Go Further with Ford 2013 Trend Conference #FordTrends #FordGreen

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of heading out to Dearborn, Michigan for the Go Further with Ford 2013 Trend Conference. This was my second year in a row attending and I was so excited to be invited back because I love learning about what car companies are working on on the green front. Obviously making more eco-friendly cars is a trend we are all very much aware of. We were all able to attend several of the trend sessions at the conference and I want to briefly touch on some of what was discussed at the Greentopia panel, which was of course the most important one for  me.

Greentopia - "Global sustainability. It's not just a concept; it's a reality, in which like-minded companies combine resources to be agents of change fore creating a sustainable world."

Andy Hoffman, Professor of Sustainable Enterprise at the University of Michigan
Erin Simon, Manager for packagin & material science at World Wildlife Fund
Scott Vitter, Manager of the PlantBottle program at The Coca-Cola Company
John Viera, Global Director of Sustainability at Ford Motor Company

You may be surprised to know that we did not discuss alternative fuel engines during this session. Instead we focused on materials used in manufacturing vehicles and how they can be more sustainable. Ford uses 41 Fabrics with recycled content across 15 of its vehicle programs. For example, in the Ford Fusion, the seat fabric contains up to 40 recycled PET plastic bottles. Currently, Ford is looking at the potential for using retired and shredded U.S. paper currency in some of its components.

Going forward, Ford points out that collaboration with other automotive manufacturers as well as companies from other industries is how they can continue to grow sustainability. With others car companies, they discuss issues such as recycling lithium batteries. And outside of their industry, they currently have partnered with companies like Coco-Cola and Nike with regards to using Plant PET (plastic) technology.

They key to all of this will be developing profitable sustainability, because obviously a company can't go with something that will end up hurting their bottom line. It will be interesting to see how this progresses and how sustainable they can make each part of their vehicles.

On a side note, I have to praise John Viera, Ford's Global Director of Sustainability. This is the third time I have been able to listen to him talk and I just love how animated and passionate he is about this topic. It gives me hope that he can help Ford go a lot further with sustainability.

Ford brought me out for the Go Further with Ford 2013 Trend Session. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Wordless Wednesday: Ford Field #GoFurther

Standing on (literally, ON) Ford Field - home to the NFL Detroit Lions, at the Ford #GoFurther event!

Ford Field 50 Yard Line

I'm About to Go Further with Ford

Today I am heading out to Dearborn, Michigan to spend some more time with Ford! The last time I was there was back in January for the 2012 North American International Auto Show where Ford debuted the 2013 Ford Fusion. In addition to seeing all of the awesome electric and hybrid cars, I was able to learn about Ford's sustainability initiatives.  This time around I will be there for Ford's "Go Further" Trend Conference.

During this conference, we will explore global consumer trends, what's in store for the future and test drive Ford's latest vehicles. I get to get behind the wheel of a Ford and I can't wait! I am also really looking forward to the "Eco Psychology" trend session. Not only will be discussing green trends, but one of the keynote speakers is Adrian Grenier, whom you probably know from the hit HBO series "Entourage."

So for the next 3 days I will be live tweeting, Facebook-ing and Instagram-ing from the event (What? Those are real words!) If you want to check in on what's going on, be sure to follow me!

Twitter: @GreenMamasPad
Facebook: facebook.com/greenmamaspad
Instagram: @GreenMamasPad

2013 Ford Fusion Shows That Cars Can Be Sustainable

In January, I had the pleasure to attend the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and get a first hand look at the all new 2013 Ford Fusion. I was thoroughly impressed that this vehicle is going to be available in three different eco engines: EcoBoost, Hybrid and Energi (plug-in hybrid). But that is not all that makes the new Fusion a more sustainable vehicle.

When talking about sustainability, one has to consider all the components that go into making a vehicle as well as the end result fuel efficiency. Ford continues to be an innovator in this area by using green solutions to reduce petroleum-based content. In the 2013 Ford Fusion they used materials like recycled cotton and recycled plastic and even soy.

"Building vehicles with great fuel economy is our highest priority in reducing impact on the environment.With every new product design, we also are charged with increasing the use of renewable and recyclable materials in our cars, utilities and trucks to reduce impact on the environment."  ~ Carrie Majeske, Ford product sustainability manager.

Here is a quick look at some of the sustainable materials Ford is using in the new Fusion:

Cotton - Post-industrial, recycled cotton is used as a sound-absorbing material. In every Fusion, the denim equivalent of slightly more than two pairs of average-sized American blue jeans helps to nullify unwanted road, wind and powertrain noise.

Plastic Bottles - Fusion’s North American cloth seat surfaces are made with 100% REPREVE yarn, which is a hybrid of post-industrial and post-consumer waste.  Cloth-seat models contain the equivalent of 38.9 recycled, clear 16-ounce plastic bottles.

Battery Casings - Every 2013 Fusion utilizes plastic made from recycled car battery casings that were otherwise destined for a landfill. This plastic may be found in fender splash shields and other underbody components. Annually, these applications on the Fusion utilize close to 2 million pounds of recycled plastic.

Soy - The foam used in seat cushions, seat backs and head restraints is a soy-based sustainable material, with the equivalent of approximately 31,250 soybeans. Ford uses soy foam on every vehicle built in North America which has reduced petroleum production by more than 5 million pounds and carbon dioxide emissions by more than 20 million pounds annually.

The 2013 Ford Fusion hits the North American market in the Fall of 2012. To learn more visit www.ford.com/cars/fusion/2013.

Ford Focus Electric Named America’s Most Fuel-Efficient Five-Passenger Vehicle

When I was with Ford at the North American International Auto Show back in January, I learned a lot about their green initiatives. How they are using sustainable materials in their car manufacturing and how they are becoming innovators in fuel efficiency. The entire experience was very informative. So it comes as no surprise to me that the 2012 Ford Focus Electric was just certified by the Environmental Protection Agency as America’s most fuel-efficient five-passenger vehicle.

The Focus Electric is very impressive with its 110 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) city rating and 99 MPGe highway rating. It also has been certified by the EPA to offer 105 MPGe combined, which beats the Nissan Leaf by 6 MPGe while offering more motor power and more standard features. The Focus Electric also has an advanced charging system that allows the car’s battery to fully recharge in four hours, which is nearly half the time of the Nissan Leaf.

“Ford is giving customers the power of choice for leading fuel economy regardless of what type of vehicle or powertrain technology they choose,” said Eric Kuehn, chief nameplate engineer, Focus Electric. “The Focus and Fusion are great examples of how we transformed our fleet of cars, utilities and trucks with leading fuel efficiency.”

I love to see automobile companies expanding their electric car manufacturing and giving the consumers a range of fuel efficient choices. Let's hope this trend continues and soon all the cars out there will be fuel efficient ones.

Check out the Focus Electric press release for more details.

The 2013 Ford Fusion Offers Multiple Eco Options #FordNAIAS

Earlier this week I was in Detroit with Ford for the North American International Auto Show. They flew roughly 149 "online influencers" in from around the world to be a part of this exciting event and for the big reveal of the 2013 Ford Fusion. The morning of January 9th started off with an electrifying Ford press conference where we were introduced to the car that would eventually receive the Best in Show Award.

2013 Ford Fusion

The 2013 Ford Fusion is without a doubt a gorgeous car with a European style and feel. To be blunt, this vehicle is sexy! But that is not the only thing that makes this car a rock star. What I love about the new Fusion is that it will be available in FOUR different engines. In addition to a traditional gasoline engine, there will be three more eco-friendly engines to choose from. All are expected to deliver top fuel economy.

2013 Ford Fusion EcoBoost

The 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine is an inline four-cylinder engine that combines turbocharging, direct injection and twin independent variable cam timing (Ti-VCT) to enhance performance and efficiency. It is expected to deliver non-hybrid fuel efficiency of 26 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid

The Ford Fusion Hybrid continues to evolve with all-new lithium-ion batteries that save weight and generate more power, while increasing maximum speed under electric-only power mode from 47 mph to 62 mph. It is anticipated to deliver best-in-class fuel economy of 47 mpg in city driving and 44 mpg on the highway.

2013 Fusion Energi Plug-In Hybrid

The Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid will be at the top of the fuel efficiency ladder, aiming to be the most fuel-efficient midsize car in the world. Fusion Energi is expected to deliver more than 100 MPGe. This will be 8 MPGe more than the Chevrolet Volt and 13 MPGe more than the projected efficiency of the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid model.

 
Some model of the 2013 Fusion will also feature an automatic start stop system which will turn off the engine when the car is stopped and seamlessly turn it back on once the driver lifts his or her foot off the brake. This can result in a 3.5% fuel savings and emissions reduction.

Remember when I said this car was sexy? On Tuesday during lunch we were able to get a little closer to a Ford Fusion Energi. The two-toned black and red interior in this model is just stunning. I'm not sure which had me drooling more, the buffet lunch or this car. What do you think?

 

I must say that I was rather impressed with Ford and the Fusion after this huge reveal. To offer the same body of the car in four different engine options, three of them being eco options, seems just brilliant to me. The price points for these vehicles have not been released yet, I am hoping they will be affordable for the average American family.

I am also happy to see Ford and the automotive industry moving forward in the development of alternative fuel cars. Remember when the only fuel efficient car was a little tiny thing that would never work for a family? Now we are finally seeing these types of cars in the midsize sedan class. I can only hope that they continue to improve the technology and push to get alternative fuel options like this in even bigger vehicles. This green mom of four little ones would absolutely flip for a hybrid or electric minivan. Next year maybe?

I have so much more to share with you from my trip to Detroit with Ford. Especially how Ford uses sustainable materials in the manufacturing of there vehicles. It is pretty cool stuff. So be sure to check back in for my next installment.

Learn more and connect.
Web: www.fordfusionstory.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fordfusion
Twitter: www.twitter.com/fordfusion
YouTube: www.youtube.com/fordfusion


I was not monetarily compensated for this post. Ford flew me to Detroit, housed me, fed me and showed me a bunch of cool stuff in hopes that I would share what I learned with my readers. I am under no obligation to post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Hello from Detroit and the NAIAS!

Greetings from Detroit! This will be brief as I am blogging from my iPhone, which is hard on the fingers. I feel so lucky to be a part of Ford's "Online Influencers" which is made up of 147 bloggers from around the world. We are here for the North American International Auto Show and this morning we got to see the big reveal of the all new 2013 Ford Fusion.

I will go into all the details when I get back into Connecticut, but I just have to mention that the new Fusion will be available in THREE eco options. THREE! how awesome is that?! Stay tuned for all of the details.