In recognition of Earth Day, April 22, this week’s ‘Top Ten’ list focuses on some of Ford’s latest ‘green’ initiatives.Ford’s comprehensive global sustainability strategy includes a focus on the development of environmentally friendly vehicle technologies, including hybrids, diesels, bio-diesels, advanced engines and transmissions, E85 ethanol, plug-in hybrids, hydrogen internal combustion engines and fuel cells. In addition, Ford is introducing sustainable efforts throughout the company in manufacturing, materials and facilities management.

Ford’s commitment to ‘green’ vehicle technologies will result in improved fuel economy for our customers and reduced CO 2 emissions. Other ‘green’ efforts will help us minimize our environmental impact through the conservation of energy and a reduction in pollution, while saving the company and customers money.

1. Use of Sustainable Fabric – The 2008 Ford Escape is believed to be the first U.S. automotive application of 100 percent recycled fabric seating surfaces. The new fabric, supplied by Interface Fabrics, Inc., is produced from 100 percent post-industrial waste. Post-industrial waste is something originally intended for retail use that never makes it to the consumer. It can include anything from plastic intended for pop bottles to un-dyed polyester fibers that don’t make the cut for consumer use.This plastic and polyester is processed, spun into yarn, dyed and woven into seat fabric. Recycling waste otherwise destined for landfills has obvious environmental benefits. Interface Fabrics estimates that Ford’s use of post-industrial recycled materials, rather than virgin fibers, will conserve up to:

- 600,000 gallons of water
- 1.8 million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO 2) equivalents
- The equivalent of more than 7 million kilowatt hours of electricity.

2. Leader in Fuel-Efficient 6-speed transmissions – Ford, Lincoln and Mercury offer 15 models that are available with fuel-saving 6-speed transmissions. Ford plans to produce about 1.3 million 6-speed transmissions annually by 2008. Two out of every three vehicles will be offered with 6-speed transmissions by the end of next year. Fuel efficiency is improved up to 7 percent in highway driving over typical 4-speed transmissions while offering better performance and smoother, more precise shifts.

3. Ford Introduces First Clean Diesel in Heavy-Duty Pickup Segment – Ford is leading the diesel revolution with the 2008 Super Duty, offering the segment’s first clean diesel engine. The new 6.4-liter diesel utilizes Ford Clean Diesel Technology™ and meets the most stringent emissions standards in the world while increasing power and torque in an engine that is smooth and quiet. The 6.4-liter PowerStroke® clean-diesel makes an impressive 350 horsepower at 3,000 rpm and 650 foot-pounds of torque starting at 2,000 rpm while reducing particulate output by up to 97 percent to a level on par with gasoline engines.

4. Sustainable Landscaping Preserves Environment and Looks Good – In an effort to conserve natural resources, improve habitat and lower costs, Ford has installed nearly 200 acres of sustainable landscaping around its corporate properties in Dearborn and Allen Park, Mich. The comprehensive grounds maintenance plan incorporates fields of wildflowers, natural prairies and fallow fields. Several prairie fields are designated ‘Grow Zones,’ meaning they contribute to a sustainable environment by preserving natural resources, providing wildlife habitat, absorbing rainwater, reducing erosion and saving maintenance costs.

5. First Two-Time Winner of EPA’s ENERGY STAR Award – Ford’s actions to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its facilities have earned it the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s coveted ENERGY STAR 2007 Partner of the Year Award in Energy Management. Ford is the first automaker to receive the award two years in a row. In 2006, Ford improved energy efficiency in the U.S. by 5 percent, resulting in savings of approximately $25 million. Since 2000, Ford’s U.S. facilities have improved energy efficiency by 25 percent, equivalent to the amount of energy consumed by 220,000 homes.