AutoblogGreen

Ford implements cost-cutting strategy for hybrid vehicles

Eric Loveday — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:47:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Even though there are more hybrids on the market today than ever before, automakers still need to squeeze more cost savings out each one, whether that be by economies of scale or by developing technology in-house. That's the strategy that Ford is using, says Sherif Marakby, the company's director of electrification programs and engineering. With each next-generation hybrid system, Ford aims to cut cost and, according to Automotive News, the hybrid setup in the 2013 C-Max Hybrid will cost 30 percent less than the hybrid hardware found in the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid.

How is Ford reducing costs? Well, according to Hybrid Cars, the automaker's cost-cutting strategy works something like this:

Ford developed its own in-house battery system that will be manufactured at the automaker's Rawsonville, MI, plant next year. Ford developed everything for the system, from the tooling to the wiring, sensors and controls. All the components are assembled by Ford in its facility. (Battery cells come from Compact Power.)
Ford developed its own hybrid transmission, which will be manufactured at a suburban Detroit plant.
Ford also brought system integration and software development in-house. The software can control battery and motors, as well as the total system, to achieve maximum efficiency.
All the parts used for hybrids and other electric-drive vehicles are made common, and software and control systems are re-used as much as possible.

Need evidence that Ford's cost-cutting strategy is working? Look no further than the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. Priced at $35,180, the MKZ Hybrid stickers for the exact same as the non-hybridized, 3.5-liter V6 MKZ. Perhaps that's why buyers are snatching up the MKZ Hybrid at a rate that even Ford didn't expect.

[Source: Hybrid Cars, Automotive News - sub. req.]

Ford implements cost-cutting strategy for hybrid vehicles originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study ranks most efficient powertrains, lowest energy consumption chassis * UPDATE

Eric Loveday — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:09:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, MPG, Ford, Mercury, Toyota, SAE World Congress

Toyota Highlander Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

During the 2011 SAE World Congress, Clark Hochgraf - associate professor of electrical, computer and telecom engineering at the Rochester Institute of Technology - presented a study that examined the powertrain and braking efficiency (PABE) and vehicle limited fuel consumption (VLFC) of light-duty automobiles. The study ranked the most efficient powertrains and the lowest energy consumption chassis based on these criteria outlined by Green Car Congress:

VLFC represents the minimum amount of fuel a vehicle consumes to complete a given drive cycle; in computing VLFC, the powertrain is assumed to have 100 percent efficiency and the braking system is considered lossless.
PABE characterizes the powertrain for the effect of powertrain energy conversion efficiency and for regenerative braking efficiency. The powertrain and braking efficiency metric characterizes the powertrain system, for both forward propulsion characteristics and for braking characteristics. PABE is affected by hybridization, by engine efficiency, by accessory loads (i.e. air conditioning and lighting) and by powertrain operating strategies including non-hybrid strategies.

The study concluded that the lowest energy consumption chassis of 2010 model year vehicles - computed using the VLFC method - were the Toyota Prius, Suzuki SX4, Toyota Yaris, Honda Civic Hybrid and the Kia Rio.

The most efficient powertrains on the ~~city and~~ highway driving cycle - computed using PABE - were the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Ford Taurus, Mercury Mariner Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid and the Mercury Milan. That's a hodgepodge of vehicles that we've never before seen listed as being equipped with the most efficient powertrains, but when you assume 100 percent efficiency and lossless systems, strange things happen.

*UPDATE: Clark Hochgraf has provided clarification regarding the vehicles with the most efficient powertrains. As it turns out, the most efficient powertrains on the city driving cycle - computed using PABE - were the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Mercury Milan, Mercury Mariner Hybrid and the Ford Escape Hybrid. Hit the jump for Hochgraf's detailed explanation of why hybrid vehicles dominant the city cycle list.

[Source: Green Car Congress]

Continue reading Study ranks most efficient powertrains, lowest energy consumption chassis * UPDATE

Study ranks most efficient powertrains, lowest energy consumption chassis * UPDATE originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan hybrids earn IIHS "Top Safety Pick"

Eric Loveday — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, Mercury, Green Daily

2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

As you line up your "want" list of new cars to replace that old jalopy, we think that safety should really be priority number one, with efficiency a close second. Finding a safe vehicle is actually quite easy, you simply head over to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) website, glance over the 2010 "Top Safety Pick" chart and select a model that suits your needs. Until recently, if you were searching for a mid-size vehicle with a hybrid label also listed as a "Top Safety Pick," your search would have led you to find that exactly zero vehicles met all of the the criteria. But that's not the case anymore.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid recently received the IIHS "Top Safety Pick" rating. The hybrid cousins are now officially the only two mid-size hybrid vehicles to achieve this coveted rating. The Fusion and Milan join the Honda Civic and Toyota Highlander as the only vehicles with hybrid variants to make this year's list. So, if safety is priority number one and you won't settle for anything other than a hybrid vehicle, your choices are limited to just a handful of vehicles. At least now you have two more to consider.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid

Photos by Sam Abuelsamid / Copyright (C)2009 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]

Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan hybrids earn IIHS "Top Safety Pick" originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 12 Jun 2010 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mark Fields tells dealers new compact Mercury coming in 2011

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:03:00 EST

Filed under: Ford, Mercury

Lincoln Concept C - Click for high-res image gallery

At the National Automobile Dealers Association convention in Orlando, FL on Sunday, Ford's President of the Americas Mark Fields announced the first new product for Mercury in several years. The fate of Ford's middle brand has been in doubt for over a decade as models like the Tracer, Sable and Cougar have been discontinued. Fields told the dealer group that Mercury would get a fresh compact model based on the new global compact platform from the upcoming 2012 Focus and Grand C-Max.

The Mercury will be one of 10 different vehicles that come off that platform and is expected to be joined by a small Lincoln based on the Concept C that debuted at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The Mercury Mountaineer is not expected to be replaced when the new Explorer debuts later this year. That would leave Mercury with the Milan, Mariner and the new compact. Fields gave no other details about the new model. However, it could be a version of one of the other European Focus models such as the coupe-convertible or the smaller five-seat C-Max.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Lincoln Concept C

Live Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Reuters]

Report: Mark Fields tells dealers new compact Mercury coming in 2011 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ford issues TSB fix for brake pedal on Fusion Hybrid models [w/video]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:37:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, Mercury, Green Daily, USA

Consumer Reports explains Ford Fusion Hybrid braking issue - Click above to watch the video after the break

It would seem that Toyota isn't the only automaker with braking issues on its hybrid vehicles, as Ford has reportedly issued a Technical Service Bulletin outlining a software update for its 2010 Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid sedans. The problem was experienced and reported by Consumer Reports a little while back; here's their explanation of what happened:

As one of our senior engineers slowed for a stop sign at the turnoff to our test facility in East Haddam, Connecticut, the brake pedal went unexpectedly further down than normal but the car barely slowed. He zoomed through the turn, with brake-system warning lights illuminated on the dash. The car more or less coasted to a stop, with what our engineer described as minimal brake feel.

After switching off the engine and then restarting it, everything returned to normal - no warning lights and full braking capability.

That doesn't sound very good, eh? As it turns out, Ford was aware of the potential problem. Says Ford, "The software threshold to transition from regenerative brakes to conventional brakes can cause the system to transition to conventional brakes unnecessarily." Fortunately, Ford claims that, while drivers "may initially perceive the condition as loss of brakes... the vehicle has full braking capability. When this occurs, our system maintains full conventional brakes and full ABS function."

In an effort to resolve the issue in a timely manner, Ford has initiated a repair program and will notify all known owners by mail starting in early February 2010. Anyone who owns a Fusion or Milan Hybrid made on or before October 17, 2009 can see their dealer regarding Ford's "Customer Satisfaction Program 10B13." Click past the break for a video explaining the issue and Ford's fix.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Report: Ford issues TSB fix for brake pedal on Fusion Hybrid models [w/video]

Report: Ford issues TSB fix for brake pedal on Fusion Hybrid models [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eco Boost: Ford gains hybrid share, sales up 147% over 2008

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:09:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Green Daily, USA

While automotive sales have been almost universally down in 2009 compared to 2008, Ford has a legitimate reason to crow about its December figures, which are up a third over December of '08 and an impressive 50 percent over November. The green side of the coin, though, looks even better.

December sales of Ford's lineup of hybrid vehicles (including the Ford Fusion, Ford Escape, Mercury Milan and Mercury Mariner) totaled 2,843, up 147 percent versus a year ago. Sales totaled 33,502 in 2009, a new record, and were up 72 percent versus a year ago. Last month was also the best sales month for EcoBoost-equipped vehicles (1,662), and total EcoBoost sales since introduction now total 4,973.

Further, Ford boasts that its market share is up to 15 percent - one full percentage point higher than in 2008 and the first time since 1995 that the Blue Oval has gained on its competitors. Ford, Lincoln and even Mercury sales were improved in December. Here are a few more of the highlights:

Ford Fusion: Posted a December sales increase of 83 percent and set new December (18,852) and full-year (180,671) sales records.
Ford Taurus: Sales totaled 7,256 for the month, up 110 percent versus a year ago. Since the introduction of the 2010 model in August, Taurus sales are nearly 90 percent higher than a year ago.
Ford Escape: Set a December sales record (19,156), up 75 percent versus a year ago. For the full year, Escape sales totaled 173,044, the second-best sales year ever.

Ford's full-year sales totaled 1.62 million vehicles, down 15 percent from 2008. Even that, though, is a mild ray of sunshine considering that the industry was down about 20 percent overall. In the mood to crunch the numbers even more? Feel free to hit the jump for the full press release.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Eco Boost: Ford gains hybrid share, sales up 147% over 2008

Eco Boost: Ford gains hybrid share, sales up 147% over 2008 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford: New remote start option will reduce harmful emissions by up to 75%

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:33:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Ford, Lincoln, Mercury

Good news, Ford fans: The Blue Oval is finally stepping into the 21st Century by adding remote start and heated steering wheels to its line of cars and trucks. The remote start option will make its first appearance on the 2011 F-Series Super Duty pickup truck while the heated tiller will initially see the light of day in the 2011 Lincoln MKX.

Following those two launches, the automaker promises that both items will infiltrate the rest of its Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineups in a jiffy. While it's been possible to have an aftermarket remote start system installed on any new car or truck for quite some time (including a dealer-installed option from Ford), JD Power reports that 90 percent of all purchasers would prefer a factory option, which makes perfect sense to us... especially since Ford's system will be integrated with the heating and cooling systems to bring the cabin to a comfortable temperature regardless of the weather outside.

Ford predicts that the remote start system will help the vehicle's exhaust catalyst heat up more quickly, thereby reducing hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 75 percent. Further, the automaker suggests that a heated steering wheel will increase dexterity in the fingers and hands and reduce the need to wear gloves while driving in the winter. Want to know more? Use those nice and toasty digits to hit the jump for the press release.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford: New remote start option will reduce harmful emissions by up to 75%

Ford: New remote start option will reduce harmful emissions by up to 75% originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Green Car of the Year finalists - three hybrids, two diesels - announced

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:38:00 EST

Filed under: Diesel, Hybrid, Audi, Honda, Mercury, Toyota, Volkswagen, LA Auto Show, Green Daily

Mercury Milan Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery of GCOTY finalists

Last year, Volkswagen's Jetta TDI was named the 2009 Green Car of the Year at the LA Auto Show, which means that the Volkswagen Golf TDI has a bit of baggage if it wants to try and win the 2010 award. Regardless, the Golf was named one of five finalists today, along with the Audi A3 TDI, the Honda Insight, the Mercury Milan Hybrid and the Toyota Prius. Odd that the Mercury would be chosen above the Ford Fusion hybrid, but so it goes. That makes is two diesels and three hybrids vying for top spot.

The Green Car of the Year award is given out by the Green Car Journal, which narrows the field of green cars down to five and then turns over the decision to pick a winner to "jurors such as Jay Leno, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Carroll Shelby, Matt Petersen of Global Green USA and the Sierra Club's Carl Pop." The winner will be announced in LA on December 3.

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Gallery: 2010 Green Car of the Year Finalists

[Source: Green Car Journal]

Continue reading 2010 Green Car of the Year finalists - three hybrids, two diesels - announced

2010 Green Car of the Year finalists - three hybrids, two diesels - announced originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How Ford's Smartgauge came to pass

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, Mercury

Click on the SmartGauge empower display for a high res gallery

A few months ago, Ford unveiled the new eco-friendly instrument cluster called the SmartGauge in the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids. Since there's no new car to highlight right now, Ford though it'd be a good time to give the world a bit of history on how the SmartGauge was developed.

To make those famous leaves appear when the car is driven in an efficient manner, Ford worked with Johnson Controls as well as IDEO and Smart Design. IDEO helped Ford observe people and found out how they measure efficiency. We know also know that it was Ford graphic designer George Macon who came up with the idea to use leaves on the LCD screen, connecting the driving experience with Ford's hybrid logo on the back of the vehicle. More importantly, Ford discovered - like other automakers - that with instant fuel economy information at their fingertips, drivers drove more efficiently. If you want to learn more, there's a press release after the jump, or you can head over to the nearest Fusion or Milan and use the SmartGauge's tutorial mode.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading How Ford's Smartgauge came to pass

How Ford's Smartgauge came to pass originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Mercury, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, In The AutoblogGreen Garage

2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid - Click above for high-res gallery

At the LA Auto Show in November, Ford unveiled the updated 2010 Fusion and its hybrid stablemate to considerable fanfare. When we got the chance to drive the Fusion a month later we came away impressed, although some of you found the new, larger three-bar grille even more obnoxious than the original. Since visual appeal is highly subjective, it's fortunate that Ford hasn't killed off the Mercury brand just yet. For a relatively minimal investment, Ford can offer the same mechanical package in a more understated wrapper and the result is this: the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid.

Under the skin and between the axles, it's indistinguishable from its Fusion counterpart. But up front, it's an entirely different story. The Milan is equipped with the standard vertical bar grille shared by the rest of the Mercury line-up, but there's more to making a Mercury than a bit of rhinoplasty and a new set of badges. Make the jump to find out what they are.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid

Continue reading Review: 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid

Review: 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hybrids dominate the Intellichoice Best Overall Value of the Year Awards

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 08:49:00 EST

Filed under: Diesel, Hybrid, Ford, GMC, Honda, Lexus, Mercury, Toyota, Volkswagen, Chicago Auto Show

Click above for a gallery of the Ford Escape Hybrid

IntelliChoice used the Chicago Auto Show to announce its Best Overall Value of the Year Awards, and, lo and behold, it's loaded up with hybrid and eco-friendly vehicles. Included in the list of winners for 2009 are:

Honda Civic Hybrid for Best Compact over $17,000
GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Hybrid for Best 1/2 ton Full-Size Pickup (2WD and 4WD)
Toyota Prius for Midsize over $21,000 (Touring trim) and under $21,000 (Standard trim)
Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4WD for Midsize Crossover
Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid for Compact Utility/Crossover
Volkswagen Jetta TDI for Small/Midsize Wagon
Lexus GS 450h for Sport Sedan/Wagon over $38,000

This list serves as another reminder that hybrid vehicles have really started making their mark on the automotive marketplace. There's hardly a segment or price range that doesn't include at least one hybrid vehicle, and if you can't find one to suit your needs, you can always choose the all-conquering Jetta TDI from Volkswagen.

Gallery: ABG Garage: 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Limited

[Source: IntelliChoice]

Hybrids dominate the Intellichoice Best Overall Value of the Year Awards originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 08:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2008: Ford Fusion hybrid, and its Mercury Milan cousin, unveiled

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:56:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, Mercury, LA Auto Show, Green Daily

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Mercury Milan

We have known about the new Ford Fusion hybrid since early this morning, but now we've got the live pics so you can judge for yourself if these wonder hybrid twins were worth the wait. As of right now, these are our readers' second-most anticipated vehicles of the show. The details include a 700-mile range from the more efficient 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission (e-CVT), the new leafy SmartGauge[TM] with EcoGuide, and lots of little improvements like a new high-efficiency converter. Check out a video of the Fusion/Milan unveiling and the press release after the jump. Ford says to prepare for the hybrids to show up in dealerships in spring 2009.

Gallery: 2010 Mercury Milan hybrid on the stand

Gallery: 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid on the stand

Continue reading LA 2008: Ford Fusion hybrid, and its Mercury Milan cousin, unveiled

LA 2008: Ford Fusion hybrid, and its Mercury Milan cousin, unveiled originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You may have to wait a while to get a 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:10:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, Mercury

One of the highlights of the redesigned Ford Fusion that will debut in less than two weeks is the new hybrid model. The new Fusions, along with the Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ, will start production in December shortly after the LA Auto Show at Ford's Hermosillo, Mexico assembly plant. In spite of that, it won't be readily available just yet. Unfortunately, it appears that people hoping to snap up one of the 38 mpg mid-sized sedans may have to wait awhile because there are too many of the current 2008 and 2009 models still sitting unsold on Ford dealer lots. Automotive News is reporting that the Hermosillo factory will go on a one month shutdown in January just weeks after starting production of the new models. That time will be used to sell down the old models. Dealers typically like to have a 60 day supply of cars on the lot, but there are currently 120 days worth of Fusions, 150 days of the Milan and enough of the MKZ to last 229 days. That all means we probably won't find Fusion and Milan hybrids for sale until about March.

View Poll

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

You may have to wait a while to get a 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tech Analysis: 2010 Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan powertrains, 38 mpg hybrid!

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:12:00 EST

Filed under: Ethanol, Flex-Fuel, Hybrid, MPG, Ford, Mercury, LA Auto Show

The long-awaited redesign of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan is almost upon us and we got our first look at the new powertrains this week in Dearborn. As expected, increased fuel efficiency has been the number one priority for Ford's engineers, followed by power and refinement. In the conventional models, the sedans have picked up the redesigned engines that we first saw last spring in the 2009 Escape and Mariner compact SUVs. We did learn some new information about efficiency improvements to the 2.5L four cylinder and the 3.0L V6 that Ford hadn't revealed previously.

Even more importantly, the sedans will now be available with a hybrid powertrain for the first time. While the 2.5L engine in the hybrid is shared with the Escape, the electrical part of the system is almost entirely new. The whole system has been designed in-house by Ford and if what we were told pans out, this mid-size sedan will be the most fuel efficient car in the segment on the road in the U.S. One thing the Ford staff emphasized during the briefing was the company's emphasis on affordable fuel efficiency. VP of Global Powertrains, Barb Samardzich, told the assembled media that "we don't want our sustainability strategy to be public affairs exercise." In reviewing the company's plans for the coming decade, Samardzich focused on affordable technologies that can be applied to almost all cars in the near term. That means that over the next five years, almost all Fords will have transmissions with at least six gears and well over half of the company's North American products will have EcoBoost engines. Read on to find out more about what Ford has in mind for the Fusion and Milan in 2009.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Tech Analysis: 2010 Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan powertrains, 38 mpg hybrid!

Tech Analysis: 2010 Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan powertrains, 38 mpg hybrid! originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford to retool 3 truck plants for small cars starting in December

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:21:00 EST

Filed under: Manufacturing/Plants, MPG, Ford, Mercury

In conjunction with the announcement of an $8.7 billion loss for the second quarter, Ford confirmed what had been suspected for some time with a major shift in production capacity from trucks to cars. Starting in December of this year, three truck plants will be retooled so that they can build cars instead. In addition six new models will be coming over from the European lineup and Mercury will live on. Like other automakers Ford will be consolidating production of large trucks into fewer plants. The full-size Expedition and Navigator SUVs will shift from the Michigan Truck Plant in Wayne MI to the Louisville, Ky plant that builds the Super-Duty pickups. The Michigan plant will retool to build to build a vehicle based on the European Focus platform. As previously announced the Cuautitlan Assembly Plant in Mexico will shift from building F-series pickups to the new Fiesta at the end of next year. A second plant in Louisville that currently builds Explorers will switch over to building Focus based vehicles as well.

In other product news, we already knew about the Fiesta and the Euro Focus coming in 2010 as well as the Transit Connect van in 2009. Ford has confirmed that Mercury will get a new small car in 2010. What platform this will be built on is unknown. Ford will also introduce what they are calling a "whitespace" vehicle based on the Focus architecture. This will be in a segment that Ford doesn't currently occupy, and the best bet would be the C-Max MPV. This vehicle is a small van similar to the Mazda 5. The full Ford press release is after the jump.

Gallery: Ford Fiesta ECOnetic

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford to retool 3 truck plants for small cars starting in December

Ford to retool 3 truck plants for small cars starting in December originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Craigslist Find of the Day: '67 Mercury Cougar with Mercedes diesel engine

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:25:00 EST

Filed under: Biodiesel, Diesel, Vegetable Oil, Mercedes Benz, Mercury, Green Daily, USA

Click on the image for high-res shots of this diesel 1967 Mercury Cougar

Much of the vegetable oil and biodiesel movement centers around the classic Mercedes-Benz inline six cylinder engine, but fine examples of the genre are getting tougher to find. As is always the case with older machines, time and driving in general take their toll on the bodies and chassis of our favorite classics. But, these old Mercedes lumps can be rebuilt to fine running order. Wondering what to do with that good-running or rebuilt turbodiesel engine? How about dropping it into the engine bay of some classic Detroit iron? Many of these older American vehicles were built with engine-bays capable of accepting everything from a straight-six to a huge big block V8 engine. If that sounds like too much trouble, perhaps you should take a look at an example that's already been converted. Right now on Craigslist in L.A. is a cherry 1967 Mercury Cougar with a Mercedes OM617 cast iron turbodiesel engine from a Mercedes-Benz 300SD. Mated to a four-speed manual tranny, we'd imagine that many trouble-free miles of burbling diesel goodness are in store for this particular gem. Thanks for the tip, Geeky1!

Gallery: Craigslist Find: 1967 Cougar Diesel

[Source: Craigslist]

Craigslist Find of the Day: '67 Mercury Cougar with Mercedes diesel engine originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 20 May 2008 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Earth Day: How far must you drive your hybrid before it pays off?

Xavier Navarro — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:54:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, GMC, Honda, Lexus, Mazda, Mercury, Nissan, Saturn, Toyota, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, USA

Hybrids help you save gas at the pump, this is something we all know. We also know why burning less gasoline is good: fewer greenhouse gases are emitted to the atmosphere, it reduces our dependence on foreign oil and we spend less money at the pump. However, there is always the question about what is the overall impact of using a hybrid versus using a non-hybrid version. There are currently 17 hybrid models available in the U. S. market and all but one have a corresponding non-hybrid counterpart to compare with. As part of our Earth Day coverage today, we took a closer look at the following two questions:

Question #1: How far can we drive with a hybrid powertrain compared to a non-hybrid?
Question #2: When will the hybrid investment pay for itself through gas savings?

Before we go to the complete list let me explain the criteria we used. First of all we chose the "economy" powertrains, when we had the option. Therefore we'll be comparing mostly 4-cylinder models. In the case of SUVs, we chose the AWD/4WD versions. For a few models, we've compared them to the European diesel versions data, although this should be taken with a pinch of salt due to the EU's different driving cycles. Finally, we used $3.5/gal as the price of gasoline and added the car's MRSP price. Don't forget that some of these vehicles will qualify for various tax breaks, so you might have to recalculate our numbers for yourself. Got all that? Good, let's see the results (after the jump).

Continue reading Earth Day: How far must you drive your hybrid before it pays off?

Earth Day: How far must you drive your hybrid before it pays off? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DC Auto Show: Ford refines the Escape/Mariner hybrids

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:03:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, Mercury, Washington DC Auto Show

Just in time to better compete with the upcoming Saturn Vue Two-Mode hybrid, Ford is rolling out a series of updates to the Escape and Mariner (and likely the badge engineered Mazda Tribute) hybrids. The big news is an updated 2.5L four cylinder engine that supplants the existing 2.3L unit. The revised engine includes variable cam timing on the intake camshaft, the first such application on the Ford hybrids. The updated engine still runs on an Atkinson cycle and the updates improve performance without degrading the fuel economy. When we tested the 2008 Escape hybrid last year it achieved a real world 30mpg, so that should be maintained.

One of the complaints with the existing Escape hybrid is the brake system. Many drivers don't like the pedal feel and, unlike the conventional models, the hybrids haven't had traction or stability control. That changes for 2009. Ford claims a new brake system improves the blending of friction and regenerative braking. It also adds traction, stability and roll stability control to the package for the hybrids.

The conventional Escape and Mariner also get powertrain upgrades. The 2.5L four cylinder also replaces the 2.3L in the base version and gets the variable valve timing on the intake camshaft. The four gets an increase power from 153hp to 170hp. The up-level 3.0L V-6 gets new pistons, cylinder heads and injection system for a 30hp increase to 230hp. All the Escapes and Mariners also get some minor aerodynamic tweaks as well. Both engines are paired up with a new 6-speed automatic transmission, which, when combined with the engine changes, gives a 1mpg increase to each model while improving acceleration and towing capability. The Ford press release is after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading DC Auto Show: Ford refines the Escape/Mariner hybrids

DC Auto Show: Ford refines the Escape/Mariner hybrids originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rankingsandreviews says American hybrids not that good

Xavier Navarro — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:10:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, Honda, Mercury, Toyota

Rankingsandreviews (owned and operated by U.S.News & World Report and Bulletin News) has published its latest 2008 Car Ranking, which, besides some general highlights about the US market (Honda still the king, GM rapidly improving - the full press release is after the jump), has a specific report about hybrids that are available in the US.

It basically states that the new entries in the segment by GM and Ford (Saturn's Aura and VUE hybrids, the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, and Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner hybrids) "underperform" Toyota and Honda's models in performance and economy. The precise rankings are after the jump (the picture is from the winner, which is not a Prius).

[Source: Rankingsandreviews]

Continue reading Rankingsandreviews says American hybrids not that good

Rankingsandreviews says American hybrids not that good originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is the Ford Escape hybrid really the "most fuel efficient SUV"?

Lascelles Linton — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 09:26:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Ford, Mazda, Mercury, Green Daily

I just saw a video that included an ad that claims the 2008 Ford Escape hybrid was "the most fuel efficient SUV on Earth." Ford has said this for years and, for years, Ford was right. This is not quite so true for the 2008 model year, though. Technically, Ford is still the most fuel efficient in 2008 but two other SUVs are just as fuel efficient; the Mazda Tribute hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid. This raises an interesting question; Is Ford really "the most fuel efficient" if two other SUVs are just as fuel efficient? Tell me what you think in comments.

Update: Thanks to everyone that pointed out the Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner hybrids are just rebadged versions of the same vehicle.

Is the Ford Escape hybrid really the "most fuel efficient SUV"? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 07 Nov 2007 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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