Ford to Showcase Hybrids, Powertrain Solutions at 2009 SAE World Congress
DEARBORN, Mich., April 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EcoBoost engine
technology, the hybrid system that led the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid to best-in-
class 41 highway mpg and Ford's aggressive electrification plan will be key
topics of discussion during the 2009 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
World Congress on April 20-23. This year's conference theme: "Racing to Green
Mobility."
Ford engineers, researchers and academia will present more than 70 papers
during the conference. Ford also is offering up the expertise of Dr. Gerhard
Schmidt, chief technical officer and vice president of Ford Research and
Advanced Engineering; and Sherif Marakby, chief engineer, Ford Global Hybrid
Engineering; for interactive discussions on powertrain technology solutions.
Schmidt will share his insights on how to develop a sustainable global
plug-and-play powertrain platform during the "Future Powertrain Technology
Solutions - 2015 and Beyond" panel on April 21.
The SAE also will honor Schmidt on April 21 as the 2009 winner of the
organization's all-new Franz F. Pischinger Powertrain Innovation Award.
"As a former Ph.D. student of Professor Pischinger, this award is
particularly meaningful to me," said Schmidt. "This award truly recognizes
the team of talented people I've been honored to work beside throughout my
career."
Ford's Marakby will speak to trends in consumer hybrid purchase
considerations during the "Making Green Cool While Staying in the Black" panel
discussion on April 21. Ford's innovative SmartGauge with EcoGuide digital
instrument cluster will be illustrated as a perfect example of cool-factor
hybrid technology.
"What we are discovering is that the notion of a hybrid and its
outstanding fuel economy is what may draw the consumer to the showroom, but
it's the cool factor - the HMI displays, the next-generation navigation
system, Ford SYNC functionality - that is a significant dynamic in the
customer purchase decision," said Marakby.
On April 22, Marakby will lead a more technical discussion on full
hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles as a participant in the
"Which Hybrid Concepts Will Rise to the Top? The Race to the Marketplace"
panel.
Technologies on Tap
Ford is using this year's SAE World Congress to showcase a wide spectrum
of powertrain advancements, including the development of more efficient
lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery systems, which will power the company's future
battery electric, hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles slated for
introduction in 2010 through 2012.
Ford's engine combustion team also will present a number of papers related
to Ford's direct injection, turbocharged EcoBoost gasoline engine technology.
EcoBoost delivers up to 20 percent better fuel economy than traditional
naturally-aspirated engines and reduces CO2 emissions up to 15 percent.
Paul Mascarenas, vice president of engineering for Global Product
Development, will highlight the part played by vehicle weight - as well as
aerodynamics, materials, and electrical loads - in total energy use of a
vehicle during the "Total Vehicle Energy Use Management" panel discussion on
April 22.
"Improving fuel economy involves optimizing every aspect of a vehicle's
energy consumption, including aerodynamics, weight, rolling resistance and
electrical loads. These actions, coupled with state-of-the-art powertrain
technologies, can be seen in many of our newly-launched vehicles," said
Mascarenas, who will act as the session moderator.
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in
Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six
continents. With about 213,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the
company's wholly owned brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The
company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For
more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.
