SHERIF MARAKBY: HELPING DRIVE THE DEVELOPMENT OF FORD’S ‘GREEN’ POWERTRAIN TECHNOLOGY

• Sherif Marakby, chief engineer for Ford’s Global Hybrid Core Engineering, led the development of the Fusion Hybrid’s powertrain system
• Marakby leads the core engineering for electrified systems and components at Ford

Sherif Marakby leads Ford Motor Company’s core engineering for electrified systems and components. He is responsible for delivering the Fusion Hybrid’s powertrain system.

Marakby, who has a master’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Maryland and a master’s in business administration from the University of Michigan, has worked at Ford for nearly 20 years. Before becoming chief engineer of Global Hybrid Core Engineering, Marakby worked in powertrain systems and components, electronic systems and modules, program management, electromechanical systems, manufacturing and assembly.

He’ll be discussing the plans that Ford has for vehicle-to-grid communications for plug-in hybrids.

Join Sherif here for a live chat at 11:30am (EST) on August 28, 2009.

SHERIF MARAKBY: HELPING DRIVE THE DEVELOPMENT OF FORD’S ‘GREEN’ POWERTRAIN TECHNOLOGY

• Sherif Marakby, chief engineer for Ford’s Global Hybrid Core Engineering, led the development of the Fusion Hybrid’s powertrain system
• Marakby leads the core engineering for electrified systems and components at Ford

Sherif Marakby leads Ford Motor Company’s core engineering for electrified systems and components. He is responsible for delivering the Fusion Hybrid’s powertrain system.

Marakby, who has a master’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Maryland and a master’s in business administration from the University of Michigan, has worked at Ford for nearly 20 years. Before becoming chief engineer of Global Hybrid Core Engineering, Marakby worked in powertrain systems and components, electronic systems and modules, program management, electromechanical systems, manufacturing and assembly.

He’ll be discussing the plans that Ford has for vehicle-to-grid communications for plug-in hybrids.

Join Sherif here for a live chat at 11:30am (EST) on August 28, 2009.

Talk about your “conversation starters.” Ford has developed an intelligent vehicle-to-grid communications and control system for its demonstration electric vehicles including plug-in hybrids that “talks” directly with the grid.

This new technology – which builds on Ford’s connectivity technology such as SYNC®, SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide and Ford Work Solutions™ – allows the vehicle operator to program when to recharge the vehicle, for how long and at what utility rate.

All 21 of Ford’s fleet of plug-in hybrid Escapes will be equipped with the vehicle-to-grid communications technology for testing and to gather real world usage data. The first of the specially equipped plug-in hybrids has been delivered to American Electric Power of Columbus, Ohio. Ford’s other utility partners’ vehicles will also be equipped with the communications technology.

The intelligent interface

When plugged in, the battery systems of these specially equipped plug-in hybrids can communicate directly through wireless networking with the electrical grid via smart meters provided by utility companies. The owner uses the vehicle’s touch screen navigation interface and Ford Work Solutions in-dash computer to choose when the vehicle should recharge, for how long and at what utility rate.

For example, a vehicle owner could choose to accept a charge only during off-peak hours between midnight and 6 a.m. when electricity rates are cheaper, or when the grid is using only renewable energy such as wind or solar power.

Real-world research

Over the past two years, Ford and its energy industry partners have logged more than 75,000 miles on the plug-in hybrid test fleet – that’s the equivalent of driving around the world at the equator three times. The plug-in hybrid research focuses on four primary areas: battery technology, vehicle systems, customer usage and grid infrastructure.

Real-world usage and laboratory research is helping to accelerate the advancement of electrified vehicles. Ford and its research partners are now focusing on ways to make the recharging process easy and efficient for consumers. In addition to low-cost recharging at home through the use of a smart meter, Ford researchers say recharging away from home – whether at work, in a shopping mall parking lot or at a curbside station – needs to be as simple as plugging in and swiping a credit card.

Ford has previously announced it will launch 4 new electric vehicles within the next 3 years including;

• Battery electric Transit Connect small commercial van in 2010
• Battery electric Ford Focus in 2011
• Next generation hybrid in 2012
• Plug-in hybrid vehicle in 2012

QUOTES

“Electric vehicles are an important element of our strategy for improving fuel economy and reducing CO2 emissions. This vehicle-to-grid communication technology is an important step in the journey toward the widespread commercialization of electric vehicles.”
– Bill Ford, Ford’s executive chairman

“We are designing what plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles will be capable of in the future. Direct communication between vehicles and the grid can only be accomplished through collaboration between automakers and utility companies, which Ford and its partners are demonstrating with this technology.”
– Greg Frenette, manager of Ford’s Battery Electric Vehicle Applications

“Broad commercialization of electric transportation is not something a car company can achieve on its own. Developing and producing the vehicles is just one part of the electric transportation equation. We are well on our way to delivering the vehicles, but for widespread adoption the infrastructure to support the technology needs to be in place and we need to ensure that the national electric grid can support increased electric demand.”
– Nancy Gioia, Ford director, Sustainable Mobility Technologies

“Ford’s involvement in the collaboration with EPRI and some of the nation’s leading utilities will help accelerate the pace leading to the commercialization of PHEVs. This type of joint effort between an auto manufacturer and utilities will permit a more seamless integration of electric-drive vehicles into the power grid and the transportation sector.”
– Arshad Mansoor, vice president of EPRI’s Power Delivery and Utilization Sector

Ford on Board for Fleet Electrification

Ford has been selected for two grants from the Department of Energy (DOE) under stimulus funding for the Fleet Electrification program. The program is designed to accelerate viable commercial volumes of electrified vehicles and vehicle to grid infrastructure development.

One grant, for $30 million dollars, will help fund Ford’s collaboration with utility partners across the nation – with an expansion of a vehicle demonstration and grid integration program.

In addition, Ford will receive a $62.7 million DOE grant for production of an electric-drive transaxle for its hybrid vehicles at the Ford Van Dyke transmission manufacturing facility in Sterling Heights, Mich. This grant will be matched by Ford.

Getting charged up

The DOE grants announced this week support Ford’s aggressive vehicle electrification strategy, which includes the introduction of battery electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and next-generation hybrids (HEV).

The vehicles include:

• Ford Transit Connect BEV small commercial van in 2010
• Ford Focus BEV passenger car in 2011
• Next-generation hybrid in 2012
• Plug-in hybrid in 2012

DOE grant funds also will support production of electric drive system components at Ford partner Magna, for the Ford Focus BEV as well as Johnson Controls, Inc. which will supply batteries for Ford’s plug-in hybrid vehicle in 2012.

Power through partnerships

Commercialization of battery electric vehicles is a critical element for improving U.S. energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions with sustainable transportation. It requires collaboration between automakers as the vehicle providers, utilities as the fuel providers and the government in support of advanced technologies for the mass market.

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.

Ford’s key utility partners include:

• Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
• Southern California Edison
• 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.
• Pepco Holdings
• New York State Energy and Research Development Authority, a state agency

Ford also has announced key collaborations with:

• Smith Electric Vehicles, Europe’s leading battery electric commercial vehicle upfitter engaged by Ford to help bring the Transit Connect BEV, a small commercial van, to market in 2010
• Magna International, the supplier jointly developing the Ford Focus BEV passenger car for 2011
• Johnson Controls-Saft, the battery supplier for Ford’s first production PHEV coming to market in 2012

QUOTES

“Broad commercialization of electric transportation is not something a car company can achieve on its own. Producing the vehicles is not enough to create a viable market. For widespread adoption, the infrastructure to support the technology needs to be in place, we need to ensure that the national electric grid can support increased electric demand by the vehicles, and we need to ensure that electrified vehicles provide a real value for consumers.”
– Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering

The Hybridfest Green Drive Expo recently rolled through Madison, Wis., and sponsor Ford Motor Company was at the wheel to demonstrate its hybrid vehicle lineup, including the 2010 Ford Fusion and Escape Hybrids and Mercury Milan and Mariner Hybrids.

How They Did It

During the event, which took place at the Alliant Energy Center, Ford hosted a special session called “How Did They Do That?” – an in-depth look at how the company developed the Fusion Hybrid to attain its segment-leading 41 mpg city fuel economy. Ford’s Praveen Cherian, team leader on the Fusion Hybrid program, offered his insights about the advanced technology that went into Ford’s newest hybrid. It was a chance to teach to and learn from hybrid enthusiasts who had gathered in Madison to talk about their passion for hybrids and fuel economy as a way of saving money and reducing their environmental footprint.

In addition, renowned hypermiler Wayne Gerdes spoke about how he and the Fusion Hybrid team squeezed 1,445 miles out of a single tank of gas, averaging 81 mpg earlier this year in Washington, D.C. Gerdes offered tips on fuel-efficient driving techniques, such as using gradual acceleration and coasting.

People’s Choice Winner

Hybridfest guests got the chance to drive Ford and Mercury hybrids and learn how to use Ford’s SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide technology to get the most out of every gallon of gas. For Ford’s efforts, attendees named the company the People’s Choice winner.

Attendees also had the opportunity to learn more about Ford’s Sustainability program and its plans to introduce a pure battery electric (BEV) Transit Connect commercial van for 2010, a BEV Focus for 2011, and a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and next-generation hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) by 2012.

QUOTE

“We went to Hybridfest more to listen than to sell our product. This resonated very well with the audiences who interestingly have a lot to say about their cars and obsession with fuel economy. These folks are not your average drivers. They are a very special group of eco-enthusiasts and cherish being in the company of each other and sharing their experiences. The people we talked to genuinely seemed very happy to see Ford take a leadership role with hybrid technology as evidenced in the Fusion Hybrid. They’re happy to see a domestic automaker offering more hybrids, and I think they want us to succeed.”
– Praveen Cherian, Ford Fusion Hybrid team leader

Wildlife habitats and manufacturing facilities might seem like natural-born enemies, but thanks to the efforts of the folks at Ford Motor Company’s Romeo Engine Plant, the factory and its neighboring flora and fauna are living in harmony. For its efforts, the Southeast Michigan factory has earned a Neighborhood Environmental Partners (NEP) Award from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for the work it has done with the Wildlife Habitat Council and the Macomb Orchard Trail.

Working for Wildlife

Romeo Engine Plant, which has been a “Wildlife at Work” site, certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council since 1999, has worked to preserve and protect the natural resources surrounding the facility and provide places where the community can enjoy opportunities for recreation and refreshment.

Romeo Engine Plant, which produces a variety of engines, including flex fuel engines, covers 126 acres, with the surrounding 141 acres of land consisting of wetland, forest and grassland areas. Its wildlife team focuses on plant community management, bird population monitoring and environmental awareness. In an effort to attract native birds and create a natural setting near the manufacturing facility, employees planted numerous trees and set up and maintain nest boxes for bluebirds and screech owls.

Orchard Trail Effort Bears Fruit

Romeo Engine Plant’s wildlife team is working with the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development on the development of the trail at the north end of the plant property. The Macomb Orchard Trail is a non-motorized path that will provide users with a safe transportation and exercise route through central and northern Macomb County. At a length of more than 23 miles it will be the largest hike/bike path in the county, and one of the largest in southeast Michigan. This 236 acre linear park will serve as an important connection between local communities and the surrounding area. Locally, it will connect people to parklands, downtowns, businesses, schools, residences, and open spaces. Regionally, it will provide a connection from St. Clair County to Oakland County, and on a state-wide basis, the trail system will ultimately span from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan.

Ford provided two grants throughout the development of the Macomb County Trail, which were used to build an observation platform and fishing pier at East Pond Creek – a certified trout stream. Ford also provided an opportunity for interns from the Environmental Studies Program at the University of Michigan – Dearborn to improve their skills by working with Romeo Engine Plant and the Macomb County Office of Planning and Economic Development to develop the trail. The interns also helped develop an ecologically friendly berm to the north of the Romeo Engine Plant, which improved aesthetics for users of the trail.

Cleaning and Greening

To promote habitat awareness and active participation, Romeo Engine Plant’s wildlife team organizes an annual tree sale and plant exchange. The team also coordinates recycling events and clean-up days with the surrounding community. To celebrate Earth Day 2006, the plant Human Resources Department, in conjunction with Ford’s Hands on Diversity Project, organized a voluntary construction of employee gardens at the site, with hostas, bulbs and annuals enlivening a previously barren area.

In 2008, Romeo Engine Plant also conducted an Earth Day Clean Up, did spring and winter bird counts, and cleaned a portion of East Pond Creek near the plant.

QUOTES

“We are gratified that Romeo Engine Plant is able to help protect the environment where it operates. Every year Ford Motor Company employees volunteer generously of their time and energy to help reduce environmental impact while promoting sustainability. The Neighborhood Environmental Partners (NEP) Award highlights Romeo Engine Plant’s achievements and challenges others to play a similar role in their communities.”
– Andy Hobbs, Director, Environmental Quality Office, Ford Motor Company

“Romeo Engine Plant understands the importance of being a Neighborhood Environmental Partner with the diverse area surrounding our plant. Romeo Engine Plant employees have been involved closely in many efforts to sustain this diverse ecology with our neighbors and have enjoyed working with the Wildlife Habitat Council and The Department of Planning and Economic Development of Macomb County.”
– Shaun Whitehead, Romeo Engine Plant manager, Ford Motor Company

“I have personally experienced the benefits of working with the Ford facility as the fiduciary of an environmental grant. The construction of a rest station and small fishing pier along the Macomb Orchard Trail was made possible due to the financial support and commitment of the plant’s staff.”
– Gerard P. Santoro, AICP, Senior Planner, Department of Planning
and Economic Development, Macomb County, Michigan

“Romeo Engine Plant’s Wildlife at Work program represents a full ten years of commitment to land stewardship and support for native species, which is a remarkable achievement. The plant’s wildlife team puts a premium on community involvement, with tree sales, plant exchanges and educational opportunities. Ford’s Romeo Engine Plant is indeed a good neighbor to local wildlife.”
– Martha Gruelle, Director, Huron to Erie Waterways
for Wildlife Project, Wildlife Habitat Council

Say “soy foam” to some people and they might get a craving for a low-fat heart-healthy decaf cappuccino. If they make their morning “coffee run” in a 2008-or-later Ford Motor Company vehicle, there is an excellent chance they’ll be sitting on a type of soy-based foam already. That’s because Ford leads the industry in the use of this renewable bio-material, with the seat backs and cushions in eight of its vehicle platforms already containing soy foam.

Ford’s innovative use of environmentally friendly, soy-based foam has earned six prestigious awards to date, including the 2009 R&D 100 Award, R&D Magazine announced today. The award honors the latest technology developments across numerous industries that are designed to meet societal, scientific, or business challenges. Ford shares the honor with supplier Lear Corp.

Use of Soy Foam Expanding

Ford has a rich history in incorporating soy- based materials into its products. Ford was the first automaker in the world to demonstrate that soy-based polyols could be used at high percentage levels to make foam capable of meeting or exceeding automotive requirements. In 2004 Ford and Lear formed a partnership to commercialize soy-foam applications.

In August 2007 Ford introduced soy- foam seats on the 2008 Ford Mustang, and has since placed soy- foam seats in the Ford Expedition, F-150, Escape and Focus, as well as Mercury Mariner, Lincoln Navigator, Lincoln MKS and Mazda Tribute. By the end of the 2009 model year, more than 1 million Ford Motor Company vehicles will contain soy foam seats.

Ford continues to pursue new applications for soy foam including seats on additional Ford vehicle platforms in the near future, and soy-based padding in vehicle headliners. In addition, Ford scientists also are working on ways to use other parts of the versatile legume – such as soy flour and soy meal – in various automotive plastics for such parts as floor mats, door seals and underbody shields. The United Soybean Board sponsors some of the research for both soy foam and soy fillers in plastics.

Soy Supports Energy Independence

With soy foam in seats on one 1 million vehicles, Ford expects to decrease its use of petroleum oil by one 1 million pounds and reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by five 5 million pounds annually. Use of soy foam in seats also delivers superior product performance, and supports American farmers.

According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, soy-based products have only one-quarter of the level of total environmental impact of petroleum-based products. Most automakers today use 100 percent petroleum-based polyol foam. Each vehicle contains an average of 30 pounds of petroleum-based foam in its seat backs, seat cushions, armrests, instrument panels and headliners.

QUOTES

“We’re honored that our work to develop soy foam is being recognized outside of the automotive industry. R&D Magazine is placing Ford in the company of innovators who touch virtually every area of our lives – from computing and communications to medicine and microscopy. ”
– Cynthia Flanigan, Ph.D., Ford plastics technical expert

“As Ford continues to increase its use of soy-based foam seats across many vehicle platforms, we’re reducing our environmental footprint by reducing carbon dioxide emissions, decreasing dependence on oil and moving toward sustainability.”
– Jerry Brown, Ford seat systems chief engineer

“Lear Corporation is grateful to R&D Magazine for this recognition and validation that our commitment to environmental stewardship is on target and helps our customers exceed consumer expectations. We accepted the challenge to be the leader of automotive interiors environmental innovation years ago and continue our focus on having meaningful impact with fast-to-market solutions such as soy-based seating foam enabled by collaborative research efforts with suppliers and customers.”
– Ash Galbreath, Lear Corp. director of advanced material

Ford Motor Company’s 10th annual Sustainability Report released today provides a comprehensive look at the company’s progress on environmental and social issues over the past year.

The 2008/2009 reported entitled “Blueprint for Sustainability: Our Future Works” updates the company’s progress in key areas of climate change, fuel economy, mobility, vehicle safety and human rights.

The full report is now available online at www.ford.com/go/sustainability. In the interest of the environment and as a cost saving measure, Ford elected not to do a traditional print version of the report.

On Climate Change
Ford remains on track to reach its goal to reduce by 30 percent the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of its new U.S. and European vehicles by 2020, compared to the 2006 model year. To learn more about Ford’s commitment to its climate change strategy, click here.

On Fuel Economy
Ford is committed to make all of its new vehicles either best in class or among the best in class in fuel economy. All of its North American 2010 model year vehicles and many 2009 model year vehicles meet this commitment. To learn more about Ford’s commitment to delivering fuel efficient technologies to millions, click here.

On Electrification
Ford is accelerating the development of battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrids (PHEV), which it will introduce in North America from 2010 to 2012. To learn more about Ford’s commitment to electric vehicles, click here.

On Mobility
With the rise of mega-cities around the world – urban areas of 5 million to 10 million people or more – Ford is working on sustainable mobility solutions that reduce personal transportation’s environmental and social impacts. To learn more about Ford’s commitment to new mobility solutions, click here.

On Human Rights
For several years Ford facilities and those of its joint-venture companies and suppliers have operated under the Ford Code of Basic Working Conditions, which requires products to be manufactured under conditions that demonstrate respect for the people who make them. To learn more about Ford’s commitment to human rights, click here.

On Vehicle Safety
Ford Motor Company holds more Top Safety Pick ratings (awarded by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, or IIHS)) than any other automaker and more U.S. government 5-star-rated vehicles than any brand. To learn more about Ford’s commitment to vehicle safety, click here.

On Sustaining Ford
Over the past several years, Ford has undertaken a fundamental restructuring of its operations that affects every part of its business, from product innovation and fuel efficiency to labor relations and its interactions with suppliers and dealers. To learn more about Ford’s plan to return to profitability, click here.

QUOTES

“Our economic and environmental goals are aligned. In fact, we believe that the best way for us to be more profitable is to make our business and products more sustainable.” – Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company

“We recognize these issues are increasingly important to our stakeholders, including our customers, investors and business partners. We want them to understand that we will continue to pursue our sustainability agenda despite very challenging economic conditions.”
– Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering

“Ford’s reporting has benefited greatly from open and honest dialogue with shareholders, environmental organizations and other key stakeholders regarding a variety of sustainability issues, including global climate change and good governance practices.” – Carol Lee Rawn, senior manager of the Transportation Program at Ceres, who led the Ceres stakeholder team that advised Ford on its Sustainability Report

Ford Motor Company recognizes the importance of working jointly with environmental stakeholders to engineer sustainable vehicles in an eco-friendly manner. Its commitment to a greener future is demonstrated on a daily basis with numerous ongoing environmental initiatives.

On Tuesday, May 6, Ford Motor Company was recognized with the esteemed ‘Green Choice Award’ by Natural Health magazine. Ford received this award for its continuous efforts towards building a greener future. The company and its products were judged in a number of different areas such as alternative energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, water use, recycling, operational energy footprints, and LEED certifications. All data collected by Natural Health magazine was submitted by Ford.

The following are some highlights of Ford’s ongoing environmental initiatives:

• Each year, Ford conserves up to 900 tons of carbon emissions and 600,000 gallons of water because Escape Hybrid seats are made with 100 per cent post-industrial recycled fabric.
• Since 2000, Ford has cut its global energy use by nearly one third, in part by upgrading plants with more efficient equipment.
• Ford gives employees two paid days off a year to do volunteer work—in 2008, they committed a total of 124,000 hours. At 17 of the company’s facilities, staffers have turned vacant plots of land into habitats for local plants and animals, and created walking trails to encourage nearby residents to visit.
• Ford’s EcoBoost engine, which the company launched this year, improves vehicle fuel economy by as much as 20 per cent.

The ‘Green Choice Award’ was presented to Ford, along with nine other corporations, by renowned actor and environmental activist Ed Begley, Jr. in New York City. Accepting the award on behalf of Ford was David Berdish, Manager of Sustainable Business Development.

QUOTES:

“Ford is making a difference by creating fuel efficient technology that everyone can use.” – Alan Mulally, President and CEO, Ford Motor Company

“Ford facilities are often faced with complex environmental challenges, and every year – even in hard times – our employees rise to the challenge with innovative solutions that reduce environmental impact while promoting sustainability. The Green Choice Award honors their achievements, and challenges others to take bold steps.” – David Berdish, Manager, Ford Sustainable Business Development