Ford Builds 2013 Escape Pace Vehicle for Nascar Races

Posted on May 16, 2012 by admin

Nascar driver Matt Kenseth and Louisville assembly plant manager John Savona with the Ford Escape pace vehicle.

Ford Motor Co. rolled out a 2013 Escape pace vehicle that will make its debut during the Nascar race weekend at Kentucky Speedway on June 28 through 30.

Former Nascar Cup champion and two-time Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth unveiled the specially prepared compact SUV at Ford’s Louisville, Ky., assembly plant where the Escape is built. The vehicle is the latest in a series of unusual Ford pace cars. A 2012 Focus Electric paced last month’s Nascar Sprint Cup race at Richmond, and the company’s Fusion Hybrid started the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2008.

In Kentucky the new Escape will pace the Thursday Camping World Truck series UNOH 225 race, Friday’s Nationwide series Feed the Children 300 contest and the Sprint Cup series Quaker State 400 race in prime time on Saturday.

The car maker’s pace-car program and its position as a sponsor and “official automotive vehicle” partner of Kentucky Speedway are part of a broad effort to convert consumers’ enthusiasm for stock-car racing into sales in its showrooms.

Early this year Ford revealed the redesigned Fusion racing car that its Nascar teams will use next season. The racer bears a strong resemblance to the 2013 Fusion road car and is aimed at making a connection with everyday drivers.

Courtesy of blogs.wsj.com
Posted in Automotive Industry, Ford | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford’s Alan Mulally on the Future of Driving

Posted on May 1, 2012 by admin

Imagine a sensor that monitors blood sugar and can tell when you are on the verge of being in an unsafe state to drive.

NEW YORK — If you are trying to get a bead on what kind of car to buy next, you’d figure asking Alan Mulally, CEO of Ford, would be a safe bet. Should you go hybrid, plug-in-hybrid, clean diesel, high efficiency gas, or all-electric? Mulally doesn’t have an answer for you.

Ford is making bets on all those propulsion systems, because what drivers need and want, versus how global energy markets are going to shake out is far from clear even for a massive auto manufacturer. “We don’t know what is going to be the preferred long-term solution,” Mulally says. “The point of view we have is that we are all going to be paying more for energy worldwide.”

With that as a starting point, Ford is focusing on bringing better fuel efficiency and increased CO2 reduction to its entire lineup of cars and trucks, whether it’s internal combustion or electricity moving the wheels. “It’s clear we need to invest in all of those because we don’t know which one is going to come along the fastest,” Mulally says. It’s simple economics, he adds.

How people make choices will depend a great deal on how quickly energy prices rise, and whether battery technologies in particular become economic in comparison. “Right now a battery costs $15,000 for a 100-mile range,” Mulally says. “Now, as energy goes up, you can start to make a case for the economics of all-electric. But the most important thing is finding a way to manufacture electric batteries in a cost-efficient way.”

While China has been cranking up its production of lithium ion chemistry batteries in particular, the Ford CEO still sees the U.S. as a potential center for battery manufacturing. “Our ability to design, create, and innovate is incredible; there’s no reason we can’t continue to compete with the best in the world,” Mulally says.

Embedding other technologies in cars is also an area of U.S. focus and Ford’s in particular. Along with efficiency, safety, and smart design, connectivity has become a key requirement of car buyers, Mulally says. Ford, through its partnership with Microsoft, is using smartphones and voice commands as the way to bring a variety of apps and services to drivers. The newest Ford SYNC-equipped vehicles, can field 10,000 voice commands and growing, everything from “directions home” to “what can I see?” and “what can I eat?” Some Ford models can tell you when you are weaving out of your lane, even parallel park your car for you.

Ford engineers are also working on bringing health- and wellness-focused apps to driving. Imagine a sensor that monitors blood sugar and can tell when you are on the verge of being in an unsafe state to drive. Or a sensor that monitors heart rate and can tell you it’s time to take a break from especially intense driving conditions. “Think of it as the end of road rage,” Mulally says.

On the subject of driverless cars, Mulally, who spent decades in the aerospace industry, is very clear on the future.

“The driver will be responsible,” he says.

If you parse that carefully, that doesn’t necessarily mean the driver’s hands will always be on the wheel. But as the aerospace industry has found no amount of automation is a substitute for an experienced pilot when it comes to anticipating and correcting for a potentially dangerous situation. “There will always be a person responsible for driving that car,” Mulally says.

Courtesy of wired.com
Posted in Ford | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Join Ford for a Live Chat About Sustainability

Posted on April 17, 2012 by admin

Peter Glazter and Adrian Grenier

Ford Motor Company teamed up with SHFT.com, an award-winning sustainability lifestyle platform, last year to put the power in the hands of millions of Americans who are interested in being more eco-conscious.

On April 18, 2012, Bill Ford, Ford Executive Chairman, and SHFT founders, actor and filmmaker Adrian Grenier and filmmaker, Peter Glatzer, will premiere the first set of digital shorts from their documentary series, “The Big SHFT: 10 Innovators Changing Our World.”

The series profiles cutting-edge innovators who are shaping new sustainable businesses and influencing positive change around the world. Examining topics from food and fashion to urbanization, technology and design, the series puts the spotlight on today’s game changers in sustainability. The series was produced by SHFT.com co-founders Adrian Grenier and Peter Glatzer and was directed by Gilly Barnes.

At 3:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 18, 2012, join Adrian and Peter for a live chat about SHFT.com, their commitment to sustainability and their work with Ford.

Through the documentary series and other programs from live events to film festivals, Ford and SHFT.com continue to collaborate to inspire consumers to live a more sustainable life. In addition to the documentary launch, Ford will be charging into Earth Day by launching new initiatives that encourage people to take a more sustainable approach in life year-round with a national electrified vehicle education program and multi-city tour.

Courtesy of ford.com
Posted in Automotive Industry, Ford | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford revives Lincoln with glass roof and “date nights”

Posted on April 3, 2012 by admin

The 2013 Lincoln MKZ automobile is seen during a news conference in New York, April 2, 2012.

Ford Motor Co is rolling out new Lincoln models with a panoramic glass roof option to lure younger, more affluent buyers, as the No. 2 U.S. automaker tries to revive a luxury brand whose sales peaked two decades ago.

The new signature retractable 15-square-foot roof is just one feature designed to distinguish the 2013 Lincoln MKZ sedan in the crowded luxury market.

Ford is betting that fresh designs, glossier showrooms and a personalized approach to service will help drive sales. T he MKZ, which will be unveiled at the New York auto show this week, is one of seven new or revamped Lincoln models to be introduced by 2015 intended to resuscitate the brand.

“We realize we have a long journey ahead of us, but I think we have set a good foundation for it from the product and also what we’re trying to do with the consumer experience,” said Mark Fields, head of Ford operations in North and South America, at a media event in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood.

Lincoln was the top-selling luxury nameplate in the United States in the 1990s, but last year, sales totaled 85,643, less than half the vehicles sold by Lexus, Toyota Motor Co’s (7203.T) (TM.N) luxury brand.

Ford aims to lower the average age of Lincoln buyers to 57 years from 65, and raise the target average income by more than 50 percent to nearly $160,000 a year.

DATE NIGHT

Lincoln is also hoping that over time half of its buyers will come from other luxury brands. Currently, Lincoln’s “conquest” rate is 37 percent.

To encourage more car shoppers to test drive a Lincoln, Ford is considering initiatives like “the Lincoln date night,” Ford’s head of global marketing, Jim Farley said.

“To reward you for sampling the brand, we’d like to take you out to dinner, on Lincoln,” Farley said. “It’s a great way to eliminate that friction that so many conquest customers will have.”

Ford has not released pricing information on the MKZ, nor has it disclosed how much the glass roof option will cost. The MKZ competes against the Cadillac CTS and the Lexus ES.

Lincoln is offering the MKZ with three different powertrain options, including a hybrid that can get 41 miles per gallon in the city, and a lane monitoring system. As a standard feature, the MKZ will also come with MyLincoln Touch, a touch-screen entertainment and navigation system.

The MKZ is the first Lincoln model since the 1970s to be crafted by a group of designers devoted exclusively to the luxury brand. The design team is headed by Max Wolff, a former Cadillac exterior designer at General Motors Co (GM.N).

“They are really trying to make an effort to differentiate them from a content standpoint, from a ride and handling standpoint, a quietness standpoint,” IHS Automotive analyst Rebecca Lindland said.

Courtesy of Reuters

Posted in Automotive Industry | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Ford Is Back Aboard the Ship with the Tom Joyner Foundation to Support Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Posted on March 20, 2012 by admin

This marks the sixth consecutive year Ford and radio personality Tom Joyner have partnered to support education and to push students to "Go Further"

This weekend the Ford Escape is doing something it has never done before – it will sail for seven days aboard the 2012 Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage® as part of Ford’s partnership with the Tom Joyner Foundation. This marks the sixth consecutive year Ford has been the automotive exclusive sponsor and the first year Ford is the official presenting sponsor of the cruise that supports Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This year, Ford will give away the keys to the all-new 2013 Escape to one lucky listener of the Tom Joyner Morning Show or cruise attendee as part of the “2013 Ford Escape Key to Win” giveaway.

“We are thrilled to be back aboard the ship for the first time as the official presenting sponsor of the cruise. It is our brand promise to “Go Further” as a company when it comes to not only our products but also to our communities,” said Shawn Lollie, Ford manager, Multicultural Marketing. “This partnership continues to be one that we are committed to and we are looking forward to being able to once again be a part of an event that supports higher education within our community.”

The cruise, which is in its 13th year, will set sail from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., on Sunday, March 25 and will make stops in Ocho Rios, Jamaica and both Nassau and CoCoCay Bahamas. Cruisers will have the chance to enjoy more than 30 musical and comedic performances and activities, including a special performance of jazz and hip hop with Grammy Award-winning actress, rapper and singer Queen Latifah.

2013 Ford Escape Key to Win promotion

The 2013 Ford Escape Key to Win promotion will kick off March 26 and run through April 6. Cruise attendees and all Tom Joyner Morning Show listeners are encouraged to register by visiting www.blackamericaweb.com to submit for a chance to win a 2013 Ford Escape. In addition to the Escape giveaway, Ford will also be bringing along for the third year Play Date(TM), an entertainment-based company that offers an alternative to the traditional party by using interactive games like Dance Commands and Simon Says to spark up the fun. The Escape will be the focal point for all of Ford’s activities this year.

“We’re glad Ford is sailing with us again on the Fantastic Voyage,” said Tom Joyner. “It almost isn’t a Fantastic Voyage cruise without a Ford vehicle onboard! We are thankful that they continue to share our vision for supporting students at HBCUs and partnering with us for the ultimate Party with a Purpose.”

To register to win a 2013 Ford Escape as part of the 2013 Ford Escape Key to Win promotion, be sure to visit www.blackamericaweb.com .

2013 Ford Escape

The new Escape is greener and features a sleeker, more modern design, yet still maintains its family-friendly intelligent functionality. Escape features a number of class-leading technology features like the hands-free power liftgate, active park assist and upgraded MyFord Touch.

To learn more about the newly designed 2013 Ford Escape, log onto www.ford.com .

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 164,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com .

Courtesy of marketwatch.com

Posted in Automotive Industry, Ford | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford SYNC Upgrade ‘Safer’ For Driving And Texting

Posted on March 6, 2012 by admin

Ford CEO Alan Mulally presenting the Ford SYNC system at an electronics show in Germany last year.

Ford is making it easier to access computer devices in its cars, enabling users of iPad, Kindle, Nook and other tablets to control their devices with their voices instead of their hands.

The move is bound to set atwitter safety advocates, who argue there are already too many distractions behind the wheel. Just last month the issue again took front stage after the death of 18-year-old Taylor Sauer, who crashed her car into a tanker truck while texting.

Ford said the upgrade of its SYNC system is out of concern for driver safety.

“Drivers are bringing these devices into the car already,” said Alan Hall, a spokesman for Ford. “We’re allowing them to access the content in a safer way.”

Ford began shipping upgrades to its SYNC voice-activated entertainment system on Monday, with the tablet compatibility built in. The automaker has taken a big hit to its quality reputation because of SYNC, which consumers have complained is slow, unreliable and hard to use.

SYNC has already been the focus of debate over what should be allowed behind the wheel. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has made distracted driving a top priority, and last month said he wants automakers to block any devices that allow texting, browsing, tweeting or dialing from their vehicles.

Jake Fisher, senior automotive editor for Consumer Reports, said there is some logic behind Ford’s desire to broaden the types of devices drivers can use in the car. The SYNC system is safer than holding the device and trying to use it while driving, he said.

“While abstinence may be the safest choice, Ford realizes that drivers aren’t ready for it and has decided to give its customers condoms,” Fisher said.

Ford said the SYNC upgrade allows more devices to work with voice activation or through controls on the steering wheel, although most still won’t charge. Devices including the iPad, Kindle Fire, HP Touchpad, Nook Color and Sony Tablet S need more electricity than Ford’s outlets provide. SYNC will allow drivers to play audio files, but they won’t be able to read books on the SYNC screen.

“Driving is the top priority when behind the wheel,” said Jeff Ostrowski, Ford’s supervisor of SYNC software development. “Providing voice-controlled access to a user’s tablet is another way we help ensure that priority doesn’t shift just because there’s a new device being brought into the car.”

Ford hopes the iPad 3, set for release tomorrow, will be compatible with the upgrade, Ostrowski said. Ford engineers will have to order iPad 3s like everyone else, he said.

Courtesy of huffingtonpost.com
Posted in Automotive Industry, Ford | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I Had To Have Brain Surgery To Get My ‘Stang

Posted on February 21, 2012 by admin

February 15, 2012

My love affair for the Ford Mustang started over 25 years ago when my family owned a red ‘65 Mustang. At the time I was just a young pup and only had the privilege of riding in it instead of driving it. I carried that love affair throughout the years knowing that one day I would have my own. I had my two children in my 20’s and determined that this car would not be appropriate to tote around my kids in their car seats, so once again I had to wait for my dream car. After having brain surgery to relieve the pain I was having in my head years later, I realized that life is too short and it was time to make my dream come true. I finally picked out my 2011 Kona Blue Metallic Mustang with the pony package. At the dealership, the salesman joked around with my husband and asked “What did she do to earn this card?” I simply replied….”not much, I just had brain surgery to get this car.” And so I lived happily ever after….with my ‘Stang!

Courtesy of media.ford.com

Posted in Automotive Industry, Ford | Tagged , | Leave a comment

From Radiohead to Vivaldi – How Ford Used an Eclectic Playlist to Perfect the Sound System in the New B-MAX

Posted on February 7, 2012 by admin

Ford B-MAX Engineers

Every car – like every room or auditorium – has unique acoustics qualities. The size and shape of the cabin, the materials in the seats and dashboard, the ratio of glass and steel – all of it impact the sound quality in a new car.

When Ford engineers set out to fine tune the perfect sound system to match the acoustics of the new B-MAX multi-activity vehicle, they found they needed a special tool — the perfect music playlist.

Radiohead, Black-Eyed Peas, the Eagles and jazz legend John Coltrane rubbed shoulders with classical composers Vivaldi and Carl Orff on the B-MAX playlist as engineers used key moments in the songs and pieces to fine-tune the B-MAX sound system.

The classic opening to the Eagles’ anthem Hotel California features the ideal “dry” sound for testing bass, ambience and tone, says Ford of Europe audio engineer Matthias Terstegge. He should know. He has listened to it thousands of times while developing the B-MAX and other Ford cars.

He also listened out for the powerful kick bass in Black-Eyed Peas’ track Just Can’t Get Enough to test the woofers in the B-MAX; tuning the low frequency filters in the amplifier unit to retain a strong and punchy bass sound without door buzz and rattles.

Bass sounds are evenly distributed but the treble is sensitive to seating position, so engineers tuned the tweeters using Vivaldi’s Four Seasons concertos and John Coltrane tracks to ensure a good front/rear balance. The soaring Four Seasons violins were an exacting challenge for the B-MAX’s high-frequency tweeters. If they’re not set right, the sound could have been more piercing than pleasurable.

“Creating a great-sounding system is much more than choosing a good quality amplifier and speakers,” says Terstegge, a guitarist whose passion for music and electrical engineering background led him to his current role. He compiled the B-MAX playlist from other experts’ recommendations, tracks from his own collection or a song he heard on the radio and jotted down the name.

“Each car interior has completely different acoustics, and detailed tuning can make a dramatic difference to what the driver hears,” he says. “The human ear can detect subtle differences in the sound and you can’t beat simply listening to the system for that final tuning. The tracks we use really help identify what needs tuning. But after thousands of plays, I feel like I never want to hear them again.”

The all-new Ford B-MAX will be available with an exclusive premium quality Sony audio system. It features eight high performance speakers and a 4 x 25 Watt Sony amplifier. Drivers can select music from the built-in CD/radio unit, including Digital Audio Broadcast, or from their own portable music players connected via USB or Bluetooth.

Courtesy of media.ford.com
Posted in Automotive Industry, Ford | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

What Future Ford Vehicles Might Look Like [VIDEO]

Posted on January 24, 2012 by admin

You’ve heard us use the term “global design” before on TheFordStory.com; it basically refers to the foundation of new Ford products that can be used worldwide. To simplify that even further, it’s like automotive DNA. And, it’s also part of the One Ford product plan.

“The Ford Evos Concept is a strong statement of intent from the global design team, and highlights the compelling vision we have for our future products. We believe that the new generation of buyers around the world has higher expectations for a more premium design language in all products,” explained J Mays, Group Vice President, Design and Chief Creative Officer.

Take special note of the interior and exterior of the four-seater. There’s a fastback roof profile, which screams aerodynamic efficiency. There’s a sporty appearance. Its architecture is muscular. And about the face: The familiar Ford inverted trapezoid grille has been moved upward, which you might have already noticed on the new Focus Electric and Focus ST.

But it’s not only the design that’s important here. “The Ford Evos Concept unites three key elements which are at the core of our One Ford global product strategy: outstanding design, smart technologies and fuel economy leadership,” said Derrick Kuzak, Group Vice President of Global Product Development.

Driver interaction and awareness are key features. You’ve heard references to “the cloud”? It’s alive and well here. The technology on the Ford Evos Concept reflects a new generation of driver interaction and awareness currently under development in the Ford Research and Innovation laboratories. Seamless connectivity between the vehicle and the driver’s “personal cloud” of information is at the heart of its capabilities. Ford researchers are focusing efforts on delivering four key customer benefits: personalization, enhancement of the driving experience, looking after the driver’s well-being and smart electrified powertrain optimization.

Using information from the cloud, the vehicle can provide the same connected lifestyle the driver experiences at home or office. The car knows the driver and automatically adapts handling, steering and engine controls to deliver a dynamic driving experience. For example, imagine if it could automatically play the same music or news program that was just streaming at home, or heat or cool the interior to an ideal temperature before you got in, without input from you, since it would predict your departure time based on your calendar. Wirelessly communicating with devices in the home, it could close the garage door and switch off the lights automatically as it pulls away.

Learning driver habits and capabilities, the technology can overlay map and weather data sourced from the cloud to adjust powertrain, steering, suspension and braking systems for comfort and safety.

And Ford researchers have already developed technologies focused on driver wellness, such as the heart-rate monitoring seat and certified allergy-free interiors. With a seamless connection to the cloud, the Ford Evos Concept monitors the physical state and workload of the driver and adjusts the driving experience accordingly. The concept is also equipped with advanced air quality sensors and filtration systems to help allergy sufferers. Location-aware, it can access air-quality data from the cloud and proactively suggest a healthier route to the destination.

In dynamic driving situations, the vehicle may simplify the appearance of the instrument panel to display only necessary gauge information and switch the driver’s connected smartphone to Do Not Disturb mode to help keep the focus on the road.

What about performance? The Ford Evos Concept is a state-of-the-art lithium-ion plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, providing the same next-generation performance and fuel economy as the Ford C-MAX Energi scheduled for introduction in North America in 2012 and Europe in 2013. Cloud connectivity would provide further opportunities to enhance performance and efficiency by selecting the optimum combination of powertrain modes for any given journey. Ford researchers are working to increase understanding of driver behavior, develop accurate protocols to predict it and enhance the trip by providing the smartest use of fuel or battery for the situation. The cloud-optimized powertrain would automatically “know” when to save energy and switch modes, using information about the vehicle’s predicted travel route, any emission zone restrictions during the journey and current weather conditions.

“We wanted the Ford Evos Concept to give a clear message about where Ford design is heading – shaping vehicles that are fun to drive, have a premium appeal but, above all, are stunningly beautiful,” said J. “The first fruit of this vision will be ready sooner than you might think – you’ll see it in around four months rather than four years. We can’t wait to introduce the first production car to include this new Ford design to our global customers.”
Courtesy of thefordstory.com
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Ford, REPREVE to Recycle 2 Million Plastic Bottles Back into the New 2012 Focus Electric and Other Vehicles

Posted on January 17, 2012 by admin

* Ford, through the use of REPREVE®, plans to divert about 2 million post-consumer plastic bottles from landfills for use in new vehicles beginning with the 2012 Focus Electric – the first vehicle to feature branded REPREVE’s seat fabric made from a hybrid blend of recycled plastic bottles and post-consumer waste

* The companies will collect bottles at events throughout the year, beginning with the North American International Auto Show and Consumer Electronics Show, that will be recycled back into REPREVE recycled fibers

* Focus Electric is the first vehicle with interior materials made of 100 percent clean technology, including the use of REPREVE recycled fibers; seating in each vehicle interior uses roughly 22 recycled plastic bottles

* Recycling effort is under way to raise awareness that only 29 percent of plastic bottles

Ford, through the use of REPREVE®, plans to divert about 2 million post-consumer plastic bottles for use in the new Focus Electric and other new vehicles for the next model year.

The Focus Electric contains REPREVE-based fabrics that are made from about 22 recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles in each car. This is the first Ford vehicle to have an interior made from 100 percent clean technology.

“Ford is committed to delivering vehicles with leading fuel efficiency while targeting at least 25 percent clean technology in interior materials across our lineup,” says Carol Kordich, lead designer of Sustainable Materials for Ford. “The Focus Electric highlights this commitment as Ford’s first gas-free vehicle, and the first in the automotive industry to use branded REPREVE.”

“After decades of education, the United States PET bottle recycling rate is only at 29 percent, about half the rate of Europe,” said Roger Berrier, president and COO of Unifi Inc. (NYSE: UFI). “We hope this recycling initiative with Ford will help raise visibility around the importance of recycling with a goal to drive recycling rates to 100 percent, diverting millions of plastic bottles from entering the waste stream and potentially back into REPREVE-branded fibers.”

Ford and Unifi will help collect some of the bottles destined for Ford vehicles by recycling plastic bottles from the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) taking place in Detroit on Jan. 9-10 and the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on Jan. 10-13.

Quality on the inside
The REPREVE seat fabric is a polyester fiber made from a hybrid blend of recycled materials, including post-industrial fiber waste and post-consumer waste such as the plastic water bottles made of PET.

Using REPREVE also reduces energy consumption by offsetting the need to use newly refined crude oil for production. The technology meets all Ford design and comfort requirements to help ensure the Focus Electric and other vehicles meet the company’s high performance standards.

“We aimed to make the Focus Electric the most overall sustainable vehicle available to consumers, from using clean technology to overall vehicle efficiency,” said Kordich.

The Focus Electric, Ford’s first all-electric passenger car, started production in December 2011 at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich. When full production is under way in March, the car’s seat fabric could contain plastic bottles collected at NAIAS or CES.

Eco-conscious solutions
Ford’s “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” commitment is part of the company’s broader global sustainability strategy to reduce its environmental footprint while at the same time accelerating the development of advanced, fuel-efficient vehicle technologies around the world.

Currently Ford vehicles are approximately 90 percent recyclable at end of life. By using recycled content in its vehicles and ensuring its parts are recyclable, Ford is leading the industry in recycling efforts. Ford’s goal is to have its vehicles be 100 percent recyclable.

In 2009, Ford mandated that fabric suppliers use a minimum of 25 percent recycled content for all 2009 and beyond model year vehicles. Since then, 37 different fabrics meeting the requirements have been developed and incorporated into Ford vehicles.

Examples include soy foam seat cushions and head restraints, wheat straw-filled plastic, castor oil foam in instrument panels, recycled resins for underbody systems, recycled yarns on seat covers and natural-fiber plastic for interior components.

Courtesy of media.ford.com
Posted in Automotive Industry, Ford | Tagged , | 2 Comments