C-MAX Hybrid Guide Posted April 8, 2012 Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 Ford’s Fuel-Saving Innovations Spur More Jobs, New Facilities, Electrified Vehicles, More Customer ChoiceFord doubles size of vehicle development teams focused on fuel-saving technologies globally versus five years ago; dozens of additional engineers to be hired this yearFord is converting its Advanced Engineering Center – a 285,000-square-foot building – for its newly centralized team of engineers working on hybrid and electrification programsCompany continues adding production capacity for fuel-saving EcoBoost®, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle lineupNew Fusion is the best example of how Ford is giving customers true power of choice for fuel-efficient vehicles. From Fusion with EcoBoost and Fusion Hybrid to Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid – each will help customers save money at the pumpFord Fiesta Ecoboost Ford Ecobooost Forum – Ford in the past five years has doubled the size of the team working on fuel-saving technologies like EcoBoost® turbocharged gasoline engines, hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles globally, and is now converting one of its largest research and development labs as it continues to hire for further fuel-saving advancements. Ford’s team of more than 1,000 engineers working on hybrid and electrification programs – including Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid – has grown so fast that the company today is announcing the conversion of its 285,000-square-foot Advanced Engineering Center in Dearborn, Mich., to electrified vehicle development. Profiles Kevin Layden, Electrification Programs and Engineering DirectorBen Pence, Battery and Vehicle Controls EngineerStefan Pototschnik, Focus Electric Program Management SupervisorSteve Daleiden, Focus Electric Powertrain Team SupervisorJim Gibbons, Hybrid Vehicle Battery and Application Systems Manager “Ford remains absolutely committed to providing a wide range of choices of top fuel economy solutions for our customers – from EcoBoost-powered gasoline vehicles and hybrids to plug-in hybrids and full electrics,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. “To meet growing demand for our fuel-efficient vehicles, we are continuing to invest in new jobs in the U.S. and converting our facilities for further advancements.” The new jobs are part of Ford’s plans to add more than 12,000 hourly and salaried jobs by 2015 in the United States. The company also has announced it is tripling production capacity of its hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles in the U.S. next year compared with 2011. From EcoBoost to hybrids and from plug-in hybrids to full electric vehicles, this year Ford will offer nine vehicles reaching an anticipated 40 mpg or more. Ford will offer fuel-efficient EcoBoost engines in 11 vehicles in 2012, up from seven in 2011, tripling the production capacity of EcoBoost-equipped Ford vehicles. This expansion of fuel-efficient offerings will be led by the 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine in the high-volume Escape compact utility vehicle and Fusion sedan nameplates. Delivering up to 20 percent better fuel economy than conventional engines, EcoBoost uses smaller overall size combined with turbocharging and gasoline direct injection to bring customers the power they want and the fuel economy they need. “EcoBoost expansion and availability in high-volume nameplates such as the all-new Ford Escape and Fusion will take this affordable, fuel-saving technology to the heart of the market,” said Fields. Kevin Layden, director of Ford Electrification Programs and Engineering, says the new Fusion is the best example of how Ford is giving customers true power of choice for fuel-efficient vehicles. “From Fusion with EcoBoost and Fusion Hybrid to Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid – each of these cars will help customers save money at the pump,” Layden said. Fusion offers customers the broadest selection of fuel-efficient powertrains in the midsize car segment, including a choice of two EcoBoost four-cylinder engines, a normally aspirated four-cylinder engine, a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. The new Fusion is expected to deliver best-in-class fuel economy across the lineup: 2013 Fusion 1.6-liter EcoBoost: Projected 37 mpg highway, which would make it America’s most fuel-efficient non-rechargeable midsize sedan. Ford Fusion Forum.2013 Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid: Aiming to become the world’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedan with a projected 100 MPGe rating. Ford Fusion Energi Forum.2013 Fusion Hybrid: Expected to become the world’s most fuel-efficient non-rechargeable midsize sedan with 47 mpg. Ford Fusion Hybrid Forum. Ford Fusion Hybrid Forum.Ford Advanced Engineering Center: Past and presentThe Ford Advanced Engineering Center is located within the company’s Henry and Edsel Ford Research & Engineering Center, the 500-acre technical complex in Dearborn that opened in 1953 and serves as the home for research and engineering efforts. The AEC was constructed on the research campus in 1993 as part of an $84 million project that centered largely on noise, vibration and harshness testing with several state-of-the-art labs within. That changed in 2009. As Ford’s investment in electrified vehicles like Fusion Hybrid increased, so did the size of the Sustainable Mobility Technologies team behind it, said Chuck Gray, Ford chief engineer, Global Core Engineering Hybrid and Electric Vehicles. The rapid growth has not only brought together a large group of talented and smart engineers, it has brought together innovators from diverse backgrounds. Many have experience in aerospace working on jets, rockets, missiles, satellites and unmanned aircraft. One engineer even spent time in the driver’s seat of the Goodyear Blimp. There also is an Emmy Award winner, an individual who was presented an award from retired Army Gen. Colin Powell for outstanding performance and excellence, and another engineer who helped develop Intel’s Pentium processors. “Working with such a diverse group makes it exciting and fun to come to work every day,” said James Gibbons, Ford’s manager of Battery Units for Hybrid Vehicles. “With this group, we never run out of fresh ideas or new ways to provide our customers with better fuel efficiency.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kam Posted April 17, 2012 Report Share Posted April 17, 2012 Happy to hear this will boost jobs as well. This economy needs it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeC Posted April 20, 2012 Report Share Posted April 20, 2012 Yes indeed. That is great news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kam Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 They keep saying the economy is improving but I think it's that more and more people have given up searching for jobs. I guess time will tell but I have not seen much of an improvement where I live. Anyone else? Could the CMax be our saving grace? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeC Posted May 4, 2012 Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 The CMax is putting us in the right direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyse Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 That's awesome to hear that Ford is working to bring jobs back. Every little bit helps in these times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeC Posted July 20, 2012 Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 That is the truth. Positive things are coming. Slowly but surely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyse Posted July 25, 2012 Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 That's good that Ford always leads the initiative on the job industry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mightydog Posted July 30, 2012 Report Share Posted July 30, 2012 So did it really improve jobs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_h Posted July 30, 2012 Report Share Posted July 30, 2012 So did it really improve jobs? Sure, for the designers, suppliers, and assemblers... so now all they need is YOU - the customer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mightydog Posted July 31, 2012 Report Share Posted July 31, 2012 I wonder if sales improved. Seems like a really great car. I will have to check one out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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