Reports on the latest technological advances in the auto industry.
2006/2/9
@ 10:56 AM (29 months, 25 days ago)
Christer Gerlach, the record-breaking Swedish driver and adventurer, successfully completed the '(R)Sorento Around the World Expedition' -- a 27,000-kilometer global adventure -- on Friday (December 16), when he drove his completely standard Kia Sorento SUV up to the gates of Stockholm's Royal Palace almost exactly four months to the day since his mid-August departure from this Swedish landmark. 'My earlier confidence in the performance, quality and reliability of the Kia Sorento proved to be well founded,'+/- enthused the 61-year old Swede. 'The Sorento's large diameter wheels and tires were essential to successfully finding an off-road route across much of Asia, as there simply were no roads or tracks to follow for much of the journey. I am of course delighted to be home in time for Christmas, but I am surprisingly fatigue-free as the Kia also proved to be a remarkably comfortable vehicle, even for this rather extraordinary journey.'+/- Gerlach's round-the-globe adventure took him to 11 countries, including the remotest regions of Kazakhstan and Mongolia, and a 3,500-kilometer wilderness trek across the largely unmapped wastelands of Siberia en route to the famous Russian port of Vladivostok and the ferry to South Korea, the half-way point in his epic journey. For this demanding challenge, Gerlach chose a 3.5-liter, V6-engined, automatic transmission Sorento, running in completely standard specification and on normal road tires. The Swede's 'fullest confidence in Kia's 4x4'+/- led to his decision to him to travel solo, without a support team, and to schedule one engine oil change as the only maintenance throughout this mammoth motoring expedition. Gerlach's pre-departure confidence was indeed well founded. The only unscheduled attention the Sorento required en route to Korea was to fix two punctures, one light bulb and one loose headlamp. During the second half of the world tour, Gerlach had to fix another light bulb, but otherwise the Kia ran entirely '(R)trouble-free.' The second half featured a trans-continental multi-state crossing of the USA and Mexico via Route 66 (visiting California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas and South Carolina); a trans-Atlantic voyage aboard the world's largest car transporter vessel (the 7,000 car capacity Boheme) to Bremerhaven in Germany; and the final leg, via the 8-kilometer Oresund bridge from Denmark, to his Swedish home town. 'We are extremely proud to have partnered Christer during his epic adventure,'+/-' ...
2006/2/7
@ 12:08 PM (29 months, 27 days ago)
The 2006 Ford Fusion breathes a fresh attitude into the American mid-size car. It distinguishes itself in what is the most competitive of vehicle segments with its standout exterior design and engaging driving dynamics. Fusion brings to the segment good fuel economy, advanced safety, clean emissions and roomy interior space - all at an attractive value. The design of the Fusion was inspired by the Ford 427 concept, a runaway hit with recent auto show crowds. Fusion takes several design cues from the 427, especially its bold three-bar grille and multi-element projector-beam headlamps. The concept car also inspired Fusion's optional charcoal-black leather interior with contrasting oatmeal-colored seat stitching. The new Fusion takes a central position between the award-winning Focus and the flagship Five Hundred sedan. As J Mays, group vice president, Design and chief creative officer, puts it, "Even standing still, the Fusion looks like it's ready to burst out of the blocks. The strong, muscular three-bar chrome grille sets the tone for a bold new look that will change the mid-size sedan segment." Inside, Fusion challenges the class leaders in roominess, including front shoulder room, rear seat legroom and trunk space. A choice of three distinct interior themes allows customers to personalize their driving environment. On all models, a variety of high-end features are available, including tilt-and-telescope steering wheel, heated front seats and a six-disc in-dash CD player that also reads MP3-encoded audio discs. Satisfying ride and rewarding handling begin with a stiff chassis, and Fusion boasts torsional rigidity 12.7 percent higher than the already outstanding base architecture. This allows the four-wheel independent suspension to absorb driving harshness and respond more precisely to steering inputs. "The Fusion's steering is responsive and agile," explains Brian Vought, Fusion chief engineer. "We spent a lot of time to get just the right steering feel." Four-wheel power disc brakes are standard on Fusion, and a 4-sensor, 3-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) is optional. The soul of any driver's car is its engine, and Fusion offers a choice of Ford's 2.3-liter Duratec 23 I-4 or 3.0-liter Duratec 30 V-6. Both feature all-aluminum construction, dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, intake Variable Cam Timing (i-VCT) and electronic throttle control to deliver smooth, spirited performance, along with good fuel economy and emissions ratings. The four-cylinder engine delivers 160 horsepower, and can be paired with a five-speed manual or automatic transaxle. Also good news for the environment, the Duratec 23 I-4 will be rated as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) in California . It will be the Ford brand's third PZEV application, after the Escape Hybrid and Focus PZEV. The standard Duratec 23 and five-speed manual returns 23 miles per gallon (mpg) city, and 31 mpg highway. For even more power, there's the 221-horsepower 3.0-liter V-6, which is paired with an advanced six-speed automatic transaxle. With this wide 6:1 overall span - versus the 4.5:1 for a typical five-speed - the six-speed automatic delivers impressive performance as well as 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway. Fusion benefits from some of the latest safety technologies available - from cutting-edge metallurgy to air bags. For example, the Fusion is designed to meet stringent new side-impact tests. Fusion's B-pillars are made by welding two blanks of steel end-to-end - resulting in a stronger top of the vehicle and more flexible bottom. This facilitates energy absorption during a crash below the level of the occupants. The strong steel structure at the torso level and above helps prevent intrusion into the passenger compartment. Inside, Fusion has a long list of advanced safety technologies to protect occupants. They include Ford's Personal Safety System(tm) with dual deployment front air bags, energy-absorbing safety belts and load-limiting retractors. Inside, engineers set out to maximize the spaciousness of Ford's all-new CD3 architecture for all occupants, stretching the width 30 millimeter (1.18 inches) and the length 55 millimeter (2.17 inches) to challenge the class leaders in key interior dimensions such as front shoulder room, rear-seat legroom and trunk space. Fusion designers also worked hard to ensure passengers can slip into the back seat with ease. In a packaging exercise, the designers even donned size 14 shoes to confirm that someone with that foot size could enter and exit without brushing the B-pillar scuff plate or the back of the front seat. Their goal was ...
2006/2/5
@ 12:10 PM (29 months, 29 days ago)
Due to increased global demand for its models with MZR engines of 1.8 or 2.3-liter displacement, Mazda Motor Corporation has plans to raise production capacity at its head office plant in Hiroshima. In May 2005, MZR engine production figures stood at 537,000 units produced per annum, and this has subsequently been raised to 650,000 units. With positive Mazda momentum creating more demand, production of the MZR engine will be further increased in January 2006 to 705,000 units per annum. Starting with the sales launch of the Mazda6 in May 2005, the MZR has become the mainstay engine of vehicles like the Mazda3, Mazda5 and MX-5 Roadster, powering roughly 75 percent of Mazda vehicles made in Japan. Additionally, in August 2005, Mazda introduced the high power and eco-friendly MZR DISI Turbo, a direct injection gasoline engine linked with an intercooler and mounted on the Mazdaspeed Mazda6. This increase in engine production capacity has become necessary to respond to the strong sales of Mazda3 and MX-5 Roadsters in Europe and North America. At the same time, Mazda is aligning its engine production and supply with a view to the U.S. launch of the CX-7 SUV Crossover, scheduled for Spring 2006, along with the Japan launch of the All-New MPV in February 2006. "Strong sales of the Mazda3 mean that Mazda has to increase production to try and meet demand and, with more new generation models coming, ...
2006/2/3
@ 09:24 AM (30 months, 1 day ago)
Technology such as Roll Stability Control, Night VisionTM and computer-controlled ignition keys, no doubt, make Ford Motor Company's products better. But they also have a lot of commercial value to suppliers, other industries, and even other automakers. Technology Commercialization, Inc., part of Ford Global Technologies, LLC, actively seeks markets to license out Ford's innovative technologies. By doing so it helps Ford's bottom line generating millions of dollars in license revenue and cost-savings. "We don't create the technology, but we work with Ford's technologies and think of the best commercial applications for it," said Keith Hughes, director, Technology Commercialization. "We are very much leveraging Ford's innovations." Consisting of only a five-person specialized staff, in 2004 Technology Commercialization's revenue was $4.5 million, growing by 25 percent each of the last few years. It also is projected to have earned Ford over $10 million in cost savings. Cost savings occur, for example, when a licensee takes on the cost of managing a licensed technology. Technology Commercialization manages over 200 royalty-bearing licenses, on a wide variety of technologies. Some of its top-sellers include the Ford-invented ignition keys, which they license to locksmiths and other automakers. And Ford's Night VisionTM technology-considered to be the best around-is licensed out to the government for military applications, as well as for home and commercial security surveillance. Likewise, the Ford-invented trunk release handle-which lets someone get out of a locked trunk-is licensed to DaimlerChrysler and General Motors. Software used in vehicle computer systems is another large area of Technology Commercialization's licensing efforts, generating up to 35 percent of revenues. Technology Commercialization works with automotive suppliers, such as Lear, TRW, Bosch, but they also actively seek markets in outside, specialized companies. But it isn't giving away Ford's innovative advantages, however. They are capitalizing on it. "We are generating royalty from components, but we are also maintaining a competitive advantage." said Chris Danowski, licensing manager, Technology Commercialization. "You don't necessarily want to license out your best technology, but you can offer earlier iterations, get revenue from them, and still be on top of the curve." For example, by licensing out first-generation Hill Decent Control technology, while working on second- or third-generation versions, Ford maintains its leadership. Plus, by providing earlier iterations of a technology it creates market interest in a product. Nonetheless, licensing deals with suppliers or other third parties include agreements that protect Ford's position. Technology Commercialization works closely with Ford's scientific research community, offering guidance and feedback on commercialization potential. Often scientists and engineers, so involved in the technical side, may not be entirely aware of the commercial applications. "A lot of engineers and scientists like us because they invent things or make something and it doesn't always quickly make it into production," said Hughes. "And they see us as an ally to help them commercialize their technology. So it's a real encouragement for them." With business backgrounds in sales, marketing, product development and software-the Technology Commercialization team can see things from a strategic perspective. It can work with say, Purchasing, and make sure that Ford doesn't give away its ideas, and instead looks at ways to patent and own ideas and sell them. "We are proactive about what technology we ought to be patenting and where the commercial opportunities are," said Hughes. "If, for example, there is a great technology created and Ford at the moment can't utilize it, we might go ahead and get a patent on it and try to license it out. Ford cannot use all of the inventiveness that comes out in the company, as much as I'd love that to be the case. Technologies Commercialization enables us to get good value for that kind of technology."...
2006/2/2
@ 10:49 AM (30 months, 2 days ago)
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) announced today it has completed the sale of The Hertz Corporation to an investor group of leading private equity firms. The investor group, composed of Clayton Dubilier & Rice, The Carlyle Group and Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity, purchased the equity of The Hertz Corporation in a transaction valued at approximately $15 billion including debt. Under the terms of the agreement, which was entered into last September, Ford received $5.6 billion in cash for the sale of its 100 percent ownership interest in Hertz. As a result of the sale of Hertz, Ford will recognize a pre-tax gain in the fourth quarter of 2005 that is estimated to be in the range of $1.1 billion to $1.3 billion. Hertz operates the largest general-use car rental business in the world and one of the largest industrial, construction and material handling equipment rental businesses in North America, based on revenues. Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With nearly 325,000 employees and 110 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Motor Credit Company...
