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2011 Ford Transit Connect Electric

Ford Motor Company has its first all electric vehicle ready for production later this year.  The Ford Transit Connect goes electric and will be on sale later in 2010. Ford is collaborating with Azure Dynamics Corporation to upfit the Transit Connect Electric with Azure’s Force Drive™ battery electric powertrain and Johnson Controls-Saft’s advanced lithium-ion battery technology.  “Transit Connect Electric exemplifies how we are leveraging our relationships as well as our hybrid and advanced powertrain programs to bring energy-efficient technologies from the laboratory to the street,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “Not only is this an ideal vehicle for eco-conscious fleet operators, it is an important part of Ford’s future.”

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Ford claims biggest five-year fuel economy improvement among major automakers

 
According to the latest report from the Environmental Protection Agency, Ford has scored the biggest improvement in combined fuel economy of any major carmaker over the last five years. Between 2005 and 2009, Ford improved its fleet average by nearly 20 percent – almost twice as much as any other company. While Ford certainly made a lot of incremental improvements in the efficiency of its vehicles over that period, that wasn't the only factor.

That same time period saw a huge shift in the model mix at Ford. Sales of SUVs like the Explorer and Expedition collapsed as consumers moved to crossovers like the Edge and Flex. The Explorer has gone from more than 400,000 annual sales earlier this decade to just over 68,000 last year.

Ford has made actual improvements, as well, however, including the introduction of the Escape Hybrid and the roll out of six-speed transmissions. The next five years should see even bigger gains as Ford deploys millions of EcoBoost engines, battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Ford's official press release. 

Ford looking to invest up to $500 million in Michigan hybrid, EV plants

 
After GM's announcement this week that it would invest $336 million in its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant to build the Volt, there are noises from Ford about a similar investment. Automotive News is reporting that the Blue Oval is weighing putting $300 to $500 million into hybrid and electric vehicle plants in Michigan – if they can get the tax credits from the state. Ford is asking for $85 million in credits between 2012 and 2014 and another $35 million after 2014.

If the plants get the public money injection, Ford would have a place to assemble li-ion battery packs and consolidate production of hybrid vehicles Ford's director of global electric strategy, Nancy Gioia, told AN. Currently, the battery packs for Ford's top-selling Fusion (and Mercury Milan) hybrids are put together by Delphi Holdings in Mexico.

Michigan has, in the last year, approved over $550 million for advanced battery manufacturers who build plants in the state. Ford says 1,000 jobs would be created in the state (and lost elsewhere?) if the hybrid and plug-in plants relocate here.

[Source: Automotive News (subs req'd)]

Ford Hybrids: Racking Up Sales and Mileage

Ford Hybrids: Racking Up Sales and Mileage

Leave it to Ford to buck the industry trend. While hybrid sales across the industry are down 14 percent, sales of Ford hybrid cars and SUVs are up 73 percent. Curiously, more than 60 percent of these Ford hybrid customers previously owned an import car. Also curious is the way that taxi companies in New York and San Francisco are using Ford hybrids, racking up 300,000 miles on them before retiring them. Read on for more milestones that Ford hybrids are reaching.

The fuel economy and durability of hybrid versions of Ford Fusion and Escape and also Mercury Milan and Mariner are winning over large numbers of conquest customers, many of whom are previous import owners. Through September, Ford hybrid-vehicle sales are up 73 percent versus the same period in 2008, according to figures from Autodata Inc.

“Hybrid customers increasingly are considering Ford,” said David Finnegan, Ford hybrid marketing manager. ”More than 60 percent of Fusion Hybrid sales have been from non-Ford owners, and more than half of those are customers coming from import brands, mostly from Toyota and Honda.”

Ford’s strong 2009 hybrid sales have been fueled by the introduction of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids, the most fuel-efficient midsize sedans on the road. Both vehicles deliver an EPA-estimated 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway.

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