Ford Unveils 2010 Lineup

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:16:00 -0500

Ford has unveiled plans for higher fuel efficiency across its 2010 lineup which is about 20-percent more fuel efficient than it was in 2005

The company aims to improve fuel economy by more than 35 percent by 2015, thanks to powertrain advancements.

“We are creating a full lineup of Ford vehicles – small, medium and large cars, utilities and trucks – that are best-in-class in fuel efficiency, quality, technology and safety and available to consumers with exceptional value,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “We are making fuel economy a reason to buy a Ford, and we are distinguishing ourselves as leaders in connectivity and unique consumer-friendly technologies – many of which are appearing in our 2010-model lineup for the first time ever.”

Ford announced the new EcoBoost at a media overview of its 2010 product lineup at which it described plans for 30 new powertrain actions globally—22 in North America alone—by the end of 2010.

2010 Ford Taurus SHO

New vehicle introductions for the 2010 model year include:

- 2010 Ford Taurus and Taurus SHO
- 2010 Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid
- 2010 Ford Mustang and Shelby GT500
- 2010 Ford Flex with EcoBoost
- 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
- 2010 Ford Transit Connect
- 2010 Lincoln MKT and MKT with EcoBoost
- 2010 Lincoln MKZ
- 2010 Lincoln MKS with EcoBoost
- 2010 Mercury Milan and Milan Hybrid

Ford said it will introduce an electric Transit Connect commercial van in 2010, an electric Focus the next year and a plug-in hybrid and the next generation of full hybrid models in 2012. The electric Transit Connect van can travel 100 miles on a charge.

For the 2010 model year, Ford added full hybrids for the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans, joining the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner hybrid SUVs. Additional hybrid models will be offered.

The automaker also plans to offer an electric or hybrid model on its next-generation global mid-sized vehicle platform. The model or models have not been announced. That platform will be used for such vehicles as the 2013 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKS sedans.

The plug-in hybrid is expected to be a version of the Escape. Ford is testing plug-in versions of the crossover in utility and government fleets.

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More Details About Fordâ€™s Electric Vehicle Strategy

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:10:00 -0600

Ford announced new details about its electric vehicle strategy, including the announcement of a new plug-in hybrid battery supplier and the addition of seven utility partners to a test program to speed the commercialization of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Ford said it has entered into a partnership with battery producer Johnson Controls-Saft to develop advanced lithium-ion battery system to power Ford's first commercial plug-in hybrid (PHEV). At the same time, Ford said seven regional electric utility partners are joining Ford and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to conduct real-world tests on an expanding fleet of Ford Escape PHEVs.

The partnerships will help Ford accelerate its electrification strategy, including bringing a full battery electric vehicle (BEV) van to market in 2010 for commercial use, a small BEV sedan developed jointly with Magna International by 2011 and a PHEV by 2012.

Ford is providing Escape PHEVs for real world road testing to its new research and utility partners around the country, including: New York Power Authority, Consolidated Edison of New York; American Electric Power of Columbus, Ohio; Alabama Power of Birmingham, Ala.; and its parent, Atlanta-based; Southern Company Progress Energy of Raleigh, N.C.; DTE Energy of Detroit; National Grid of Waltham, Mass; New York State Energy and Research Development Authority, a state agency.

Ford formed its first utility partnership with Southern California Edison in 2007.

EPRI, which is providing financial and logistical support for extensive new studies, formed the collaboration of utilities for the program. This allows EPRI and Ford, which first entered into a three-year agreement in March, to study regional differences and the impact on the electric grid as well as the vehicles.

The research into PHEVs focuses on four primary areas: battery technology, vehicle systems, customer usage, and grid infrastructure. The companies also will explore the potential for stationary battery application and the value of energy storage.

Ford was the first automotive manufacturer to partner with the utility industry in a shared effort to understand all of the issues related to PHEV technology and its interconnectivity with the electric grid.

Drivers of the demonstration Ford Escape PHEV will make far fewer trips to the gas station. It uses common household current (120 volts) for charging, with a full charge of the battery completed within six to eight hours. When driven on surface streets for the first 30 miles following a full charge, the Ford Escape PHEV can achieve up to 120 mpg - roughly 4.5 times its traditional gas internal combustion engine-powered counterpart.

A fully charged Ford Escape PHEV operates in two modes, electric drive and blended electric/engine drive. It is not range-limited by the amount of charge available in the high-voltage lithium-ion battery. Once the charge in the battery has been depleted, the vehicle continues to operate as a fuel-efficient, standard Ford Escape Hybrid.

Ford also announced today that Johnson Controls-Saft will supply the complete battery system for Ford's first production plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) beginning in 2012.

The lithium-ion battery system that Johnson Controls-Saft is designing and manufacturing for Ford include cells, mechanical, electrical, electronic and thermal components. Initially the cells will be produced at the supplier's production facility in France, but the system will be assembled in the United States. The five-year supply agreement includes delivery for committed production in 2012 with a target of at least 5,000 units per year.

As part of its electric vehicle strategy Ford recently launched the all new Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid, doubling volume of Ford's hybrid lineup, which already includes the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid, the world's most fuel efficient SUVs. The new midsize hybrid cars offer class-leading fuel economy of 41 mpg city driving, besting the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city. The innovative new SmartGauge(TM) with EcoGuide in the Fusion and Milan coaches hybrid drivers to maximize fuel efficiency.

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Green Cars, Hybrid Cars, Electric Cars and Clean Diesel News

Ford Unveils 2010 Lineup

More Details About Fordâ€™s Electric Vehicle Strategy