Ford Motor Company Recognized as One of the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere

DEARBORN, Mich., March 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ford Motor Company F has been recognized as one of the world's most ethical companies by the Ethisphere Institute, a leading business ethics think tank.

Ford is among 100 global companies chosen for the designation from a field of thousands of companies in more than 100 countries and 36 industries. Ford is the only automaker to receive the honor in 2010. The results are based on an extensive review of companies' social responsibility efforts, corporate governance and business practices.

"Ford Motor Company is honored and pleased to receive this recognition," said Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford. "At Ford, we're not only committed to making great products and building a strong business, we believe in contributing to a better world and doing business in an ethical way."

This is the fourth year Ethisphere has published its list of the world's most ethical companies. The firm is dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics, social responsibility, anti-corruption and sustainability.

"Ford's promotion of a sound ethical environment shines within its industry and shows a clear understanding that operating under the highest standards for business behavior goes beyond goodwill and lip service and is intimately linked to performance and profitability," said Alex Brigham, executive director of the Ethisphere Institute. "This year's award was more competitive than ever, because companies realize that making ethics a priority is critical in a tough and unprecedented economic environment."

The criteria researchers and analysts followed included:

* A review of each company's codes of ethics, litigation and regulatory infraction histories
* An evaluation of investment in innovation and sustainable business practices
* A look into activities designed to improve corporate citizenship
* Input through nominations from senior executives, industry peers, suppliers and customers.


Information was provided to the Institute through formal questionnaires and through additional independent research.

"This honor underscores the efforts by the men and women at Ford Motor Company who diligently and consistently work every day to do the right thing on behalf of all of our stakeholders," Bill Ford said.

The complete list of the 2010 World's Most Ethical Companies can be found at http://ethisphere.com/wme-2010.

Ford Mustang V-6 rated tops for mpg, horsepower

Ford's lucky number is 3. As in 30. And as in 300.

Today, Ford is announcing that its 2011 Ford Mustang has become the first car to produce both 300 horsepower and achieve more than 30 miles a gallon.

The Mustang's official EPA ratings for the new 305-hp 3.7-liter V-6 and available six-speed automatic transmission put it at 31 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city. Subtract 1 mpg on the highway for the standard six-speed manual transmission.

"Advanced powertrains like our Ti-VCT V-6 and six-speed automatic really speak to the future of Mustang," says Barb Samardzich, Ford vice president of Global Powertrain Engineering. "We've proven that, using technology, Ford can deliver both power and fuel economy."

The lightweight, all-aluminum 3.7-liter dual-overhead-cam V-6 engine has twin independent variable camshaft timing to adjust valves in microseconds as the driver changes throttle speed to get greater efficiency. Also contributing to higher fuel economy:

* Electric power steering eliminates the drag of an engine-operated hydraulic power steering pump
* Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions allow lower cruising revs without sacrificing off-the-line performance.
* Better aerodynamics include improvements like a new front fascia, tire spats on the rear wheels, modified underbody shields, a taller air dam and an added rear deck lid seal

The new 2011 Mustang already has more than 11,000 orders. Half of all the nationwide orders are for the car's fuel-efficient 3.7-liter V-6 engine. The 2011 Mustangs are also being equipped with record levels of technology, giving customers the option of choosing navigation, high-intensity-discharge headlamps and rearview cameras.

Ford rolls out all-electric van

Ford Motor Co.'s first all-electric vehicle made its Los Angeles debut this week at the Petersen Automotive Museum, a fitting locale for a manufacturer to take a successful product from its present lineup and push it into the future.

The electric version of a light-duty cargo van that has been available globally since 2003 and has sold more than 600,000 units, the Transit Connect Electric is the first of four electrified vehicles the Detroit manufacturer plans to bring to market by 2012. The Ford Focus Electric passenger car is due out next year; plug-in and next-generation hybrids should be available in two years.

2011 Ford F-Series Power Stroke Diesel is cleanest ever

Dearborn, Mich., March 15, 2010—The Ford F-Series Super Duty, equipped with the 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel engine, averages an 18 percent improvement for pickup models and up to 25 percent improvement for chassis cabs versus 2010 models. Trucks equipped with new base 6.2-liter V-8 gas engine average a 15 percent improvement versus 2010 models.

The new diesel engine is B20 biodiesel compatible and the new gas engine is E85 compatible, providing customers a wide range of fueling options.

Best-in-class fuel economy and class-leading capability—towing of 26,400 pounds and a 6,520-pound payload—is due largely to the all-new 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission, providing more than half the overall improved fuel economy.

Ford introduces patrol car to replace Crown Victoria

Ford's new police car can endure a rear-end crash at 75 m.p.h., easily jump curbs and accelerate twice as fast as Ford's outgoing iconic Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.

"We hope that you will agree that Ford has succeeded in delivering the ultimate new police interceptor," Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, said as he introduced the new car to a group of law enforcement officials in Las Vegas on Friday.

The new car even comes with "stab plates" to protect the driver and front-seat passenger. Police departments can order optional ballistic door panels.

"So you can see this is not a civilian product by any means," Fields said.

The new Interceptor will be built on the same structure as the Ford Taurus sedan at the company's Chicago assembly plant after production of the Crown Victoria ends in late 2011 at Ford's St. Thomas, Ontario, plant, which is to close.

Ford also said it is developing a new SUV-based police vehicle. Ford said it will provide additional details about that vehicle by the end of September.

Ken Czubay, Ford's vice president of U.S. sales and marketing, said Ford expects to maintain its market share in the police vehicle business even though competition is increasing.

Introduced in 1983, the Crown Victoria has long dominated police car sales and accounts for about 75% of the police car market with annual sales of 40,000 to 50,000.

"We are very optimistic that with this vehicle ... we could even gain on that" level of market share, Czubay said.

General Motors, Chrysler and Connersville, Ind.-based Carbon Motors plan to increase their market share or launch new police cars.

Chrysler has set a goal of expanding its police car market share from 17% to 40% in the next 12 to 18 months with its rear-wheel drive Dodge Charger patrol car.

And, in October, GM announced plans to introduce the Chevrolet Caprice police car in 2011. GM said the new Caprice will offer V8 or V6 engines.

Ford also is offering two engine options: A 3.5-liter V6 engine with 263 horsepower and a 3.5-liter direct-injection turbocharged EcoBoost engine with 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.

Ford's Crown Victoria Police Interceptor has been popular with police departments because of its rigid, full-frame construction and rear-wheel drive transmission, all for a relatively low price, said Jim Hall, managing director of 2953 Analytics in Birmingham.

"The bottom line is they have a police car that defines the American police car," Hall said. "Police departments love it for a million reasons, including its durability."

Ford executives said the new vehicle is more durable and performs better than the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.

"We routinely run over 8-inch curbs at 40 m.p.h. to validate suspension strength," said Scott Tobin, Ford's vehicle line director for product development.

Fields also said the new vehicle is the only police car on the market that can withstand a rear-end collision at 75 m.p.h. The seats have areas cut out to accommodate utility belts, and the interior has space for standard police equipment.

2011 Ford Super Duty: Pickup has more pickup and more mpg

Ford will tout its redesigned 2011 Super Duty pickup as the “most capable, fuel-efficient” heavy-duty truck on the market in a national advertising campaign that launches in April.

The Super Duty, which goes on sale that same month, offers Ford's all-new, 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbocharged diesel engine. It will have 735 lb-ft of torque, 390 hp and “class-leading” fuel economy, Ford said. That's 85 lb-ft and 40 hp more than the 2010 pickup.

Ford also will offer a 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engine with 385 hp and 405 lb-ft--85 hp and 40 lb-ft more than the current 5.4-liter V8 gas engine.

The base price on the 2011 Super Duty will be $28,995, including shipping, said Brian Rathsburg, Super Duty marketing manager. That's a $600 increase over a similarly equipped 2010 Super Duty, he said.

The increase includes improved capability and fuel economy, a new automatic transmission, new seats and new safety equipment. The diesel engine sells for an additional $7,835, Rathsburg said.

Capability and fuel efficiency

Ford says its data show that nearly 97 percent of Super Duty buyers tow. The 2011 version can tow up to 24,400 pounds and has a payload capacity of 6,520 pounds.

“Torque is essentially the force generated by the engine to do work, so the higher the torque level, the more that work can be accomplished in terms of towing capacity,” Adam Gryglak, chief diesel engineering manager, said in a statement. “The new Power Stroke diesel enables class-leading towing capability at faster speeds, all with best-in-class fuel economy.”

Ford is not releasing fuel economy estimates for either engine, other than to say the 2011 Super Duty will average of 18 percent better fuel economy on the pickups and up to 25 percent better on the chassis cabs compared with the outgoing model.

The EPA does not require fuel economy estimates to be given on the window sticker because heavy-duty pickups are in a different weight class and do not have to conform to passenger-car standards.

Diesel durability

Ford engineers put the equivalent of more than 10.3 million test miles on the new diesel, including extreme road and weather conditions.

General Motors revealed its heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado at the Chicago auto show this month. It's not releasing horsepower or torque numbers yet but says the re-engineered 2011 pickup will have fifth-wheel towing capability of 20,000 pounds, conventional towing (ball hitch) capability of 16,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 6,335 pounds.

Chevrolet did say its Duramax turbocharged, 6.6-liter diesel V8 has been re-engineered for the 2011 model year. The Chevy diesel will provide more power and torque and about an 11 percent increase in fuel economy over the previous generation.

The heavy-duty Silverado starts production this summer. GM has not released a price for it.

Ford says 25% of Its Vehicles Could Be EVs or Hybrids by 2020

In just 10 years, as much as a quarter of the vehicles that Ford produces could be all-electric or hybrid vehicles, according to the automaker.

As U.S. laws for the average fleet fuel economy take hold, Ford plans to respond by introducing new electric and hybrid models that will constitute at least 10% of the cars it sells and hopefully as much as 25% by 2020, Nancy Gioia, Ford’s director of global electrification, told BusinessWeek.

Hybrid models such as the award-winning Fusion Hybrid and Escape Hybrid will continue to dominate the mix, but Ford also showed off the all-electric Transit Connect and plans to build an electric Focus.

Oddly enough, the biggest competitor to Ford’s hybrid and electric vehicles will simply be improvements to traditional internal-combustion engines, Gioia said. Ford’s direct-injection engines have shown fuel economy improvements of up to 20%.

Gioia also cited the most familiar obstacles to widespread vehicle electrification: plug-in infrastructure, range anxiety and battery cost.

Ford Says Electric, Hybrid Models May Be 25% of Lineup by 2020

Analysts see the cost of gas rising

It may not make much sense, given that the economy remains weak, but the cost of filling up your car is about to go higher.

Seasonal influences are strong this time of year and account for much of the expected increase that many analysts say will push gasoline to a nationwide average of at least $3 per gallon this spring.

Wholesale prices for the April gasoline contract on the New York Mercantile Exchange are about 10 to 12 cents higher than the March contract that expired Friday. Much of the rise comes from refiners switching to more expensive summer blends of gasoline designed to meet tougher pollution standards in effect between April and September. The higher prices should make their way to the pump over the next few weeks.

At $3 per gallon, a typical motorist using 50 gallons of gasoline would pay about $150 per month for fuel. That is about $15 a month more than current prices. A family with one car is spending about 4 percent of its income on fuel currently, according to Oil Price Information Service.

The higher prices come at a time when most Americans' incomes are stagnant. Incomes edged up 0.1 percent in January, below analysts' estimates, according to the Commerce Department.

Gasoline prices were flat overnight, rising 0.1 cents Monday to a national average of $2.705 per gallon, according to auto club AAA, Wright Express and OPIS.

Prices have moved higher the past two weeks, approaching the 2010 high of $2.7583 per gallon set on Jan. 14. In the past week prices climbed 5.7 cents and are now 78.4 cents higher than year ago levels.

The Energy Information Administration will release figures on nationwide retail gasoline prices later Monday.

Prices have been going up even though the economy remains weak and demand for fuel is tepid.

The total number of miles driven in the U.S. last year was about flat with 2008 and below 2004 levels for the second year in a row, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

Crude oil prices are more than twice what they were a year ago when the U.S. was mired in the Great Recession. Investors look for global demand to pick up as the economy improves, especially in China and other developing countries.

Oil prices got to $80.62 a barrel Monday on the NYMEX before falling back to settle at $78.70, down 96 cents. The $80 level has been tough for oil to crack. It has reached the mark time and again over the past several months only to fall back again.

A stronger dollar also was a drag on oil Monday. Oil is traded in dollars on global markets and becomes more expensive for international investors who hold other currencies.

GM recalling 1.3M vehicles over steering problems

DETROIT (Reuters) -- General Motors Co. is recalling 1.3 million compact cars in North America to address a power steering problem that has been linked to 14 crashes and one injury, the company said on Tuesday.

U.S. safety regulators opened an investigation on Jan. 27 into approximately 905,000 Cobalt models in the United States after receiving more than 1,100 complaints of power steering failures. The complaints included 14 crashes and one injury.

The recall covers the 2005-2010 model year Chevrolet Cobalt and 2007-2010 Pontiac G5 in the United States; 2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit sold in Canada, and the 2005-2006 Pontiac G4 sold in Mexico, GM said in a statement.

GM said it told the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about the voluntary recall on Monday after concluding its own investigation that began in 2009.

GM said the affected vehicles can be still be "safely controlled" but it may require greater steering effort under 15 mph. Drivers will see a warning light and hear a chime if the power steering fails.

"After our in-depth investigation, we found that this is a condition that takes time to develop. It tends to occur in older models out of warranty," GM Vice President of Quality Jamie Hresko said in the statement.

"Recalling these vehicles is the right thing to do for our customers' peace of mind," he said.

GM said it is currently developing a remedy to fix the problem and will notify customers when the plan is finalized.

The recall comes at a time of heighted public and regulatory scrutiny over vehicle safety issues in the wake of massive recalls by Toyota Motor Corp.

Toyota global quality control chief Shinichi Sasaki and North American President Yoshimi Inaba are scheduled to appear before a Senate committee on Tuesday for a third hearing on its handling of consumer complaints about sudden acceleration.