The fuel economy numbers for Ford’s four MAP-built vehicles

With production of the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid started, Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant (MAP) is now the only manufacturing site in the world to build vehicles with five different fuel-efficient powertrains on the same line.

It also becomes the only one to build four vehicles that deliver 40 mpg or more in real-world driving.

Those four over 40 mpg vehicles built by MAP are the C-MAX Energi, C-MAX Hybrid, Focus Electric and Focus SE with SFE (Super Fuel Economy) package.

“Michigan Assembly Plant is setting a new global standard for flexible manufacturing, and is a central part of Ford’s important milestone, sweeping Toyota across the board for fuel economy leadership,” said Jim Tetreault, Ford vice president of North America Manufacturing. “The transformation of this plant is proof of how our One Ford plan has transformed our products, giving our customers industry-leading choices for hybrids, plug-ins, electrics and EcoBoost-powered vehicles.”

The fuel economy numbers for Ford’s four MAP-built vehicles are as follow and as provided by Ford, including the Toyota comparison comments:

• C-MAX Hybrid at 47 mpg combined beats Prius v by 7 mpg in the compact hybrid utility segment

• C-MAX Energi at 100 MPGe combined beats Prius Plug-in by 5 MPGe in the plug-in hybrid market

• Focus SFE at 40 mpg highway beats Corolla by 6 mpg in the compact segment

• Focus Electric at 110 MPGe city does not have a Toyota competitor.

Let’s just hope Ford is very sure of these numbers and will not be stuck with a “procedural” mistake in its mpg calculations like Hyundai and Kia did recently.

Ford is very proud of the flexible manufacturing efforts it has undergone and said its Manufacturing and Product Development teams began working together four years ago to develop product platform designs that enable the use of programmable equipment to produce multiple variations of products in one facility; today, more than 80 percent of the tooling in the plant’s body shop can be programmed to weld a variety of body styles. This allows Ford to quickly adjust the mix between models as customer preferences change.

Source:
hybridcars.com

Small Low-Speed EVs won a large market

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In the third quarter, Tesla’s stock rose nearly 9-percent.

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The Volt’s British version, the Ampera, has been honored as Green Vehicle of the Year

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Toyota to launch a sedan version of the new low-cost car in China

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Tesla Model S is winner for this year

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2012 Ram 2500 CNG is the only OEM-built compressed natural gas-powered

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A123 Battery module for hybrid vehicles

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Hyundai introduced a new hydrogen car

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British scientists have developed a technology for production of Petrol From Air

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Californians will potentially save $5,250 from the purchase price

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Fisker along with 3M could not resist the allure.

"Gloss Burnt Orange and Brushed Black Metallic “October Sun” commemorates the fall season."

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DeltaWing again in the stand and is ready to participate in the races

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Review 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8

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The new standard SAE approved is called Combo

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New photos Porsche Cayenne Turbo S (2012)

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2014 Accord Hybrid will sell in the U.S. by 2015.

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Jetta Hybrid set a new speed record!

After becoming the world’s fastest hybrid at Bonneville in August, the Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid LSR returned to the Salt Flats on Oct. 5 to break the Southern California Timing Association’s (SCTA) H/PS land speed record.

The prestigious award joins a growing list of accolades and trophies for the Ampera

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Cadillac ELR will deliver a sporting luxury coupe with Chevrolet Volt-based technology for 2014.

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Musk: Finances Tesla get better by November

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Toyota Canada Inc.’s increased Total Sales of hybrids by 8.8%

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New Mitsubishi Outlander was shown at an exhibition in Paris

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New features hybrid Honda CR-Z

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Toyota EV Minicar does't meet the requirements of the market

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Toyota is planning to tackle the fuel economy issue via turbocharging!

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Nissan-Renault alliance the development of a EV electrics industry

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Automakers have signed on to the new fuel economy requirements

The average fuel efficiency of new cars hit an all-time in the first half of this year, according to new research released this afternoon by a West Bloomfield auto-industry research firm.

The Source East program will do the popularity EV motoring in the UK

In the United Kingdom, electric vehicle owners in several eastern English counties are being offered home charging units at 75 percent less than the normal rate.

Some Cyclists not obeying the rules of the road

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Emerging Technology Partnerships Lead to the Unification of Automakers

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MoT’s make access to important information about problems cars

It may not seem surprising that millions of cars fail their annual MoT as there are an estimated 34 million on the roads of Britain today. However, a recent report has shown that some cars are more susceptible than others to problems.

Now 2013 Camaro SS Coupe 1LE is ready to make history again!

Since it roared onto the street in 1967 Camaro has been a force to be reckoned with — the epitome of what a performance car should be.

Young Drivers favour of safety cameras on the roads

Safety cameras are often a sore point for Britain’s drivers as many of us have been caught out and had to pay a fine for a seemingly minor incident. However, it seems there is a growing number of younger drivers that are actually in favour of safety cameras and think that there should be more on the roads.

Hybrid option from Toyota Avalon

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One option will be the familiar 3.5-liter DOHC V6 that sees duty in the current Avalon hooked to a revised six-speed automatic transmission. Toyota claims that this combination will achieve a fuel-mileage rating of 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

The 2013 Audi A4 Allroad is a more upmarket machine

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Bentley EXP 9 F, the Lamborghini Urus and the Maserati Kubang who will win?

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Systems "driverless cars" should lead to lower car insurance rates!

The first "driverless cars" now are hitting the highways, aiming to reduce accidents and make traveling safer. Fewer accidents should lead to lower car insurance rates. But who will be "at fault" if an automated car causes a crash?

Tesla's Model S luxury auto is spectacular.

The electric wonder's attributes go far beyond its claim to fame as the longest-range production electric car, EPA rated at 265 miles. (Tesla says it will go 300 miles at a continuous 55 miles per hour.) Most electric cars can't do much more than 100 miles a charge, unless they have backup gas engines, like the Chevrolet Volt. Tesla has no backup.

2013 Ford Mustang is winner, this is great news!

The 2013 Ford Mustang configurator is back online with new features. Now, normally, this wouldn't warrant a mention. But the contest in which you could win a new Mustang, Mustang GT, Boss 302 or Shelby got our attention.

Style and Design

Italy's Terra dei Motori, translated as the “land of engines,” is familiar and sacred ground among the automotive literate. Born out of mechanical engineering and craftsmanship, the country's most illustrious supercars are built in the famous enclaves of Maranello, Sant'Agata Bolognese and Castelfranco Emilia. Creations capable of speeds in excess of 205 mph not only require powerful engines and mechanical prowess; they must also embody certain characteristics that improve the function of the form. This is where Flavio Manzoni, Filippo Perini and Horacio Pagani make their marks.

New Outlander Hybrid EV it's cool...

Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) will introduce the all-new Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV At the forthcoming 2012 Paris Motor Show ("Mondial de l’Automobile"), running between September 27 and October 14.

Superbus next step is to clean technologies

Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend may not have been called prophets, but with the emergence of the Superbus, that could all change.

The Dutch-built six-wheeled lithium-ion-battery-powered vehicle is a “Magic Bus” indeed.

Harman will not install Apple's move into autos

Harman International Industries Inc said it will not be affected by Apple Inc's plans to offer voice activated real-time traffic updates and turn-by-turn navigation in cars.

A new round of development of the Economical Electric Motors

Next-generation electric motors for low carbon emission vehicles are the target of a new collaborative research program to be led by Cobham Technical Services.

The project, “Rapid Design and Development of a Switched Reluctance Traction Motor,” will also involve partners Jaguar Land-Rover (JLR) and engineering consultancy Ricardo UK, and is co-funded by the Technology Strategy Board.

Insurance auto or 5 good reasons to buy a more expensive policy

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Mini in short film for the Olympic Games in London

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In the continued buildup for the Olympics, Mini, in homage to the original 1969 film The Italian Job,made a London-themed short film called The Britain Job to highlight both the company's partnership with the Team Great Britain and ParalympicsGB.

Expansion of Audi's - inevitably

BERLIN (Bloomberg) -- Even as rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW spent more than a decade expanding production overseas, Audi has clung steadfastly to its flagship factories in Germany.

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG packs 550 hp

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The people hauler will pack a biturbo 5.5-liter V8 rated at 550 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque. Code-named M157, it's capable of propelling the ute to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds en route to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. The engine works with a seven-speed automatic transmission and permanent 4Matic all-wheel drive.

Akio Toyoda takes 2013 NASCAR Toyota Camry for a drive

Last week we showed you the 2013 Toyota Camry NASCAR Sprint Cup car, complete with orange and red TRD livery. Sources said that Joe Gibbs Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing and JTG-Daugherty Racing will remain with the Japanese automaker for at least two more years.

Today we have an HD video of Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda hot-footing the car around Daytona Speedway with Kyle Busch in February.

Toyoda is a bit shorter than Busch and looks small in the big V8-powered car. But he is an accomplished racer and seems to have no trouble hustling the car around the 2.5-mile oval.

Toyoda is famous for taking his own creations out on the track. He did the same for the Toyota 86 and owns a matte-black Lexus LFA.

We love when Toyoda does stuff like this; it proves he's an enthusiast.

Source:
autoweek.com