In the Global Product Development System, environmental objectives – including targets for fuel economy, vehicle emissions, use of recycled materials and recyclability – are defined at the outset of the design process for every new Ford vehicle. We track our progress toward those targets throughout the product development process. The targets, broken down from a vehicle level to a supplier or component level, enter into each contractual agreement signed between Ford and its suppliers.
To support this effort, Ford's Design for Environment (DfE) is one tool that bridges the gap between product development and environmental management. DfE uses simplified life cycle assessments and costings, substance restrictions, checklists and other tools to identify and reduce significant impacts.
Ford of Europe's Product Sustainability Index is broadening the DfE process to include further dimensions of sustainability to improve a vehicle's environmental, social and economic performance.
In North America, the product development function has sustainability "pillars" addressing key environmental issues as part of its strategy to drive innovation.
