Ford Hits CO2 Emissions Targets — 8 Years Early!

Earlier this week, Ford announced that it had achieved its stated goal to reduce the CO2 emissions of its manufacturing facilities to more sustainable levels. The kicker, though, is that it didn’t just meet its 2017 goal. The Blue Oval has met its 2025 goal. (!)

I will freely admit that I’ve been a bit hard on Ford lately forever, but stuff like committing its EV development to China while its US lineup languishes is annoying. The company’s decision to wait for an NEP mandate to commit to electric, biofuel, or fuel cells is also pretty f***ing maddening. Still, this is a big win, and I’m happy to give the Ford guys a well-earned victory lap for it.

You can check out the official Ford press release, below. Then let us know what you think of the company’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint in the comments section at the bottom of the page. While you’re there, feel free to bitch and moan about how terrible the Electric Focus is, too. Enjoy!

FORD HITS CO2 MANUFACTURING EMISSIONS REDUCTION TARGET EIGHT YEARS EARLY

• Ford Motor Company announces in its 19th annual Sustainability Report that it has achieved the company’s manufacturing emissions reduction goal eight years ahead of schedule
• The goal was set in 2010, aiming to reduce the company’s global carbon dioxide emissions from manufacturing operations by 30 percent per vehicle produced by 2025
• Ford’s energy conservation work played a major role in achieving the goal eight years early, including paint and other process improvements, LED lighting, plant consolidations and new energy efficient facilities – and more
DEARBORN — Today Ford Motor Company announces as part of its 19th annual Sustainability Report it has met its goal to reduce manufacturing emissions – eight years ahead of schedule.
In 2010, Ford’s Environmental Quality Office announced a goal – to reduce the company’s carbon dioxide emissions from manufacturing operations by 30 percent per vehicle produced by 2025. Ford hit the target twice as fast as expected. The results are dramatic, with a global manufacturing CO2 emissions reduction of more than 3.4 million metric tons from 2010 to 2017 – equivalent to greenhouse gas emissions from more than 728,000 passenger vehicles driven for one year.
“We are proud of the work we have done to achieve this goal,” said Bruce Hettle, group vice president, manufacturing and labor affairs. “We’ve made several improvements to our manufacturing operations – from the lighting we use to plant consolidations – all of which played a role in dramatically reducing our CO2 footprint.”
Ford reduced its emissions footprint through energy conservation and efficiency changes at Ford’s manufacturing facilities, such as installing more than 100,000 LED light fixtures and updating paint operations.
“Painting operations use a large amount of energy,” said Andy Hobbs, director, environmental quality office. “Introducing technology that allows wet-on-wet paint application and eliminates a drying oven, in more plants has significantly decreased energy use while maintaining quality.”
Minimum Quantity Lubrication is another energy-reducing technology. In MQL, a machining tool is lubricated with a very small amount of oil sprayed directly on the tip of the tool in a finely atomized mist, instead of with a large quantity of coolant/water mixture.
Ford now is working on setting a new goal – this one, focused on renewable energy. “We will continue to set ambitious goals and work to create innovative practices to achieve them,” said Hettle. “Our next strategy will focus on increasing Ford’s use of renewable energy while maintaining our energy efficiencies.”
Ford also remains focused on reducing vehicle emissions by doing its share to deliver on CO2 reductions consistent with the Paris Climate Accord. The company is charting its course for the future by investing $11 billion to put 40 hybrid and fully electric vehicle models on the road by 2022.

Source | Images: Ford.

Ford files patent for 11-speed transmission

The automatic transmission seemed limited to three or four gears for decades, and then the automotive world slowly started to see more ratios becoming available. Today, seven-, eight- or nine-speed gearboxes have become rather common. Ford even has an automatic with 10 gears on the way for the future F-150 Raptor. The Blue Oval might not be done yet, though, because the company also now has a patent on an 11-speed box.

The filing, which was discovered by AutoGuide, says this idea "produces eleven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio by selective engagement of three shift elements in various combinations," and the company outlines three different ways of making this possible. The advantage of adding one more ratio is that the gearbox should be able to keep the revs in the ideal portion of the engine's torque curve even longer.

Obviously, automakers patent ideas constantly, and applying for one is no guarantee that the tech ever arrives on the market. Conversely, these documents provide a tiny glimpse at one of the brand's focuses of development. If you're mechanically minded or just curious, you can read the entire application here for the technical nitty-gritty.

Ford Fusion Hybrid, Energi Shed $900 Off MSRP

Low gas prices may not have hurt plug-in car sales much, but traditional hybrids have been feeling the pinch as consumers go for sportier sedans or even SUVs. Some automakers have yet to come up with a response, but for the Blue Oval the next move is clear. The price of the 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid and Energi models are being cut by $900 each.

This brings the base price of a 2016 Ford Fusion down to $25,675, while the 2016 Fusion Energi will now start at $33,900, down from $34,800. Besides the lower price, Ford hasn’t made many changes to the Fusion for 2016, besides the addition of a new EcoSelect mode. This retards acceleration and devotes less power to heating and cooling systems, all in the name of fuel economy.

Keep in mind that Ford was forced to adjust the MPG ratings of its hybrid models downwards last year after consumers complained they weren’t seeing the advertised numbers. Ford C-Max sales in particular have stumbled, and in addition to paying out millions of dollars to unhappy customers, new competitors in the form of the 2016 Chevy Volt and the 2016 Toyota Prius, both of which will be brand new as the Fusion enters its fourth year on the market. So rather than add new features, Ford just cut the price a wee bit to keep its hybrid models competitive.

The Fusion is expected to get a mid-cycle refresh next year, though, so if you can hang on for another year you can probably get a much better deal on a barely-used Hybrid or Energi model.

Ford EcoSport 1.0 EcoBoost UK first drive review

Ford’s Fiesta-on-stilts compact SUV has some appeal, although it is less interesting to drive than it is to look at

What is it?

A startled blowfish. A cartoon character. A cheerful balloon. The look of the new Ford EcoSport has been likened to many things, but it is certainly distinctive.

The EcoSport augments the Blue Oval’s SUV range and will sit below the existing Kuga, with the larger Edge completing the three-vehicle line-up when it arrives next year.

Based on the B-class vehicle platform that also underpins the Fiesta, and built at the Chennai plant in India, Ford is anticipating that the EcoSport will mop up sales in this fast-growing segment, where buyers traditionally put more emphasis on appealing design than on price or dynamic ability. Hence the dramatically bluff front-end styling and aggressive stance.

Its looks alone could lose the EcoSport as many admirers as it wins, but in a market segment ruled by funky designs such as the Nissan Juke andRenault Captur, Ford has little room for conservatism.

Ford’s strategy with the EcoSport is to keep it simple. A limited range of engines is offered, and at present the only gearbox option is a five-speed manual, but a six-speed Powershift dual-clutch automatic transmission is due early next year on the more powerful 1.5-litre petrol variant.

There isn’t much scope for overloading the EcoSport with extras either; Ford offers all cars in Titanium trim, with the option of upgrading with a Titanium X pack which costs £1000 and adds full leather, cruise control and 17in alloys in place of the standard 16in items. Ford expects half of EcoSport buyers to choose the package.

Beyond that, there are few cost options, among them Ford’s Sync connectivity package (costing £250), metallic paint (£495) and rear parking sensors (£210).

The EcoSport is on its second generation in South America, where it was first introduced back in 2003, but this is the first version to reach Europe. It is still a rare sight on UK roads, and this was our first opportunity to drive one in this country.

What is it like?

The high-riding driving position, and the clear frontal view it affords, are the most novel aspects of the interior. The rest of the EcoSport – recognisable from other Ford products – is far less adventurous than you might expect given the car’s strong exterior lines, and lacks the pizzazz of rivals such as the Captur.

Still, it majors on practical considerations. Both headroom and legroom are very good, boot space is 310 litres and you can free up a not-inconsiderable 1238 litres by folding and tumbling both elements of the 60:40 split rear bench.

Although mounting the spare wheel on the rear door is a clever way to liberate more boot space, it does feel more like a design-led gimmick. From a practical perspective, it makes the side-hinging door rather heavy and awkward, which could be an issue if you’re grappling with luggage or shopping bags.

It’s clear from the outset that heady performance isn’t the EcoSport’s forte. In the Fiesta, this engine can sprint to 62mph in 9.4sec, while installed in this baby SUV takes a rather more sedate 12.7sec. 

On more twisting roads, though, the EcoSport shows little sign of body roll, cornering with a precision that’s quite pleasing for a supermini-on-stilts. It could even feel like a deft performer were it not for light and not particularly engaging steering that’s presumably set-up to focus on town centre manouvering. 

The ride is composed, with only the most significant of road ruts communicating to the driver. The EcoBoost engine emits its now-familiar three-pot thrum, noticeable but not overbearing during acceleration and at motorway speeds. Those used to the Fiesta might notice a touch more road and wind noise, but it’s not intrusive.

Ford says the EcoSport has some genuine off-roading capability, with 180mm of ground clearance. We did not have the opportunity to test the claim, although the lack of a four-wheel-drive variant in the UK model range suggests the only jungle this model will be seen in is an urban one.

Our short test route in the 1.0-litre EcoBoost returned fuel economy in the low 40mpg region. Although a subsequent drive in the 1.5-litre diesel version returned 45mpg over the same varied roads, the oilburner costs an extra £500.

Should I buy one?

The cost of the EcoSport is competitive in relation to its main rivals, bar the budget-conscious Dacia Duster, although as Ford itself points out, buyers in this segment tend to be attracted more by design appeal than a cheap sticker price.

And whether the EcoSport’s looks appeal compared to, say, the Juke orMokka will be a purely subjective decision for the prospective buyer.

In such a competitive market sector, though, Ford has made the EcoSport stand out in key areas, particularly with its agreeable (but not dynamic) driving experience, pleasant urban manners and above-par interior space.

Ford EcoSport 1.0 Ecoboost

Price £15,995 0-62mph 12.7sec Top speed 112mph Economy 53.3mpgCO2 125g/km Kerb weight 1350kg Engine 3-cyls, 999cc, turbocharged, petrol Power 123bhp at 6000rpm Torque 125lb ft at 1400-4500rpmGearbox 5-spd manual

Source: Autocar

Ford Lightweight Concept Car Drops 23% Of Its Weight - VIDEO

While the 2015 Mustang is probably putting on some weight for its 50th anniversary, the rest of the Ford lineup is on a serious diet. This Ford Fusion has shed nearly 25% of its weight through the “holistic” use of lightweight materials like aluminum and carbon fiber.

While the name “Lightweight Concept Car” isn’t what one might call inspiring, by replacing almost all the steel bits with aluminum, Ford shed about 800 pounds off the curb weight of this Ford Fusion. It’s the same tactic applied to the 2015 Ford F-150, which resulted in a 700 pound diet despite sticking with a steel frame.The Fusion also utilizes ultra-high-strength steel, magnesium, and carbon fiber throughout the body and drivetrain in order to the pounds, lowering the Fusion’s curb weight by some 23%.

In Ford’s own words, this mid-size Fusion weighs about as much as the subcompact Fiesta, or about 2,600 pounds. That could help the Fusion achieve Fiesta-like fuel economy of 40 MPG or more, which would put it at the front of the pack without embracing any sort of hybrid tech.

Of course developing a mostly-aluminum concept isn’t cheap, and even though Ford plans to add more aluminum parts to cars across its lineup, it won’t happen overnight. There’s also more exotic (and more expensive) materials, like carbon fiber reinforced plastic, that Ford has dabbled with in the past, but aluminum is going to be the way forward for Blue Oval vehicles. Ford has yet to even price the 2015 F-150, but it has to do something about the growing weight of all its vehicles, and going aluminum makes the most sense. Heavy cars and high MPGs just don’t mix, and the most efficient gas engines in the world can’t alter the laws of physics.

Across the board, automakers have added features, some mandatory, some not, that have increased the average weight of new cars year after year. A standard 2013 Ford Fusion weighs in at some 3,400 pounds, depending on options, and while it’s not exactly a “heavyweight”, all that heft isn’t helping fuel economy.

The Blue Oval invested big into its EcoBoost engine, and outlets like Consumer Reports haven’t been all that impressed by the real world MPGs. If the next generation of Ford vehicles goes on this kind of extreme diet though, those smaller turbo motors could the kind of hybrid-rivaling MPGs we’ve been looking for.

Source: Ford