Ford have said earlier this week that auto pilot within cars could be here within 10 years. The great grandson and current boss of Ford, Bill Ford has said that autonomous vehicles are edging that bit closer to becoming a presence on our roads.
Speaking at an international conference, Mr Ford said that computerised vehicle will be here on the road by 2017. The amount of cars on the road will be four billion by the year 2050
Car’s communicating with each other
The autonomous cars will have to contain the intelligence within to deal with driving alongside other autonomous vehicles. This in essence means that cars will be able to communicate with each other (in a more sophisticated manner than drivers flashing lights and putting their hazard lights on). They will be able to anticipate accidents quicker than what a normal driver would be able to. Automatic driving cars will be safer to be in. We have already seen Ford’s that are able to park themselves. This will be a common feature very soon amongst all vehicles eventually if predictions are correct.
Short and long term anticipations
The 2012 Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona was the stage for Ford to explain their vision. This consisted of three phases. This included a short term seven year plan, where car’s would have warning system and autopilot would be available for cars driving within slow traffic.
Thereafter between the years of 2017 and 2025, Bill Ford said that cars will be semi autonomous and in a more clever manner. After 2025, there will be completely autonomous vehicles.
Early designs already being tested
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Bill Ford explained his predictions of eventual autonomous driving. He said “Cars are becoming mobile communications platforms. Right now, there are a billion computing devices in the form of individual vehicles out on our roads. They’re largely unconnected from one another and the network. We’ll increasingly take advantage of the car as a rolling collection of sensors to reduce congestion and help prevent accidents. I’m confident that we will see many of these advances on the road in this midterm period because the early versions are already being designed, and in most cases, tested.”
At the Geneva Motor Show, Ford will showcase technology where their B-Max model is able to notify the emergency services of an accident. Along with self parking systems, it seems clear that Ford is determined to bring about automatic driving in the near future.
Today we report some great news regarding Ford’s operations in Cleveland. A third shift will be introduced at the Engine Plant in May of this year.
This is where the new special Ford EcoBoost engine is set to be built. As it’s time of release and demand is getting closer and is also increasing, the Cleveland Engine Plant is set to increase the job shifts. This will also mean greater job security for the staff at the plant. The whole community now have something to be happy about according to Ford.
Ford’s input into the economy
The demand may increase by more than 200,000. It is really no wonder that Ford are looking to bring in more shift time to the plant. According to Ken Czubay, Ford’s Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Service, there are 7,200 workers hired in Northeast Ohio with Ford helping to add $3 billion into the economy.
The Ford Ecoboost
The Ford Ecoboost has a splendid mix of both power and economy from it’s six cylinder engine. Since the engines first sale in January 2011, it is now dominant within the F-150, which is a best seller within it’s particular category. There is now no need for an eight cylinder, which would have proven to be less economical. The new Ford Ecoboost engines have cause great excitement across the automotive industry.
Ford’s transfer of projects from Mexico
Ford’s Ohio assembly plants will receive $128 million as part of an improvement scheme. Production of the Ford F-650 and the Ford F-750 will take place. It has been transferred over from Ford’s Escobedo plant in Mexico. This was part of Ford’s deal to prevent workers from going on strike earlier last year.
Econoline range to stop
The Cleveland plant will stop producing the Econoline line up by 2014 it has been announced. However new projects for medium sized trucks will mean that employees will mean that the majority of people will keep their jobs.
Transit to replace the E-Series
As part of Ford’s radical shake up, the E-Series will be replaced by the Ford Transit. Ford’s Kansas City Assembly plants will the area for the van to be made. It is estimated that Ford will inject a huge $1 billion into the assembly plant.
Effectively Ford’s partnership with Navistar International will be ended, where there is a deal for trucks to be built in Mexico.
Ford has upgraded their Virtual Test Track Experiment simulator (also known as Virttex). Now the intelligent and useful pod will come with a more sophisticated manner of studying the performance of drivers. The image rendering technology built within has also been greatly improved.
What the Virttex is used for
The technology isn’t new. It has been around since 2001. In essence it recognises driver behaviour so Ford can develop safety equipment. It is place within a dome with a motion based simulator being placed within. It is placed upon a hydraulic system so that vehicle movements are recognised to the user.
Ford can use the information to develop future in car safety technology. Ford receive trustworthy and accurate test results that help determine how to develop various piece of technology. This will include Ford developing systems how to warn drivers of collisions that are about to occur, if they are feeling drowsy and other different types of conditions when behind the wheel.
Improvement of image rendering
With the improvement of image rendering, the upgraded technology will now display a higher resolution projected image. There will be a digitally projected 360 degree horizontal view of the road ahead. This will test out driver habits, such as their acceleration, typical reactions during a number of different conditions along with braking and steering performance.
Now the scenery is more realistic and represents that of real road and streets in a more realistic manner. Pedestrians and other road features are represented in a more realistic way.
Mike Bloomer – Great assistance
Mike Bloomer, a Technical leader within the development of the Virttex said just how vital the technology is into playing role with the development of future Ford technology. He said “Virttex plays an integral role in helping us develop future safety and driver assist technology, making it essential to keep the simulator current with the latest technology. Coupled with improvements in the resolution and brightness of the projection technologies, as well as improved imagery capabilities, we will be able to boost our capabilities to conduct active safety studies.”
The Virttex system greatly influenced the Ford Fusion in terms of the Lane Keeping System as well as the collision warning system which are set to make as new features.
Ford would also like to develop a study for early warning systems with the help of the Vittex. This may include forward collision warning before an accident occurs utilising radar based system. Avoiding the accident or minimising any potential damage is what Ford will be aiming for.
Ford is set to add a staggering $3.8 billion into their pension plan. Board members are set to receive a 25 per cent increase in annual compensation. Edsel Ford II, the great Grandson of the original Ford owner and a current Director and Consultant is set to receive a 29 per cent pay increase.
Edsel Ford
Board members annual fee is set to increase from $200,000 to $250,000. Edsel Ford will get a pay rise of $150,000, from $500,000 to $650,000. Mr Ford has been working with the company since 1999. This amount of consulting compensation is said to the first that he has received since the process had started. He had previously received cash for his consultation work compared to restricted stock in the latter part of 2010. Ford have profited greatly thanks to the efforts of Edsel Ford according to the company.
His other roles within the company include that of dealer relations, organising and taking part in education projects, being involved in motor sports events along with heritage events. The only other Ford family member working directly with the company at the moment is William Clay Ford Jr, a cousin of Edsel. He is the current chairman of the board.
The Ford family
The Ford family are still control of the company. They represent 40 % of board voting power at present.
Major turnaround
This is a major turnaround since 2006. Back then, Ford had cut compensation by 50 per cent to an amount of $100,000. This was when Alan Mulally was hired as the companies CEO. At the time an investment of $23 billion was needed in order to turn the company’s fortunes around. Compensation was re-introduced back in 2010 to the amount of $200,000. Sixty per cent of all Director Compensation is placed into the common stock units of Ford.
Sources claim that the move was made for Ford to add to strengthen it’s pension plans as the stock market is currently very unpredictable. Interest rates have recently fallen. Ford want to hold 80 per cent of their pension fund assets in bonds, which is almost the double the 45 per cent figure recently.
For directors must either make more contributions or hope that the stock market gets better. 30 per cent of the pension fund was dedicated to stocks. A quarter of that goes into private equity, hedge funds and real estate. This figure is expected to be reduced down to 20 per cent in the upcoming years.
After only being destined for the Indian automotive market and other similar car markets, Ford now want to create a larger export market for the Ford Figo. Following its tremendous success, Ford plan to ship out the car to 51 countries around the globe by the end of the year. Indian sales of the car alone have given good reason for the car to be introduced into further markets.
51 export countries targets before the end of 2012
So far the Ford Figo has reached out to 32 countries where it has been a great success. In just two years, the car has managed to gain such a wide list of markets. By the end of the year, it would have extended that list even further by 18. The new list will include developing countries in the regions of South America, North Africa as well as the Caribbean Islands.
Another Gujarat factory to be built
The car is developed and then exported to Ford’s Chennai factory. This is where the whole list of Ford’s cars within the country is developed, including the Ford Fiesta, the Ford Fiesta Classic as well as the Ford Endeavour.
Ford will develop a new factory in Gujarat in order to cope with tremendous production figures. This plant will cost a fair bit to Ford and will be ready for use in the year 2014.
Demand for small cars
Ford has researched the markets and has made justifiable conclusions that compact cars will see great demand in the near future.
‘One Ford Philosophy’
Ford will no longer take a leaf out the Figo’s book in terms of cars being developed in a specific way for certain markets. The Figo itself was catered for Indian’s and the Indian roads, giving the localised product great justification for success. Now Ford will generalise vehicles, so that no one model is catered for a specific country. Only globally catered vehicles will come off the Ford production line from now on. Is that a wise idea? This all comes under the ‘One Ford’ philosophy. A total of six new vehicles catered for the global market will be developed by the end of 2015.
‘Discounts available’
Ford India is tempting customers with online offers for specific accessories, where they could save up to 15 per cent off. The closet Ford dealer will be available to install these accessories once they are purchased.
Car sales in China will increase by 5% this year according to the Ford China’s head of Operations. That will represent a second consecutive year of growth for what is the world’s largest automotive market.
Ford sales to be higher than the average
The President of Ford Asia Pacific Africa, Joseph Hinrichs has said that Ford sales will exceed expectations and the average of the industry this year. They have begun introducing new models which will naturally slow down business to start with, but it is expected to take off throughout the year. He believes Ford will be the best selling car brand in China eventually.
Sales dipping in January
Mr Hinrichs has not revealed the figures that he expects yet. January sales equated to 30,976 vehicles in total which marks a 42 % dip from 2011. This was put down to the Lunar New Year Holiday. Ford managed to sell a total of 519,390 in China in 2011 which represented an increase of 7% from 2010.
Mr Hinrichs did reveal that he expects sales to heavily take off in the second half of the year in terms of commercial vehicles. Sales of these particular vehicles did not prosper as desired due to low credit availability. Their commercial vehicle project will be aided by Jiangling Motors China.
No more incentives
The company’s anticipations in terms of sales this year are 8% less than that of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. The Government is cutting back on previous incentives that were offered last year in order to increase sales during such a tough financial time for many within the country. Joseph Hinrichs commented on this particular topic saying “It’s pretty clear that with an industry that’s well over 18 million units, the government doesn’t feel the need to have to provide a lot of extra incentives to sell cars,”
China’s sales
In China last year, passenger and commercial vehicles, which are Ford’s speciality, sold 18.51 million last year which equated to a rise of 2.5 % from 2010. 2010 saw sales increase by 32.4 %. 2009 sales saw sales increase by 46 % in 2009. These were heavily thanks to Government incentives.
Mr Hinrichs has said that the new Ford Focus released within the country will carry a great amount of demand and will be produced in the company’s new factory located in South Western China. The factory has the ability to store 150,000 vehicles but can be expanded to more according to Mr Hinrichs.
Ford’s President and CEO Alan Mulally has confirmed he will not be retiring next year.The statement comes after two top executives left the American car giant.
Board members retiring
Influential board members Chief Financial Offer Lewis Booth, 63, and Group Vice President of Global Product Development Derrick Kuzak, 60, will both retire on April the 1st of this year. Bob Shanks, 59, who is Ford’s current controller, will replace Lewis Booth. Raj Nair, 47, will replace the Vice President of Engineering and Global Product development.
Influential
Alan Mulally has been highly influential to Ford in recent years. For the third consecutive year, Ford has seen profits. He has been responsible for the company adding fuel efficient vehicles into their line-up to stay ahead of the competition.
From when he joined Ford in 2006, the company were struggling. Joining from Boeing Co, Ford was then in their third year of losses which totalled $30.1 million.
Statement
Mulally released a statement saying “I read the news release very carefully and I do not find my name in it. I have no plans to retire and I’m absolutely thrilled and honoured to serve Ford.”
No successor
Alan Mulally’s successor has however been discussed already. Speculation points towards Mark Fields, 51, Ford’s current President of the Americas. Joe Hinrichs, 45, Ford’s Chief Operator in Asia and Africa has also been mentioned. Most believe that Mark Fields is the clear favourite.
Alan Mulally has not confirmed any of the two as potential candidates but did say consideration of all jobs in the future is important. His exact words were “I have read that speculation also and as you know we don’t comment on speculation. Our plan at Ford is to have a very strong succession plan for every position, including my own.”
There will be no second in command according to Mr Mulally. Those tasks are preferred to be distributed amongst various executives and staff in high positions. Everyone’s specific individual skills are utilised for various different responsibilities.
Many see that fact that Mr Mulally is staying as great news. Ford has just announced their 11th consecutive profitable quarter on January 27th. Last year saw Ford make a staggering profit of $8.8 billion which $463 million up from 2010.
With Alan Mulally at the helm, Ford is sure to continue their fantastic results.
Ford unveiled another version of the Ford B-Max which will be the one that is put into final production.
After viewing the last version at the Geneva Motor Show, which was a concept car, many experts and journalists are full of praise for the car once again.Most importantly the car will receive Ford’s new 1.0 EcoBoost engine, which offers great performance as well as fantastic economical benefits to the owner.
The new sliding doors
The new Ford B-Max is based upon the same structure as the Ford Fiesta. What’s special about the Ford Fiesta is that it is compact yet practical at the same time. The B-Max can be described as a compact multipurpose vehicle which uses a brand new unique door opening technique, making the car extremely practical. There is no standard central pillar seen amongst normal road vehicles. Everyone is able to enter the vehicle with great ease, giving the car great family creditability.
Still very safe
Ford’s typically strong safety attributes are not lessened by the lack of a central pillar. There is no doubt that Ford will be chasing a five star rating from the Euro NCAP tests. Ford have used Boron steel to surround the front wheel arches as well as the rear hatch in order to make up for the removal of the central pillar.
Large boot
The boot is big enough for plenty of storage. If that is not enough the seats can be folded flat allowing 2.3 meters in length of storage in total. In terms of structure the Ford B-Max is ultimately solid.
Great drive
Don’t be fooled by the car’s family guise. It does have the potential to offer a great and responsive drive as is typical with Ford hatchbacks.
Manually operated doors
The doors are manually operated, unlike the Peugeot 1007 which has electric sliding doors which caused great frustration. They are very light and extremely easy to operate.
Intelligently the door will not open when the fuel filler cap is open. This will prevent potential injuries.
Luxury feel
The Ford B-Max will not be made to look cheap. There will be a luxurious feel within. Wind noise will be kept down to a minimum. It will feel as if you are sitting within a larger car.
1.6 engines
On top of the 1.0 EcoBoost petrol there will also be a 1.6 Econetic diesel, which again will provide excellent fuel economy.
The Ford B-Max will surely be one of the best vehicles available on the market within it’s class when released.
The brand new hybrid car from Ford is expected to hit a staggering 47 MPG. According to Ford the new model will be America’s most fuel efficient non rechargeable sedan. That will be quite a title to live up to. The 47 MPG figure mentioned is more than that of the Toyota Prius plug in hybrid.
500 patents
Ford takes hybrid technology very seriously. In fact the American automotive giants have 500 patents in terms of hybrid technology.
Chuck Gray – Ford Engineer
Chuck Gray, Ford’s Chief Engineer of Global Core Engineering Hybrid and Electric vehicles has released a statement saying that Ford have never stopped investing in such technologies. He said “Ford continued to invest to develop new products like our new Fusion hybrids during the depths of the economic downturn. We succeeded in transforming our line up with leading fuel efficiency, thanks in part to the many Ford inventors who are helping make our Fusion Hybrid America’s most fuel-efficient sedan.”
Ming Kuang
Ming Kuang, 52, an investor in Ford hybrid technology has helped the amounts of patents grow from to just 10 in the year 2000 to almost 500. He is a technical leader at Ford’s Electrification Research and Advanced Engineering in vehicle controls. Out of the 500, 461 of them come under the hybrid category.
Kuang inventions are some of the most advanced technologies in the world. A statement released by him gave away that the future of the planet had greatly inspired him. He said “The work on the Fusion Hybrid is all about a commitment I made a long time ago to have a positive effect on our environment. It’s about helping make the world my children live in – and the world my children’s children will live in a better place.”
Powersplit architecture system
The patents include components of Ford’s powersplit architecture system which is placed on cars such as the brand new Ford Fusion Hybrid as well as the Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid.
Persistence
It is quite remarkable how Ford managed to keep up the pace with research and technology even during the global economic downturn. Ford have continued to invest in hybrid technology and it is paying dividends.
Specification:
Engine: 2.0-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder, Atkinson cycle/ Permanent magnet AC synchronous
Transmission: Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (eCVT)
Wheelbase: 112.2 inches
We have a great bit of news for American Ford Fusion fans in today’s article. News from across the Atlantic states that the new version of the car destined for America this year will have an all new “Lane Assist” system, dramatically increasing the cars safety credentials.
Not usually associated with non-luxury cars
You may have heard of this type of technology before. But you may not have heard of it being installed within a car such as the Ford Fusion, as it is usually associated with vehicles on the higher end of the scale such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
Detroit Motor Show
Ford are clearly pushing the boat out to ensure that the Ford Fusion is one of the most desirable family cars on the American market. The vehicle will be showcased at the Detroit Motor Show later this month. Inside will be the Lane Keeping System technology, which will naturally be available only as an optional extra. This will surely be one of Ford highlights at the Motor Show.
Ford are one of the front runners when it comes to safety technology. It is one of the main reasons as to why they are at the forefront of the family car segment within the global car market.
Lane Assist Technology
The Lane Assist technology in question consists of three components stated below:
- Lane Keeping Alert
- Lane Keeping Aid
- Driver Alert
When the car is driving at speeds of 40 miles per hour and above, the camera neatly installed in the windshield will detect any failure of the car to stick within its particular lane.
What each setting does
Setting the system to Lane Keeping Alert is a great way of manually adjusting yourself back into lane when needed. Not only does this setting provide a signal visually that the car is swinging out of lane, but it also sends a vibration down to the steering wheel. The Lane Keeping Aid setting will steer the car automatically back into lane when necessary. During events like these drivers usually need to take a rest. This is also monitored and a coffee cup is displayed when the system recognises that the driver may need to take a break.
This is a great improvement to already what is a great car. We hope that it makes it way here to the UK too.
From the monthly archives: February 2012
