Demand for green solutions: growth for Ford Ecoboost engines

Asia Pacific customers’ demand for green solutions drive rapid growth for Ford Ecoboost engines

• Asia Pacific sales of Ford’s EcoBoost-equipped vehicles soars 260 per cent in June; 195 per cent growth in first half
• Ford’s EcoBoost technology allows greater efficiency, lower emissions without sacrificing performance
• Ford to offer EcoBoost engines in 20 vehicles in Asia Pacific markets by mid-decade

Auckland, 11 July 2013 – As automotive customers in Asia demand even more environmentally sustainable technologies, Ford is seeing record region-wide sales in Asia Pacific for its EcoBoost engine.

Ford’s overall sales in the region rose an impressive 28 per cent to 599,390 wholesale units in first half, and consumer demand for EcoBoost-equipped vehicles has grown even more quickly as Ford has introduced more vehicles available with the engines. Region wide, sales of EcoBoost-equipped vehicles rose 260 percent in June to 15,921 units, wrapping up a first half in which sales jumped 195 percent to 66,217 units.

“At Ford, we believe we best serve our customers by offering them the power of choice in vehicles and powertrains,” said Dave Schoch, president, Ford Asia Pacific. “The phenomenal growth of EcoBoost-equipped cars shows how we’re going further to make greener vehicles that meet the needs of our diverse customers in this region.”

Using turbocharging and advanced direct injection technologies together with reduced engine displacement, Ford’s EcoBoost engines offer up to 20 percent gain in fuel efficiency and a 15 percent reduction in CO2 emissions compared with the larger-displacement engines they replace, without sacrificing vehicle performance. Moreover, these efficiency gains are achieved at better value than many other advanced fuel-efficiency technologies.

“In a region like Asia Pacific, where different countries have very different market conditions, our EcoBoost engines allow us to offer more customers real improvements, more quickly and with greater flexibility,” added Schoch. “It’s a proven technology offering real environmental advantages that over time will also save our customers money.”

Growing greener
As customer demand for EcoBoost-equipped vehicles rises, Ford is working hard to meet demand. The company recently doubled its China-based engine manufacturing capacity with the opening of the US$500 million Changan Ford Engine Plant in the city of Chongqing. In addition to a naturally aspirated 1.5L four-cylinder engine, the plant will produce Ford’s three-cylinder 1.0L EcoBoost engine, recently named International Engine of the Year for a second consecutive year.

By the end of 2013, six plants across Europe, Asia and North America will be producing EcoBoost engines for nearly 80 percent of Ford’s nameplates globally. And by mid-decade, Ford Asia Pacific will be offering EcoBoost engines in a total of 20 vehicles, a fivefold increase from 2012.

Comprehensive, portfolio approach
EcoBoost engines are part of Ford’s portfolio approach to developing sustainable technologies and alternative fuel options. The approach aims to meet different customer needs with a range of fueling options, including fuel-efficient EcoBoost® gasoline engines, advanced diesel engines, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, all-electric vehicles and alternative-fuel vehicles.

Taking advantage of the flexibility of Ford’s global vehicle platforms, the company can more easily introduce different fueling options depending on customer demand and the requirements of individual markets.

Ford’s deployment of more-efficient engines across its product range is being accompanied by other innovations to increase efficiency.

Weight reductions of 250 to 750 pounds per vehicle are helping to reduce fuel requirements and enable the use of smaller engines. And smart, green solutions like advanced transmissions, Auto Start-Stop technology and electric power-assisted steering add up to significant fuel efficiency improvements, lower CO2 emissions and a better driving experience.

“Our customers in Asia Pacific have made it clear that they want vehicles that offer the best green technologies without sacrificing capability and versatility,” said Schoch. “We intend to continue to deliver for our customers by expanding our offering of smart and green technologies like Ford’s EcoBoost across the region.”

EcoBoost in New Zealand
EcoBoost™ is featured across the Ford New Zealand range, including:
• Fiesta ST: 1.6 EcoBoost™, 134kW,peak torque of 290Nm, 5.9 L/100kms
• Focus ST: 2.0L EcoBoost™, 184 kW, 360Nm, 7.2 L/100kms
• Falcon: 2.0L EcoBoost™, 179 kW, 353Nm, 8.1 L/100kms
• All-New Kuga all-wheel drive: 1.6L EcoBoost™, 134 kW, 240Nm, 7.7 L/100kms
• Mondeo Titanium: 2.0L EcoBoost™, 176 kW, 340Nm, 7.7 L/100kms
• All-New Fiesta (arriving Q4 2013): 1.0L EcoBoost™, 92 kW, 170Nm, 4.9 L/100kms

For more information, search EcoBoost or Ford New Zealand.

All sales figures quoted are based on wholesale numbers.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 175,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit http://corporate.ford.com

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