Ford and VW reveal electric and autonomous plans Ford will use the VW MEB platform for a new EV Volkswagen and Ford have announced that the two firms will expand their collaboration efforts to include new electric models and advance autonomous driving development. Perhaps the most significant news is that Ford will use the VW Group’s Modular Electric Toolkit (MEB) platform to build a mass-market, high-volume pure-electric model in Europe, starting in 2023. VW has previously said that it is open to working with other comapnies with its MEB architecture, and the announcment will be a real bonus for Ford which, although having EV plans of its own, is a long way behind many rivals in the electric marketplace – the VW Group included. Ford expects to build and deliver more than 600,000 vehicles in Europe, built on the MEB platform over six years, and a second all-new Ford model for the European market is under discussion. The two companies will work with Argo AI’s self-driving system, which will see each manufacturer integrate the platform independently into its purpose-built vehicles to support driverless systems for people and goods from both companies. Argo AI’s focus is on delivering Level 4 self-drive systems, for ride sharing and delivery service in urban areas. Ford and Volkswagen will have an equal stake in Argo AI, combined owning a substantial majority.
Origin: Ford and VW reveal electric and autonomous plans
Ford
New Ford Puma makes first UK appearance at Goodwood
The body’s flowing surfaces have been developed under what designer George Saridakis labels an “anti-wedge” policy. What he calls “separated” headlights and tail-lights are also a move against the current trends for “joining everything up”, Saridakis citing the industry fashion for full-width light bars across a vehicle’s tail. The new Puma is based on Ford’s existing B global small car architecture, the same as the Fiesta, but the platform’s inherent flexibility has allowed the Puma to be sized very specifically. It is just 30mm higher than the new Fiesta and the front seating position is raised by the same amount. This is still a compact vehicle, but it is usefully longer than the Fiesta as well as wider, with a wider track. And it squeezes a surprising amount of interior space out of a vehicle that’s smaller than the Focus. Saridakis says he and the project’s chief engineer, Norbert Steffens, worked in the styling studio with “cardboard and tape” trying to extract the maximum luggage space from the Puma structure. This crossover has a claimed 456 litres of boot space, whereas the Focus has just 370 litres. They achieved this by way of what Ford calls a “lower load box”. Cut through the boot floor, the box is a useful 80 litres in capacity and even has a removable plug in the bottom to allow it to be washed out. The Puma’s rigid boot floor can also be fitted in three different ways: low, on top of the load box; at a mid-height, which gives generous hidden storage; and clipped out of the way, by being attached to the backs of the rear seats. Steffens demonstrated that, with the boot floor clipped out of the way, it is possible to load items such as a golf club bag vertically in the back of the Puma thanks to the extra load height offered by the box. Even the parcel shelf has been rethought as a lightweight fabric cover attached to the tailgate itself, which avoids the need to stow an awkward load cover. From an engineering point of view, it’s the Puma’s new 48V mild-hybrid drivetrain that stands out. This is based around an updated version of Ford’s 1.0-litre Ecoboost petrol unit and replaces the conventional alternator with an 11.5kW integrated starter/ generator (called a BISG). It will come in 123bhp and 153bhp guises, with the more powerful version using a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The BISG is connected to the engine via a belt and works in two directions: it can be used when braking and coasting to recover energy (which is stored in a small lithium ion battery) and it can also assist the engine during acceleration. Ford says the hybrid assistance has allowed the engine’s compression ratio to be lowered and a larger turbocharger to be fitted, as the BISG can mitigate turbo lag and keep the engine turning faster. Performance at lower speeds is especially enhanced, says Steffens, with as much as 50% more torque on offer. That improves fuel economy by around 9% on the WLTP economy test. This three-cylinder engine can also switch to two-cylinder running to save fuel and, in stop/start mode, the BISG can restart the engine in 300 milliseconds. Ford says the 48V model’s overall WLTP economy will be 124g/km. A 1.5-litre diesel with a six-speed manual gearbox will also be offered and is expected to be rated at 123g/km. On the handling side, Steffens says the Puma gets a new setting for the electronic power steering, a stiffer attachment for the beam axle and five-stud hubs for a more rigid fixing of the wheels compared with the Fiesta on which it is based. Ford’s hopes for the Puma are also reflected in the list of upmarket options. It will be one of the first Ford models to take local hazard information from the HERE data network, receiving live updates of congestion, crashes, ice and pothole warnings, for example. Adaptive cruise control, blindspot information, pre-collision assist and even lumbar massage front seats show how Ford wants to combine the potential of an executive-level spec in a town-friendly package. Why has you decided to offer diesel engines again, alongside the new 48v Mild hybrid petrol engine? Norbert Steffens, chief engineer Ford Puma: “The 1.5-litre diesel engine is still very slightly more economical than the new hybrid petrol under WLTP testing conditions. We absolute believe that the latest diesel engines are now completely clean (in pollution terms), as clean as petrol. The diesel Puma has a 12-litre Urea tank which will need re-filling between every 2500 and 6000 kilometres. Winter conditions and lots of short journeys are mean much more regular Adblue fill-ups, but that is how we ensure the lowest
Origin: New Ford Puma makes first UK appearance at Goodwood
Rivian is devouring staff from Ford, Apple, Tesla, Faraday Future and more
2019 Rivian R1T Electric TruckHandout / Rivian One EV startup’s loss is another EV startup’s gain. If struggling brand Faraday Future doesn’t understand this now, after having around 50 employees (some who had been furloughed) cross over to take positions at the up-and-coming EV-maker Rivian, it likely never will. And it’s not the only company having its engineering department hollowed out by Rivian. According to some LinkedIn profile-combing performed by The Verge, Rivian has on-boarded dozens of employees from Tesla, McLaren and Ford, as well as some key players from other big tech brands like Apple. In fact, when it recently came time to name its first CTO, the Michigan-based startup called over Mike Bell, a former Apple bigwig who was one of the important players behind the first iPhone. And this aggressive hiring pace is apparently ongoing. Rivian’s director of corporate communications, Michael McHale, told The Verge that the company has a “natural hiring process and is always looking for people with the right skills.”Now, Rivian has been rocking the boat in other ways, too, like when it received support from Amazon to the tune of US$700 million, or when it got another US$500 million from Ford, granting the automaker exclusive access to Rivian tech. But for all the hype and financially backed votes of confidence, some still have their doubts about the brand’s ability to meet its promises, especially when it comes to that pickup truck and its projected 640-km range, which is really what all the hoopla is all about.The race to be the first long-range EV pickup truck to market is ongoing, but Rivian now has 750 reasons (and counting) why it could get there first.
Origin: Rivian is devouring staff from Ford, Apple, Tesla, Faraday Future and more
Lee Iacocca, star CEO who led Ford, saved Chrysler, has died
Chrysler president Lee Iacocca unveils the companys new minivan in 1983, opening a new automotive segment.FCA Lee Iacocca, the U.S. auto executive and television pitchman whose feel for consumers changing tastes helped produce the Ford Mustang and the Chrysler minivan and made him one of the first celebrity CEOs, has died. He was 94.His passing was confirmed by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in a statement. The death was caused by complications from Parkinsons disease, the Washington Post said, citing his daughter Lia Iacocca Assad.Studied in business schools, emulated by a generation of executives, Iacocca was a star salesman for cars and for himself, spurring periodic talk of running for president. (He never did.)Lee Iacocca was truly bigger than life and he left an indelible mark on Ford, the auto industry and our country, Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford said in a statement. I will always appreciate how encouraging he was to me at the beginning of my career. He was one of a kind and will be dearly missed.Iacocca arguably ushered in the era of the celebrity auto executive, with others such as Sergio Marchionne, Elon Musk and Carlos Ghosn following in his footsteps. Marchionne died last year, and Ghosn fell from grace in November after his arrest for financial crimes related to his tenure at Nissan.I didnt always agree with him, but he was a brilliant visionary, said Bob Lutz, former Chrysler president, who worked closely with Iaccoca and clashed with him at times. He was flawed in many ways but when I rated the CEOs I knew, he came out on top.Iacocca was no miracle worker, however, and the American auto industrys struggles didnt end with his tenure. Japanese carmakers saw their U.S. market share grow 10-fold, to about 30 per cent, during his 23 years leading two of Americas Big Three automakers. Chrysler, which averted collapse in 1980 in what may have been Iacoccas crowning achievement, was buffeted by the financial crisis and recession of 2008, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2009.It pains me to see my old company, which has meant so much to America, on the ropes, Iacocca told Newsweek at the time. The company emerged as Chrysler Group LLC, majority-owned by Italys Fiat. It is now named Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.Iacocca first came to prominence when, at 36, he was named general manager of the Ford division in 1960. With a group of like-minded young executives, he formed what became known as the Fairlane Committee named for the inn where they met for brainstorming dinners to discuss how to design a low-cost, sporty car that would entice younger, more affluent families to become two-car households.It had to be a sports car but more than a sports car, Iacocca wrote in his memoir. We wanted to develop a car that you could drive to the country club on Friday night, to the drag strip on Saturday and to church on Sunday. The Mustang, introduced at the 1964 Worlds Fair in New York, was an unqualified hit.Iacocca became president of Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford in 1970. At 46, he was second in command only to Chairman Henry Ford II, grandson of the companys founder and seven years his senior. During Iacoccas eight-year tenure, the two men sparred over topics big and small, from car design to perceived personal slights.Executive-suite reorganizations in 1977 and 1978 resulted in de facto demotions of Iacocca and led to a showdown meeting on July 13, 1978, at which Ford ordered him to resign. His last day on the payroll was Oct. 15, his 54th birthday. He had been at Ford for 32 years.Two weeks after his ouster from Ford, Iacocca took over as president and chief operating officer at Chrysler, brought on by Chairman John Riccardo just as the company reported a quarterly loss of US$160 million, its largest at the time.I really didnt want to retire at 54, Iacocca said at a press conference. I really didnt want to be banished from the auto scene.His 14 years at Chrysler gave Iacocca the chance to pursue initiatives that had met resistance at Ford. These included the fuel-efficient K-series Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant models as well as the first U.S.-produced minivan, introduced in 1983 as the Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan. He steered Chryslers 1987 acquisition of American Motors Corp., with its Jeep franchise.First, though, Iacocca had to save Chrysler from looming bankruptcy.After becoming chairman and CEO in September 1979, he led a cost-cutting program that closed plants and slashed tens of thousands of jobs. He also sealed Chryslers deal with Congress and President Jimmy Carters administration for US$1.5 billion in federal loan guarantees. In 1983, seven years earlier than required, Chrysler finished repaying the $1.2 billion in government-backed loans it had used.As much as for any of his corporate decisions, Iacocca became known as the straight-talking, patriotic pitchman in Chryslers television commercials, produced by New York-based firm Kenyon Eckhardt Inc., in which he vouched
Origin: Lee Iacocca, star CEO who led Ford, saved Chrysler, has died
Ford Mustang creator Lee Iacocca dies at 94
Lee Iacocca, best known for his work in developing the original Ford Mustang, has died at the age of 94. Born in Pennsylvania in 1924, Iacocca studied politics and plastics at the prestigious Princeton University, before joining Ford’s engineering department shortly after the Second World War. Early success at the company was followed by successive promotions to vice-president and general manager of the Ford Division; Ford’s vice-president, car and truck group; executive vice-president; and finally president in 1970. Iacocca was instrumental in the conception of many of Ford’s most successful vehicles, but it was the first-generation Mustang, launched in 1964, that cemented his reputation as one of the most influential engineers of the 20th century. Renowned for his innovative management style, with a heightened focus on collaboration, Iacocca is quoted as once saying: “I hire people brighter than me and then I get out of their way”. With this ethos, Iacocca contributed to a $2 billion profit for Ford in 1978, but constant disagreements with chairman Henry Ford II led to his dismissal that year, and he joined an ailing Chrysler just as the brand had sold its European division to Peugeot in an effort to reduce losses. At Chrysler, Iacocca is credited, essentially, with the birth of the minivan. Inspired by the huge demand for upright, spacious, family-haulers in Japan, the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager were overwhelming sales hits for parent company Chrysler, and are widely associated with its return from the brink of bankruptcy. Iacocca was also responsible for the company’s line of ‘K-cars’ – efficient and compact saloons based on design plans that had been earlier rejected by Ford. These sold in big numbers, allowing Chrysler to later purchase AMC and its Jeep subsidiary – a brand it still owns today. His influential role as president, CEO and chairman of Chrysler rendered him a public figurehead for the brand, and his oft-cited catchphrase – “if you can find a better car, buy it” – helped the company to promote its cars as good-value, reliable and efficient options. Although he officially retired in 1992, from 2005 onwards Iacocca participated in several publicity campaigns for Chrysler, appearing alongside well-known figures like Snoop Dogg and The Muppets. Outside of motoring, Iacocca was a flagbearer for the 1982 restoration of New York’s Statue of Liberty and a campaigner for diabetes awareness following the death of his wife Mary, a sufferer of the disease, in 1983. Iacocca died in his Los Angeles home as a result of complications related to Parkinson’s disease. He is survived by two
Origin: Ford Mustang creator Lee Iacocca dies at 94
New Ford scrappage scheme offers £2000 for old cars
Ford has launched a new scrappage scheme that gives UK car buyers a £2000 discount on new vehicles when they trade in an older car. The discount applies to most of Ford’s mainstream passenger and commercial vehicles, when customers trade in any make or model of older machine. The objective of the scheme, Ford says, is to “take older, less fuel-efficient vehicles off UK roads, replacing them with cleaner and more fuel-efficient new Ford models”. The company says its previous scrappage scheme (2017-2018) took 25,500 older vehicles off the road. Traded-in vehicles will be scrapped at a government-certified disposal facility. To qualify for the discount, customers must order their new Ford model before 30 September, and register it before 31 March 2020. Any passenger or commercial vehicle registered before December 31 2012 can be traded in against a new Ford, regardless of make or model. It must have been registered to the new car buyer for more than 90 days prior to swapping. Passenger models not eligible for the discount include the Ka+ supermini, Mustang, Zetec models and the full range of ST performance cars like the Focus ST and Fiesta ST. The Ranger Raptor pick-up and Transit Connect small van are also exempt. The discount cannot be applied to any vehicle purchased before 1 July. Ford’s UK boss, Andy Barratt, said: “To help reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the use of our vehicles, we are committed to making more efficient, lower-impact vehicles and technologies accessible at scale.” The first scrappage scheme was government-backed, and ran from 2009-2010. Since then, a number of manufacturers have run their own schemes as a means of attracting new customers and contributing to an industry-wide assault on emissions. Mitsubishi, for example, was recently offering £4000 in trade-in value against its Outlander plug-in hybrid, which, when added to the UK government’s now axed subsidy for hybrids, meant customers could save £6500 on the electrified SUV. In December 2018, a new £23 million commercial vehicle scrappage scheme was introduced by the UK government, to help small businesses meet the requirements of London’s new ultra-low emission
Origin: New Ford scrappage scheme offers £2000 for old cars
2019 Ford Ranger crushes IIHS crash tests, matches Toyota Tacoma
The 2019 Ford Ranger in IIHS crash testingIIHS The 2019 Ford Ranger crew cab recently passed all but one of the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) safety tests with flying colours, narrowly missing out on being crowned a Top Safety Pick. The redone midsize pickup earned a rating of “superior” for front crash prevention, and “good” for five evaluations including driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint. For the passenger-side small overlap front test, however, it earned an “acceptable” due to forces felt on the right lower leg of the dummy passenger, suggesting potential risk of injury. Here’s what that looks like (note the crowd watching from the back of the room).With these results, the Ranger SuperCrew still would have earned the Top Safety Pick if it weren’t for a “marginal” in the headlight category bringing it down—even an “acceptable” would’ve been enough. Alas, it was not meant to be this year. It was enough to bring the Ranger up alongside the segment safety leader, the Toyota Tacoma, though. Meanwhile, the midsize competition from Chevrolet and GMC – namely the Colorado and Canyon – scored “good” on all of the same five tests as the Ranger, but only “marginal” on the passenger-side small overlap front test. The two trucks’ headlights were ranked as “poor” and their front crash prevention system as
Origin: 2019 Ford Ranger crushes IIHS crash tests, matches Toyota Tacoma
Ford will close six European plants as part of global downsizing
A contractor works on the yet-to-be-completed engine production line at a Ford factory on January 13, 2015 in Dagenham, England.Carl Court / Getty Ford will eliminate about 20 per cent of its workforce across Europe and close six factories in a sweeping overhaul aimed at reviving the money-losing region as the company also moves to prepare for the future of electric and self-driving cars.The restructuring will involve reducing its manufacturing footprint in Europe to 18 facilities by the end of 2020 from 24 at the beginning of this year.Germany, the U.K. and Russia will be hardest hit by the cuts, which total about 12,000 regular staff as well as workers employed at joint ventures, Ford said Thursday.Separating employees and closing plants are the hardest decisions we make, Stuart Rowley, Fords president of Europe, said in a statement. We are moving forward and focused on building a long-term sustainable future.The cutbacks are a key part of Chief Executive Officer Jim Hacketts US$11-billion restructuring, which also includes 7,000 salaried job cuts worldwide. Hackett, 64, is trying to boost Fords bottom line by exiting the slow-selling sedan market in the U.S. to focus on high-profit sport-utility vehicles and trucks.In Europe, where Ford is the top-selling brand in the U.K., the automaker also is backing away from the traditional passenger-car business to focus on commercial vans and trucks.We have a winning hand in Europe and its called commercial vehicles, then-Chief Financial Officer Bob Shanks said at a May 15 Goldman Sachs conference in New York. Well have a smaller portfolio of passenger vehicles.Ford is cutting costs as it pours billions into electric and self-driving cars that are seen as the future of the auto industry. The company is close to sealing a deal with Volkswagen to join forces to develop these
Origin: Ford will close six European plants as part of global downsizing
Ford shuts down Alabama dealership’s ‘shotgun, Bible and flag’ sales incentive
Alabama is a strange place. Where else in the world would the promise of a free gun, a Bible and American flag be used to sell cars so effectively that the actual automaker would have to step in to put a stop to it? Because we’re not making this up. It’s happening. Now. In Alabama. Down in the town of Chatom, the local dealership, Chatom Ford, thought it’d honour America’s upcoming independence celebration with a special promotion it called “God, Guns and Freedom.” The promo offered anyone buying a car at the dealership a free Bible, a U.S. flag and a certificate good for a 12-gauge shotgun wherever shotguns are sold. “I guess it went viral, as the kids say,” said Koby Palmer, general sales manager at the dealership, in an interview with USA Today, referencing a Facebook video advertising the special, which got over 60,000 views in three days. “We live in a small town of 1,200 people. It’s a very small, rural area. They lean on their religious beliefs, their pride in America and they love to hunt.”Palmer says the dealership sold five vehicles in those three days thanks to the special. The deal was supposed to run until the end of July, but was cut short once Ford caught wind of what was going on. The Facebook post was replaced with a statement that reads, “Ford Motor Company has asked us to stop running the advertisement. They manufacture the products we are franchised to sell, so we are complying with their request.” However, the dealer and automaker must’ve worked something out, because as of June 27, Chatom Ford is promoting a variation on the “God and Glory” sale once again — no “guns.” Now the voucher for a shotgun is instead a certificate for “whatever you want.” That points to Ford’s hang-up quite possibly being on that particular part of the promotion.Well, Happy Independence Day, Murica. Please celebrate
Origin: Ford shuts down Alabama dealership’s ‘shotgun, Bible and flag’ sales incentive
Ford creates off-road Tremor package for Super Duty
The 2020 F-Series Super Duty is delivering next-level capability in an all-new way – the Tremor Off-Road Package. Tremor pushes the boundaries of Super Duty off-road capability with new hardware and tech to handle rough terrain, providing greater towing and payload than Ram Power Wagon. This is the most capable off-road Super Duty ever. Ford has decided to toss its Blue Oval hat into the heavy duty off-road ring with a new package that will be optional on their upcoming 2020 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pickup trucks. Called the Tremor, it will include a dose of off-road cred meant to bring the fight to Rams Power Wagon and GMCs Sierra HD AT4.Upgrades kick off with a set of 35-inch flotation size Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac meats, tires that Ford alleges are the largest diameter tires available on a heavy-duty pickup. They are on 18-inch wheels, by the way. Tremor-equipped trucks also get a 2-inch front-end lift and shorter air dam, resulting in 10.8 inches of ground clearance.See that puddle? Theres a good chance you can plow on through it thanks to Tremors 33-inch water-fording capability. Also on board are the best approach and departure angles ever found on a Super Duty: 31.6 degrees and 24.5 degrees, respectively. Approach angle and ground clearance measures outstrip Power Wagon, by the way.Two extra tidbits regarding the Tremor: itll be available on a myriad of trims and with joy of joys the Power Stroke diesel. In fact, the package will play with XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum on both F-250 and F-350. Thats a huge range of models, ranging from a (relatively) affordable 3/4-ton XLT to a bucks-deluxe Platinum one-tonner.The all-new 7.3-litre gas V8, of which we are yet to learn many details, will be an engine option on Tremor as will the burly 6.7L Power Stroke diesel. An off-road focused diesel-powered heavy duty pickup is a unique weapon that your author can hardly wait to experience. Tremor can be specified on single-rear-wheel SuperCrew trucks with a 6.75-foot box. F-250 models also require the high-capacity trailer tow package. Four-wheel drive is also required, natch.Compared to Power Wagon, the Tremor brings some excellent goods but leaves a few things on the table namely a disconnecting sway bar. Thats a feature that gives the Ram a tremendous amount of wheel travel. A winch is absent from Tremor as well, at least for now. However, Ford takes pains to point out their truck retains outstanding towing and payload capacity, a statement which could be construed as a swipe at Ram, whose Power Wagon doesnt haul as much mail as its non-off road brethren.Your author heartily endorses any new entrant into the off-road arena, especially of the heavy duty variety. Look for the Tremor on order sheets when the 2020 Super Duty shows up later this year, likely at the State Fair of
Origin: Ford creates off-road Tremor package for Super Duty
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