Ford is delivering more fuel-efficient vehicle choices in 2012 than ever
before and a fresher new vehicle lineup than any full-line automaker in the
U.S.
"Customers are starting to see the true benefits of our One Ford plan," said
Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. "With more new vehicle options and
an even broader range of fuel-efficient cars, utilities and trucks, Ford is
delivering real power of choice for millions of consumers who are paying more
attention than ever to what happens at the pump – no matter what the price."
Ford is offering eight vehicles that deliver 40 mpg or better by year-end –
double its number versus 2011 and more than any other full-line automaker. In
fact, Ford's eight-vehicle tally is more than the number of 40-mpg-or-better
vehicles Toyota and General Motors offer combined.
Ford also is tripling its electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013,
growing its electrified vehicle lineup to six models – including the all-new
C-MAX Hybrid. The compact hybrid utility vehicle, which arrives this fall, is
expected to achieve 47 mpg, at least 3 mpg better than Toyota Prius v with more
performance and technology.
Ford plans for 10 to 25 percent of its global sales to be electrified
vehicles (hybrids, plug-in hybrids and full electric vehicles) by 2020, and
continues to find ways to make more affordable, high-volume, internal-combustion
engines even more fuel efficient.
Ford has invested record amounts in its powertrains and new vehicles since
launching its Blueprint for Sustainability. Since 2007, the company has improved
fuel economy in its vehicles in all key segments, including:
- Small cars: Focus has improved its highway fuel economy 21 percent
between 2007 and the 2012 model's 40 mpg
- Midsize cars: The gas-engine-powered all-new Fusion is projected to
be 28 percent more fuel efficient than its 2007 counterpart when it goes on sale
this fall
- Full-size cars: The new 2.0-liter EcoBoost® Taurus, now
EPA-certified at 32 mpg highway, is 27 percent more fuel efficient than the 2007
Ford Five Hundred
- Sports cars: Mustang maintains its unbeaten balance of power and fuel
economy with a 24 percent fuel economy improvement
- Utilities: The new EcoBoost-powered Escape delivers a 32 percent
improvement in fuel economy compared to the previous V6 Escape, while Explorer
has reinvented modern full-size SUVs, fueled largely by its 40-percent fuel
economy improvement to 28 mpg highway for the 2.0-liter EcoBoost compared to the
previous model's V6
- Trucks: F-150 improves 21 percent versus five years ago to 23 mpg
city
Fuel-efficient EcoBoost powertrains are now a mainstay in Ford's lineup. In
fact, Ford's annual EcoBoost production grows to nearly 1.6 million engines
globally by 2013 – surpassing the company's original target for that time frame.
A 1.0-liter EcoBoost – Ford's smallest, quietest engine ever – arrives in one
of Ford's U.S. small cars next year. Already on sale in the European Focus, the
1.0-liter engine was named the 2012 International Engine of the Year this month.
Additional 1.6-, 2.0- and 3.5-liter EcoBoost engines are already available on
Escape, Explorer, Edge, F-150, Flex, Focus ST, Fusion, Police Interceptor sedan
and utility vehicles, and Taurus.
While EcoBoost offers up to a 15 percent reduction in CO2 versus
larger-displacement, non-turbocharged engines, this technology can also save
customers money on fuel. During a 7.5-year ownership period, for instance:
- All-new Ford Escape 2.0-liter EcoBoost buyers could save $2,245, the
equivalent of 6.1 months of fuel, compared to Toyota RAV4 V6
- 2013 Ford Taurus 3.5-liter EcoBoost buyers could save $2,090, the equivalent
of 10 months of eating out for an average family, compared to the Chrysler 300C
- All-new Ford Fusion 1.6-liter EcoBoost buyers could save $1,650, the
equivalent of more than three months of groceries, compared to a Toyota Camry
four-cylinder owner's fuel use
"Whether you are talking about new technologies, engines or vehicles
themselves, customers increasingly are looking for good value," said Raj Nair,
group vice president, Global Product Development. "Customers are telling us Ford
is delivering what they truly want – including the newest vehicles to choose
from in America."
Ford has the freshest new lineup of passenger and commercial vehicles in the
U.S. industry – surpassing Honda, Toyota and Hyundai, according to the recent
2012 Bank of America Merrill Lynch "Car Wars" study.
This is just the beginning, Nair said. Globally, Ford plans to have the
youngest portfolio of passenger vehicles for the next five consecutive years.
Ford's move to truly global platforms enables the company to create more new
models for customers more quickly.
In 2011, the company had 22 distinct vehicle platforms in use around the
world. That number drops to 10 by 2017, ahead of One Ford plan goals. Five of
these will be manufactured in at least more than one region.
By 2016, 80 percent of Ford's planned 8 million vehicles will be based on the
five global platforms.
"Even better new vehicles, faster – that is what we are committed to deliver
for our customers," Nair said.
Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1fVt0)