| As the global warming threat becomes | | | | producing 1.3 million of these six-speed |
| increasingly known to the global community, | | | | transmissions which will be offered for two |
| public awareness has propelled different | | | | out of the three cars that they will market. |
| industries to protect the environment before | | | | |
| it is too late. The auto industry has | | | | Ford is also the first to use clean diesel |
| started developing newer technology to make | | | | technology for their heavy-duty pickup class |
| vehicles more environment-friendly. Car | | | | vehicles. The 2008 Super Duty is Ford's |
| companies known for producing gas-guzzling | | | | answer to the stricter emission standards set |
| vehicles have been forced to produce smaller | | | | by countries around the world. The |
| and more fuel efficient vehicles. | | | | heavy-duty truck is equipped with a 6.4-liter |
| | | | PowerStroke engine which is dubbed as clean |
| From hybrid electric technology to full | | | | as gasoline powered engines. This |
| electric car technology to alternative fuels, | | | | environment friendliness does not sacrifice |
| car manufacturers have been pouring in their | | | | power as the engine is rated to produce 350 |
| funds so as to develop a new technology which | | | | horsepower and 650 ft-lb of torque. This is |
| will reduce the global community's | | | | another evidence of Ford's commitment to |
| consumption of petroleum fuels thereby | | | | develop vehicles with the environment in |
| reducing greenhouse gas emissions. One of | | | | mind. |
| the leading car manufacturers in terms of | | | | |
| going "green" is the Ford Motor Company. | | | | Another step taken by Ford towards the |
| | | | protection of the environment is the |
| The Dearborn, Michigan-based car manufacturer | | | | transformation of paint fumes too usable |
| not only uses alternative fuel technology to | | | | fuel. At Ford's Michigan Truck Plant in |
| protect the environment but has also taken | | | | Wayne, the company uses a Fumes-to-Fuel |
| green steps in other areas like production | | | | system where the paint fumes are incinerated. |
| and recycling as part of their environmental | | | | The process not only eliminates the volatile |
| protection campaign. One of Ford's | | | | organic compounds found on these fumes but it |
| environment protection related initiatives is | | | | also, at the same time, produces electricity |
| the use of sustainable fabric. One of the | | | | that could still power the facility. This |
| newest redesigned automobiles from Ford, the | | | | process is used in the plant where the Ford |
| 2008 Escape, is reportedly the first U.S. | | | | Expedition and Lincoln Navigator are |
| vehicle to use 100 percent recycled material | | | | assembled. |
| for its fabric seating exterior. | | | | |
| | | | Aside from this paint fume technology, Ford |
| The fabrics used for the 2008 Escape's seats | | | | also uses the flex-fuel technology in their |
| are produced for Ford by Interface Fabrics | | | | dedication to protect the environment. This |
| Inc. These fabrics are made out of | | | | is evident in the 2008 Crown Victoria |
| post-industrial waste or those materials used | | | | Interceptor which will be sued by law |
| for some purpose that is intended for | | | | enforcement agencies. The said police cars |
| consumer use but did not make it to the | | | | are designed to run either on gasoline or on |
| market. Examples of these are plastic bottle | | | | a combination of gasoline and bio-ethanol or |
| caps and waste polyester fabrics. These | | | | E85. |
| materials undergo a process where they are | | | | |
| turned into yarn so as to be used as fabrics | | | | Aside from Ford vehicles using clean engine |
| for the seats of the 2008 Escape. With the | | | | technology, the company has also invested in |
| use of these recycled materials, it is | | | | the preservation and grooming of the natural |
| estimated that Ford has conserved 600,000 | | | | environment surrounding their facilities in |
| gallons of water and eliminated the emission | | | | Dearborn and Allen Park in Michigan. Ford's |
| of 1.8 million pounds of carbon dioxide. | | | | efforts include the maintenance of fields |
| That sure is far more impressive than a | | | | where flora and fauna abound. The company |
| vehicle with a clean engine and a Borla | | | | designated "Grow Zones" which are dedicated |
| exhaust to match. | | | | to the preservation of wildlife habitat among |
| | | | others. |
| Another environmental friendly initiative | | | | |
| that Ford has taken is the use of six-speed | | | | When talking about the surrounding of a Ford |
| automatic transmissions which reduces fuel | | | | facility, their River Rouge assembly facility |
| consumption significantly. These gear boxes | | | | actually sports a "living roof". The roof of |
| are proven to reduce fuel consumption by as | | | | the said facility which covers about 10 acres |
| much as 7 percent on high-speed driving as | | | | is covered with Sedum plants which filters |
| compared to a four-speed transmission. The | | | | rainwater and converts carbon dioxide to |
| Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury brands combine to | | | | oxygen. The facility also harnesses solar |
| offer fifteen models which are offered with | | | | energy which it uses to provide the plant |
| the fuel saving six-speed transmission. By | | | | with additional energy and heated water. |
| the year 2008, Ford expects that they will be | | | | |