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