Ford COO Mark Fields: electrified vehicles could be up to 25% of sales by 2020

I was fortunate to get one-on-one chats with two top GM technology leaders (John Lauckner and Larry Nitz) at this year's Detroit North American International Auto Show, but no other automaker offered that opportunity. However, while I was resting and enjoying lunch in Ford's media lounge, in walked Ford's newly-promoted chief operating officer (and likely successor to CEO Alan Mulally) Mark Fields.

Fields told us a year ago that Ford's powertrain strategy is to continue downsizing engines and using EcoBoost(turbocharging and direct fuel injection), and added that vehicle electrification will play a major role in meeting federal corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) requirements that mandate mpg boosts of more than four percent per year through 2025. "By the end of this decade," he said, "we'll see from 10 to 25 percent of our sales being electrified – conventional hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electrics."

But how will Ford keep costs down to get their sales volumes up? "Our approach is electrifying platforms, as opposed to single vehicles," he said, "which has a lot of engineering efficiencies. And our manufacturing strategy will allow us to flex. For example, our Wayne [MI] Plant will produce the regular gas-powered Focus, the electric Focus and the C-Max hybrid."

This year, I hit him again with the big CAFE question first.

MF: The real positive is that we have a single national standard vs. individual states making their own standards. You can imagine the cost that would be involved with that.

Our approach is, "The power of choice" [among] EcoBoost engines, plug-in hybrids, conventional hybrids and battery-electric vehicles. We'll continue to evaluate customer demand in conjunction with the government agencies, and there's a mid-term review in 2017. Electrified vehicles will be a big part of meeting those standards, but we have to make sure there is consumer demand to help us do that.

ABG: You also have a California ZEV mandate, and other states will follow.

MF: It's a process of our overall support of higher fuel economy, and also a process where we will have continual dialogue with the relevant government agencies to make sure that it's right for consumers and affordable for both consumers and the industry.

ABG: Do you believe those agencies will give the subject a fair hearing?

"The federal government has a vested interest in making sure that the automobile industry is successful."

MF: I believe so because, as we went through the discussions to get to the one national standard, they were very good discussions. The federal government has a vested interest in making sure that the automobile industry – one of the key industries in leading economic recovery and driving the economy on an ongoing basis – is successful, to provide not only direct jobs but also the indirect jobs that are associated with it. Every study says there are nine or 10 jobs supported by every auto industry job.

ABG: That understanding may exist at working levels, but what about the politicians from whom they get their orders?

MF: That's why it's important for us to make sure that we have identified the problem. That's what we did to get to the one national standard, and that's what we'll have to do when we get to that mid-term review.



ABG: You seem confident that Ford will be capable of meeting both federal CAFE and California ZEV mandates, but can you do it while maintaining affordability and desirability?

"Do not underestimate the ingenuity of engineers."

MF: Do not underestimate the ingenuity of engineers. Think about the fuel economy that we get from our F-150s, for example, along with their towing and cargo hauling capabilities. If I had told you five years ago that we'll be able to get 25 miles per gallon on the highway from an F-150 pickup and get even more payload that we were getting then, you probably would have said, "Where is that bar where you been drinking? I want some of that too."

ABG: But that's today. It's a long way from here to there.

MF: Yes, but we have time. We don't have to do it overnight, and we have a plan. I do think the cost thing is an open question, and a lot of it depends on consumer demand and what costs consumers are willing to pay. Those are things we have to continue working on while also making sure that were having the right discussions with the various government entities to make sure that we can deliver that affordably to the consumer, and to the business.




I also chatted last year with Sherif Marakby, Ford's director of vehicle electrification, and asked him whether Ford was considering a Chevy Volt-type extended-range EV, or "mild" hybrids like GM's eAssist? He responded that they had built and tested prototypes of each and didn't find their benefits worth their costs. "We believe our strategy of using our power-split architecture in plug-ins is a better value for the customer, and better efficiency, and we're proving that with the numbers.

"We believe the full hybrid is the right solution."

"We have a Fusion plug-in with better efficiency than the smaller Volt, so we have no plans to do that kind of system. And we believe our EcoBoost technology provides the same benefit as eAssist at lower cost, as proven by our 37-mpg EcoBoost versus any eAssist product. We believe the full hybrid is the right solution, and we are best-in-class in full hybrids."

Maybe so, but Ford's hybrid fuel economy is being questioned because virtually no one can achieve their EPA-rated 47-miles-per-gallon efficiency in real-world driving. Nor, to be fair, can many (if any) full hybrids today. I just drove an Acura ILX (an upscale Honda Civic) Hybrid on a 500-mile trip and averaged 33.2 mpg. Its official ratings are 39 mpg city, 38 highway and 38 combined.

Regarding the mild-hybrid approach – criticized by some as questionable value for money – GM is planning to offer it on increasing numbers of vehicles. By comparison, Chevy's mid-size eAssist Malibu's EPA economy is 25 mpg city, 37 highway vs. Ford's (much more powerful and expensive) 2.0L EcoBoost Fusion's 22/33, and it also compares well to Honda's similarly-priced four-cylinder Accord (26/35) and Nissan's Altima (23/32).

I'm not advocating anyone's technology, since virtually all automakers are working hard and doing a great job of improving their vehicles' efficiency while containing cost, and each is pursuing its own individual path to 54.5-mpg CAFE. But I am suggesting that potential buyers should do their research, test-drive and compare their leading candidates and decide which offers the best value for their wants and needs.

Source: Autoblog Green

2013 Detroit Auto Show Preview: Diesels, Electrics And Hybrids

Next week is the annual Detroit Auto Show, one of the most important events on the automotive calendar and increasingly a place for car companies to show off new green technology. Given consumer tastes and the trends in the market, it should come as no surprise that the list of green cars, whether we’re talking compacts, diesels, electrics or hybrids, grows longer with each running of the show.

For 2013 there are some exciting new vehiclescoming onto the market, including some we never thought would be reported on here at Green Car Reports.

Once again, our team of reporters will be on hand in Detroit to bring you all the breaking news, plus live photos and video footage.

In the lead-up to the first press day on Monday, January 14, let’s take a quick look at some of thenew cars and concepts scheduled to be unveiled.

Concept Cars

Honda Urban SUV Concept: Honda will preview a sporty subcompact SUV in Detroit that’s based on the Fit platform and could hint at the new styling direction for the Japanese automaker’s small cars. Honda hasn’t revealed many details on the concept, apart from a sole teaser image, though the automaker does mention that it combines the spacious and functional interior of the Fit with a more rugged SUV design.

Via Motors X-Truck: Electric vehicle startups come and go, but it's harder to ignore one fronted by “father of the Chevy Volt” Bob Lutz. Yes, we are, of course, talking about Via Motors, which last year in Detroit debuted a Chevy pickup converted to electric power.

Via has started taking orders for the truck though deliveries are yet to happen, though that hasn’t stopped the company from announcing several new models. One of these will be an extended-range electric pickup with more than 800 horsepower on tap.

Toyota Furia Concept: We’re not sure if Toyota’s upcoming Furia concept will be a green car, but what we know from the few teasers released for it is that it will be a compact sedan with styling elements borrowed from last year’s NS4 plug-in hybrid sedan concept. We do know that Toyota’s Corolla sedan is due for an update soon, so perhaps this new Furia might be a preview.

Nissan Resonance Concept: Announced on Friday, we know very little at all about the resonance concept, other than the single line of info and moody picture Nissan has revealed. The Resonance crossover, says Nissan, fuses bold styling with a hybrid-electric powertrain... and that's about it. We'll bring you more when it's revealed on January 15.

Nissan's Resonance Crossover Concept

Volkswagen CrossCoupe TDI Concept: The CrossCoupe concept is nothing new, having initially appeared at Geneva last year, but could VW be hinting at something by showing it again in Detroit? Time will tell, but quoted European economy of 130 mpg certainly gets our attention.

Production Cars

When it comes to green cars that are actually coming onto the market in the near future, the list is surprisingly long. Some of the cars are redesigned versions of existing models or simply facelifts, but there are some exciting newcomers too.

2014 Cadillac ELR: The ELR can actually trace its roots back to the Converj concept car unveiled in 2009, which proved so popular it was almost immediately approved for production. GM’s bankruptcy at the time put those plans on hold but then in 2011 the Converj reappeared, this time labeled the ELR.

Now, finally, we get to see the production version GM first envisaged all those years ago. While no official details have been released, the car is expected to be powered by an upgraded version of the Voltec extended-range electric drivetrain found in the Chevrolet Volt. In fact, the ELR will be the first model after the Volt to utilize the system.

2013 Nissan Leaf: Nissan is getting ready to start production of its Leaf electric car at its plant in Smyrna, Tennessee. This will be the first time that the car is produced outside of Japan and we should be seeing one of the locally-produced versions in Detroit next week.

The U.S. version of the updated 2013 Leaf, whichrecently went on sale in Japan, will be built among Altima and Maxima sedans on the existing assembly line. You may recall that Nissan has already started production of the electric motors and lithium-ion batteries, and soon full Leaf hatchbacks will be rolling off the line too.

The rumored lower-equipment model is now confirmed, as the Leaf S. A 6.6 kW charger is optional on this model, and standard on higher trim levels. A host of other improvements should boost the Leaf's appeal.

2014 Mercedes-Benz E Class: The Mercedes-Benz E Class, in diesel and hybrid trims, is one of our favorite green cars as it offers not only generous space but plenty of luxury amenities too. The car has just been facelifted for the 2014 model year, receiving tweaked styling, new driver assistance systems and a new four-cylinder diesel option.

That’s right. In fall 2013, an E250 BlueTEC with 4Matic all-wheel drive will become available, offering a four-cylinder diesel to the E Class range. Rated at 190 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, the E250 BlueTEC promises good, if not scintillating, performance while maximizing fuel economy. The E400 Hybrid will continue unchanged.

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class leaked

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class: Mercedes-Benz is also set to debut its first compact car in the U.S., the long-awaited CLA Class. The stylish four-door coupe is expected to be revealed officially this month, though images of the car have already hit the Web. Based on the same front-wheel-drive platform underpinning the latest A Class and B Class sold overseas, this will be Mercedes’ only compact model in the U.S. until a GLA Class compact SUV joins it next year.

Hit the next page to see all the rest of the green car news surrounding the upcoming 2013 Detroit Auto Show. And remember, you can catch our full Detroit coverage at any time via our dedicated show hub.

2014 Jeep Cherokee EcoDiesel: The long-awaited diesel Jeep will be making its debut at Detroit, freshly equipped with Chrysler's 3.0-liter V-6 diesel engine. With 406 pounds-feet of torque it'll tow with the best of them, yet 33 mpg is possible in highway driving. The Cherokee already sells well, and the new diesel model should widen its appeal further--in a diesel market expected to make up 10 percent of total vehicle sales by 2015.

And The Rest

Thomas Edison: Yes, thanks to Via Motors, American icon Thomas Edison will be making an appearance, in holographic form, at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. The holographic presentation titled A Conversation with Thomas Edison will be presented during VIA Motors' press conference. In the presentation, a stunningly life-like hologram of Edison will engage in an interactive conversation with Via’s Bob Lutz about the future of the electric vehicle.

North American Car and Truck of the Year awards: Each year a group of journalists pick the bestcar and the truck offered in the North American market. This year there are a couple of interesting nominees from both the car and truck categories. For the car category, we have the Ford Fusion and Honda Accord, both of which offer regular gas models as well as hybrids and even plug-in hybrid models. Interestingly, in the truck category a Ford C-Max has made it into the final round.

2013 Nissan Versa: Though it’s not yet confirmed, there is a good chance that the U.S. version of the 2013 Nissan Versa will be revealed in Detroit. Nissan has confirmed that its next Versa hatchback will use the same platform as the Nissan Note sold overseas and will echo many of its styling cues. Meanwhile, Nissan will also be updating the Versa sedan for 2013.

Source: Green Car Reports