Post by TonyV on Jan 8, 2010 13:47:49 GMT -5
Posted: 12:32 p.m. Jan. 8, 2010
Ford to introduce new engines, transmissions
By BRENT SNAVELY
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER
Ford Motor said today it plans to introduce nine new or upgraded engines and six new transmissions on its cars and trucks during 2010.
The automaker also announced Friday it will show many of those engines as part of an enlarged display space at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit that is nearly twice as big as last year.
Barb Samardzich, Ford’s vice president of powertrain engineering, said the number of new engines and transmissions is unprecedented in her 17 years at Ford.
“To have a year like this is probably a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Samardzich said.
This year, Ford plans to introduce new engines and transmissions in its Fiesta subcompact, Mustang sports car, Super Duty pickup and F-150 pickup.
Samardzich said the engines and transmissions are part of a five-year plan aimed at introducing a total of 60 new engines and transmissions between 2008 and 2013. It’s also part of the company’s effort to become a fuel economy leader.
Ford also said Friday it has expanded its space at the Detroit auto show by 48% to 54,000-square-feet this so that it can display many of its new engines as well as its new Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks.
This year, Ford’s engine displays will include a demonstration by two assembly line robots the company uses to build engines at its plants. At another display, a panel of video screens in a circular steel cage drops from the ceiling to surround a driver sitting in a Ford Taurus fill-size sedan and simulates the driving experience.
In past years, automakers have fought for space at Cobo Center. But this year, some automakers have pulled out and other have reduced their space.
“We had the opportunity to expand our presence and the timing could not have been better,” said John Felice, general manager, Ford, Lincoln-Mercury marketing.
The North American International Auto Show opens to the press on Monday and the public on Jan. 16.
Contact BRENT SNAVELY : 313-222-6512 or bsnavely@freepress.com
Ford to introduce new engines, transmissions
By BRENT SNAVELY
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER
Ford Motor said today it plans to introduce nine new or upgraded engines and six new transmissions on its cars and trucks during 2010.
The automaker also announced Friday it will show many of those engines as part of an enlarged display space at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit that is nearly twice as big as last year.
Barb Samardzich, Ford’s vice president of powertrain engineering, said the number of new engines and transmissions is unprecedented in her 17 years at Ford.
“To have a year like this is probably a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Samardzich said.
This year, Ford plans to introduce new engines and transmissions in its Fiesta subcompact, Mustang sports car, Super Duty pickup and F-150 pickup.
Samardzich said the engines and transmissions are part of a five-year plan aimed at introducing a total of 60 new engines and transmissions between 2008 and 2013. It’s also part of the company’s effort to become a fuel economy leader.
Ford also said Friday it has expanded its space at the Detroit auto show by 48% to 54,000-square-feet this so that it can display many of its new engines as well as its new Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks.
This year, Ford’s engine displays will include a demonstration by two assembly line robots the company uses to build engines at its plants. At another display, a panel of video screens in a circular steel cage drops from the ceiling to surround a driver sitting in a Ford Taurus fill-size sedan and simulates the driving experience.
In past years, automakers have fought for space at Cobo Center. But this year, some automakers have pulled out and other have reduced their space.
“We had the opportunity to expand our presence and the timing could not have been better,” said John Felice, general manager, Ford, Lincoln-Mercury marketing.
The North American International Auto Show opens to the press on Monday and the public on Jan. 16.
Contact BRENT SNAVELY : 313-222-6512 or bsnavely@freepress.com