Ford Celebrates Green Milestone as the 100,000th Hybrid SUV Rolls Off Line at Kansas City Plant

On March 10, Ford celebrated the production of its 100,000th hybrid SUV and reinforced its commitment to ramping up production of hybrid vehicles this year.

Ford launched the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner hybrids five years ago, and the vehicles remain the most fuel-efficient SUVs on the market. As Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant celebrated the hybrid milestone, Ford dealers are preparing to begin selling the all-new 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids, which will be America’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedans at 41 mpg city driving.

A Look Back at the Ford Escape Hybrid

• The Ford Escape Hybrid – the world’s first hybrid SUV – was introduced to the world in 2004.
• In 2005, the Ford Escape Hybrid became the first hybrid vehicle to be used as a taxi in the U.S. There currently are 1650 Escape Hybrid vehicles in service throughout the country.
• In 2008, a fleet of 45 customized Ford Escape Hybrids were put into use as rescue vehicles for the L.A. County Ocean Lifeguards along 72 miles of California coastline.

Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids Today

• The Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids are still giving customers what they want – a “no-compromise” sport utility vehicle that combines the fuel economy and emissions benefits of a “full” hybrid with the go-anywhere capability, toughness and spaciousness of a small SUV.
• Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com named the Ford Escape Hybrid one of its “2009 Best New Family Vehicles.”

Both the 2009 Escape and Mariner Hybrids were recognized with the following awards:

• “2009 Automotive Best Buys” by Consumers Digest magazine
• “Best Crossover/SUV Value Under $28,000” by IntelliChoice.com
• “Greener Choices” by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
• “2009 Best Engines” list for the redesigned 2.5L I-4 Engine by Ward’s Automotive Group

Looking Forward

Ford recently launched the next step in the electrification of vehicles with an aggressive plan to bring pure battery-electric vehicles, next-generation hybrids and a plug-in hybrid to market by 2012.

Quotes

“As we celebrate our 100,000th hybrid, America’s interest in hybrid vehicles keeps a does Ford’s commitment to advanced powertrain technologies that deliver greater fuel economy, lower emissions and help enhance our country’s energy security. No domestic automaker has more real-world experience with hybrid vehicle technology than Ford, and it shows in the quality and fuel economy of our vehicles.”
- Bill Ford, Executive Chairman, Ford Motor Company

“All of us at the plant feel tremendous pride as we celebrate this important milestone. We are as enthusiastic about building the 100,000th vehicle today as we were at the initial launch.”
- Ken Ward, Kansas City Plant Manager

“Our fuel consumption and costs have gone down dramatically. The money we are saving on fuel has allowed us to maintain our critical front line staffing despite the economic downturn. We also are saving money on vehicle maintenance. It is not a stretch to say that our new fleet of Ford Escape Hybrids is allowing more lifeguards to staff towers and in essence, helping us saving lives.”
- Mike Frazer, chief of Lifeguard Services, Los Angeles County Fire Department

Ford rolls out “We Speak Car” a dynamic ad campaign, to expand its share of the mid-size car market.

The new campaign is schedule to debut Tuesday, March 3 during the hit television show American Idol. In an aggressive move to motivate people to get out and drive a new 2010 Fusion or Fusion Hybrid, the three spots are designed to communicate three key messages: the 2010 Ford Fusion is the most fuel-efficient mid-size car in America; the new Fusion Hybrid provides best-in-class 41 mpg in the city; and both models offer smart, class-exclusive technology that customers want, such as SYNC. Print and out-of-home ads mirror the television spots in their presentation.

Watch the TV 2010 Fusion and Fusion hybrid ads

Experiential Campaign

Integrated into American Idol is “Fusion Music Video Challenge”, a season-long consumer promotion featuring the 2010 Fusion. For the challenge, customers will be directed to the Web to answer trivia about the latest Ford Music Video, where they will be entered for a chance to hang with the Idols and see a video filmed live, plus win a limited edition American Idol 2010 Fusion. During the season there will be additional opportunities for customers to experience the 2010 Fusion firsthand.

Digital Campaign

A digital campaign also will launch to draw consumers to find out more about the 2010 Fusion. Reinforcing “We Speak Car,” the campaign will use the 2010 Fusion fuel economy facts and the American Idol promotion to draw customers to the www.fordvehicles.com website. There they will experience the product proof “We Speak Car” as well as third party accolades, showing that “They Speak Car,” too.

Quotes

“We want car customers to know that we speak their language. We understand their needs, and we’re delivering what they want with the new Ford Fusion. Fusion has the goods, but we also bring the emotional elements. Car customers really are keying in on this marriage of fuel economy with ‘fun-to-drive,’ and no other car delivers as well on both. The ads are fresh and energetic. Rather than simply illustrate features and make claims, the graphics visually amplify the message that ‘We Speak Car,’ and we can say things that other vehicles can’t”
- David Sanabria, Ford Advertising Manager

“With the Fusion ad campaign, our goal is to get the facts out to challenge consumers’ perceptions and shake up beliefs about what the best choice is among mid-size sedans. The new Fusion delivers on all the rational considerations that are important to mid-size car customers – as the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan in America, with quality on par with Camry and Accord, excellent resale value and low cost of ownership. Add to that the unique attributes that only Fusion delivers – bold styling; a fun, engaging drive experience and smart technology and you have to ask, ‘Why wouldn’t you buy a Fusion?’”
- Chantel Lenard, Ford Group Marketing Manager, Global Small and Medium Cars

Assets

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At the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Ford’s Tourneo Connect BEV concept shows how commercial BEV technology could be applied to a passenger model.

Extending its aggressive global electric vehicle plan to Europe, Ford developed the fully operational BEV powertrain in collaboration with Smith Electric Vehicles. Ford’s established electrification partner is the European market’s leading battery electric specialist converter of commercial vehicles, which is part of the UK-based Tanfield Group of companies.

In the UK and select European markets, Tanfield already offers battery electric versions of the Ford Transit medium commercial vehicle to fleet customers, and expects to deliver its first Transit Connect small commercial BEVs later this year. It is this technology that has been adapted for the Tourneo Connect BEV concept.

Ford will also work with Tanfield to deliver a Transit Connect van as a full BEV in North America in 2010. The use of the now global Transit/Tourneo Connect vehicle platform showcases Ford’s ability to deliver products with worldwide marketing opportunities.

The Tourneo Connect BEV Concept features the latest level battery electric technology. Here are some vehicle highlights:

• A 21 kWh Lithium-Ion Phosphate battery pack accumulates the energy to drive a 50 kW permanent magnet motor, while the drive torque is transmitted to the driveshafts by a single-speed transmission.
• Using this set-up, Smith Electric Vehicles is targeting a range of up to 160 km (100 miles), and a top speed of 113 km/h (70 mph).
• The onboard battery charger can be plugged directly into a standard mains socket.
• A full battery charge is accomplished in 6 to 8 hours.

Quotes

“The Tourneo Connect BEV concept shows how Ford’s collaboration with Tanfield is extending the company’s global electric vehicle plan to Europe. The technology is already available for commercial vehicle applications, and at the 2009 Chicago Show we confirmed that we will launch, with Tanfield as our partner, the Transit Connect van as a full BEV in North America in 2010. Although conceptual for now, if there is sufficient interest, this silent, zero emission technology could be applied to the Tourneo Connect quite quickly. We think it would be an ideal solution for taxi use, as a hotel shuttle vehicle or similar inner city application.”
- John Fleming, Chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe

“Offering the Ford Connect vehicle family with battery electric power represents the next logical step in our pursuit of even greater fuel economy and sustainability. We know a growing number of our fleet clients have expressed interest in electrification as a sustainable mobility solution. By leveraging our global team and asset portfolio, we’re able to bring this environmentally friendly, strong ‘silent type’ quickly to market as a van, and we believe there are enormous possibilities for a Tourneo Connect passenger model as well.”
- Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s Group Vice President of Global Product Development