pm

Ford had the Th!nk City, and let it go. Now you're pairing with Magna to electrify the tired, old, face-lifted and botoxed Focus. When are you guys and gals going to have a purpose designed, battery electric Model E available??? Reply

J Daniels
June 25, 2009 at 12:07 pm

The directions Ford Motor, and the Dept. of energy is correct. The ecological and carbon footprints can come into view once this first step has taken place. I hope that these agencies will encourage further devolvement twards a vehicle that will produce it’s own power, or perpetual motion. Only electrical powered vehicles has this capability in my mind. This madness should have been addressed years ago, but we got lulled to sleep, again. Maybe this time around we learned. . . My prayers are with all of you in this grand development of automotive concepts. It’s not gonna’ be easy. Our mettle will be tested, and hope this battle will be ours. God Bless! Reply

Jerry
June 26, 2009 at 1:47 pm

The ‘Big Three’ including Ford, still believe that they can tell the American consumer what is good for them. Until they walk out of their own arrogance caves and look at what the ‘buying customer’ wants they will stay in their current tailspin.
I am 100% against loaning the big three anything unless they are willing to get in the real game…
Unlike us, the ‘off shore‘car building culture is to:
-FIRST query the customer for a ‘wish book’
-and then create a product that meets or beats the wish book input.

I am a ‘die-hard’ American… but the big three in this country don’t have a clue. I offer a challenge to the American Automotive design community. Go to Avis and rent a Nissan Altma hybrid, drive it one hundred miles and then try to build something competitive. I wanted to try a hybrid and this was my choice. They will find a car that rides like a Caddy STS, performs like a Pontiac G6, at 80 all it wants to do is ‘go faster’, Interior about the size of a mid sized Fusion, and at the end of my one hundred mile adventure took a whole 2.3 gal of gas to top it off. And, to add icing to the cake this automobile had all of the amities including GPS and has an ‘out the door’ price of under 34K. American engineering puts us in a lead position in the space program yet we are not even in the ‘chase’ when it comes to hybrid competition Reply

David
June 26, 2009 at 7:17 pm

I disagree with these comments about hybrids. Ford has a great hybrid in the 2010 Fusion, it's been getting great press. The shame is, Ford was turning out "monster trucks" for the last 20 years. They were as bad as any of the U.S. manufacturers. But they have narrowly averted financial disaster and are on a great path to building great cars. Reply

Jim Neal
December 7, 2009 at 11:25 pm

I drove the Fusion it rode very nice. However, the seats are made for a 140 lb perSon. Narrowly way, too uncomfortable. Also, this was the, "BIG DEAL KILLER", ITS A 100% MEXICAN CAR!!!!!
MADE ENTIRELY IN HERMISILLO, MEXICO.

PUT SOME AMERICANS BACK TO WORK! IF IT COMES TO BUYING A JAPANESE OR A MEXICAN CAR I WILL BUY AN AMERICAN CHEVY VOLT! Reply

Scott Monty
June 30, 2009 at 2:05 pm

Jerry, have you even *tried* the new Fusion Hybrid? The fact of the matter is Ford has gotten the input from consumers. It's what has made is possible for us to gain market share in 8 of the last 9 months and to increase production later this year. I'm not sure what you think other companies have done that Ford isn't doing (not what you *think* Ford isn't doing). Scott Monty | Global Digital Communications | Ford Motor Company Reply

Jeffrey
July 15, 2009 at 9:09 am

I would love to try the Ford Fusion Hybrid. I've been geeked about this car since I first heard of it! The problem is, my dealership said they are "made to order" and I'm not about to order one without getting to at least test drive one. Especially with the premium mark up they add to the sticker price. If Ford wants to move these cars, they need to be on the lot and priced alongside the gasoline versions. Reply

Ira Silverman
November 28, 2009 at 3:51 pm

I am an owner of a Fusion Hybrid with about 5000 miles. I am delighted with the car and the fuel mileage is outstanding (42 highway/37 suburbs). I sing its praises to everyone.

However you will notice that's the reverse of the predicted EPA mileage. It would take a miracle to engage the electric motor at 40mph. The local dealer is not knowledgeable about the exact operation of the hybrid and I want to assure myself that the computer is properly functioning when it calls for the electric motor. (It might indicate you should be soft pedaling the high speed operation in hybrid mode). The standard Ford communications method keeps the true experts behind a curtain. Is there anyone I could talk to by E-mail who could educate me? Reply

Praveen Cherian
November 30, 2009 at 8:59 pm

Hello Ira, first of all, thank you for the compliments on the Ford Fusion Hybrid and also congrats on your excellent fuel economy numbers on the highway. City fuel economy has a lot to do with your pedal input and use of regen braking. Try different cluster settings (my favorite is the EMPOWER gauge) to see which works best for you to modulate your driving habits. Generally speaking, gradual acceleration (EV mode till speeds of 20 mph and then pulling up engine as the gas engine is generally more efficient at higher speeds) and gradual braking will maximize your city fuel economy. Small change in driving habits will become second nature over time and you should see big improvement in your overall fuel economy.

Praveen Cherian
Ford Motor Company Reply

Jeff
July 3, 2009 at 3:18 am

34k is still a ridiculous price. Automakers should be getting us 100miles per gallon for about 25k. Reply

Steve Durant
June 26, 2009 at 7:13 pm

Why dont youhave an incentive for retirees? Weare on afixed income and still are loyal custmers. Reply

john
June 29, 2009 at 12:00 am

i think that with all the bail out money they auto dealers have gotten i think they should have to give out atleast 2000 new cars each auto maker to the american people fuel efficient ones to the people that have old vehicles or no vehicles. if ford is so concerned about being green then why not it would be a tax write off for them and dont give to public schools or businesses or anything like that to a common american person. and if the president is so worried about the american economy have him only be paid 50 thousand a year instead of the 400 thousand he makes. but that is a different story Reply

Everett
June 29, 2009 at 6:50 am

Dear Auto makers. As first as a thought and then to Innovations. I was wondering if the new High breads have a quick charge and a slow charge, May be a drawing device located in the batteries themselves. Having a little difficulty with the equations of innovations and productive standards. Will the industry
Be going to all electric as well? It would make Edison happy! Reply

Don Miller
June 29, 2009 at 10:15 am

What Tom Price Said. Diesel car ??? 80 % choose diesel autos in Europe.
The prize winning Ford Reflex elec/diesel - Best of Show in Detroit 2 yrs ago --120mph/60 mpg - where is it ??? Ford Flex? We want yesterday''s best
European diesel! How about putting up that picture of the Ford Reflex doing
a burnout on stage? THAT"S green enough for me! Reply

Randall
June 30, 2009 at 12:48 pm

If the government hadn't bailed all you bankrupt car companies out, it might have forced them to finally produce an electric engine which is by far the greatest demand out there The tecnology is available, please quit selling us out to the oil companies. There are people converting cars over to electric now, the company that starts mass producing a good elecric car will make huge profits. GM had one in 1999-2002 which they stopped even in the face of great demand. Another example of oil campanies buying you short sited people off. Reply

Scott Monty
June 30, 2009 at 2:51 pm

Last I checked, Randall, Ford did not receive funding as part of the Trouble Asset Relief Program, we did not file for bankruptcy, and have no plans to do so. And while we do have the technology to make great hybrids and electric vehicles, they are not yet mainstream or affordable enough for the majority of the driving public. Our sustainability strategy revolved around affordable fuel efficiency for the masses - much like Henry Ford was determined to create affordable transportation for all. We will continue to push forward and develop a number of solutions to address fuel economy. Scott Monty | Global Digital Communications | Ford Motor Company Reply

Deriq
July 6, 2009 at 9:50 pm

What would make the cars affordable for everyone?

What would make all the high prices of parts, to make a car, go away? Is it because of Trade agreements not allowing the U.S. to get less expensive products from abroad?

The World should be together on this people, let everyone get a piece of the Patent Pie.

Or we'll be forced to use Toyota's technology, and be priced up the Ying Yang for it.

We don't wish to kill our planet for greed. What will you do with the profits if the planet explodes? Offshore accounts? Reply

Del
July 8, 2009 at 11:33 am

I like Ford for what they have accomplished in these hard times. I also like Ford vehicles and have owned many. Now, when can I trade in my Mountaineer for a plug-in SUV? Once I can I will buy a new Ford or Toyota or any reasonable OEM. The industry is correct, I believe, there is quite a bit of pent-up demand. Reply

mack bettis
July 10, 2009 at 7:32 pm

I echo all the logic of 'honesty' in putting America first - Already, truck, bus and car fleets have and use CNG fuel and units are being installed all over - A Tula shop has customers in line waiting. Natural Gas was used by Phillips 66 in the late 20's and 30's running their fleets of vehicles from Bartlesville, OK to Borger, TX non stop. It's a dollar a gallon, but probably near $2 when distributors get in with service stations and enough to go cross country and find it. no wear on engine - it's totally clean nd no dust and trash from liquid fuels to wears the combustion parts. Join Boone in THE PICKENS POWER PARTY. Reply

david williams
July 14, 2009 at 5:01 pm

It's been really nice reading the good reviews of the Fusion Hybrid. I can't wait to see the Fiesta over here too. I drive a '06 Focus, which i can't say i love, but it's been really cheap to maintain and gets decent mpg, which is why i got it. I live in the US, but came from the UK, and something that many people over in the US don't seem to realize is that the diesels in Europe are viable because of 2 reasons.
1. The cost of gas in Europe (uk anyhow) is so high that it is the major cost of owning a vehicle. Gas has been taxed so highly that it is only 10% cheaper than diesel - in the USA the difference is closer to 20-25%, so you have to get 20% more mpg just to reach breakeven.
2. The cost of the cars in Europe is higher (once again, in the UK anyhow), so the price difference for a diesel car is less in % terms.

There's other things that i see people frequently make mistakes on:
1. The gallon is a different size. The UK gallon is 1/7th larger, so you're going to get 14% better mpg just 'cos you're using different units. Never mind the fact that they don't even use gallons anymore!
2. The mpg rating tests are different in different countries. Comparing an EU efficiency, or a japanese one to a US one is not valid.
I find it really weird that i hardly ever hear these points raised in explaining away at least some of the bad perception of American cars.
One other point that i think should be raised is the road systems themselves. There's a pretty big difference between how often you hit a stop sign or red light in the US and the UK. In the UK it seems the lights are phased a lot better, and there's extensive use of roundabouts. Over here, in the US, (at least around San Diego) there's new stop lights and stop signs all over the place. You spend half your time waiting at red lights and there's not even anyone else from the opposing direction. I would think fixing this stuff would be way more cost effective than scrapping old cars that people likely aren't driving anyhow.
Anyhow - just my perspective on some points i feel that people often overlook. Reply

Terry
July 15, 2009 at 6:24 am

If the Majority of the electricity created in the United States is done by Turbines, which use Coal, petroleum (oil), or natural gas to produce. How is an electrical pluggable/rechargeable automobile an alternative to fuel efficiency? This type of technology just looks at using petroleum in a different form and does not reduce our dependence on petroleum. The auto-industry needs to look at alternative fuels and not dependent still on petroleum, even if it is in a different form. Reply

Kevin
July 15, 2009 at 7:41 am

Keep buying hybrids and gas sipping cars so my Mustang has plenty to drink! The day I buy a hybrid or electric car is when gas hits $15/gallon. And when it does that I'll be worrying a lot more about other things like when a loaf of bread ends up costing us $20.

I don't know if a lot of you know but the electric grid is over 90% dependent on burning fossil fuels...coal. Last I checked its not exactly a renewable resource. If and whenever more plug in hybrids and electric cars hit the grids overnight we'll be able to thank those owners for increasing electricity costs...as if people aren't complaining about electricity costs NOW. Reply

John Viera
July 20, 2009 at 5:02 am

Terry and Kevin, you both bring up good points regarding the type of fuel used in the US electric grid (mainly coal) which has challenging CO2 emissions. My name is John Viera and I am the Environmental Strategy and Policy Director for Ford. Our plan is to offer a set of vehicles that run on a variety of different fuel types. Think of it as a "plug and play" strategy. As an example - take our Focus, which is a global car. We have powertrains in that vehicle that run on diesel in Europe, gas everywhere throughout hte world, ethanol in Brazil, and we have announced an Electric Vehicle (EV) Focus for the US. Obviously we can bring those powertrains to any region in the world if the market demands. Back to the electric grid in the US. It is predominately run by coal. When you look at the "wells to wheels" CO2 impact (that is measuring all of the CO2 from the extraction of oil from the ground, to refining, transport, dispensing in the vehicle and then running the vehicle) of running an EV (again in the US with our heavy coal electric grid) it is about the same "wells to wheels" CO2 impact as running a regular gas hybrid. However, as we move more toward renewable power (wind, etc.) the CO2 impact significantly improves for an EV. In regions, like the Pacific Northwest where there is a lot of hydro, you would immediately see an impactful CO2 benefit from running EVs. However, Ford is not a utility company so we can only encourage movement toward renewable electric power generation. What we can do is our part and produce EVs, which is in our plans as part of our "plug and play" strategy. John Viera Environmental Strategy and Policy Director Ford Motor Company John Viera \ Sustainable Business Strategies \ Ford Motor Company Reply

Timothy Wiese
September 24, 2009 at 12:14 am

I am in the market for a new car. However, I am waiting for a good plug in hybrid, that runs on diesel. Looks like I'll be waiting a long time for Ford, plus a few years for the prices and waiting lists to go down, and all the bugs to be worked out. Until then, I will maintain my 1991 Ford Ranger with 206,000 miles, because it is sensless to buy something now, when the market most needs it, only to have an "outdated" pure electric, or non-plug in hybrid 4-5 years from now. What I really should do is buy a 4BT Cummins and put it in my Ranger, get 40 mpg.... theres an idea! People are doing it on YouTube, maybe Ford should take note. Reply

joe
October 13, 2009 at 8:55 am

how quick can the electric cars go ? Reply

Jesse
November 9, 2009 at 11:20 pm

It's about time we start to take interest in better ways to make automobiles. The electric car has been developed and efficient for years. Many people who leased the first electric car, wanted to by them. The automaker wouldn't let them. They worked very well. I don't think the automaker expected them to really work when they started to develope it. Just think how the electric car goes against the grain for oil companys, automakers and the gov't. It has been kept from us for years. "who killed the electric car" (History Channel, I think), shows how the electric car could have been for sale to the USA years ago. Sad part is, there's too much money for everyone associated with the oil companys, auto makers and political powers that kept this technology off the sales floor. It's refreshing to see more people in the general public interested in electric cars. Maybe this time the technology won't be pushed under the rug again. Reply

Howard Fink
February 22, 2010 at 1:48 pm

Thomas Edison bought one.
Companies like Baker Motor Vehicle of Cleveland marketed directly to those 'city drivers.' Baker presented its Electric Stanhope as 'dainty, immaculately clean, full of good service, durable, simple to operate, and always ready to go...ideal for city use.' The Electric Stanhope quickly became the nation's most popular battery-powered vehicle after its introduction in 1900. This 1903 model originally retailed for $1,600 and is a typical example of the electric car at the height of its popularity. Reply

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