At Ford of Europe, we continue to make great progress toward our sustainability commitments – including those relating to both our vehicles and our manufacturing locations. We also continue to actively engage with our communities.

While the European financial climate remains extremely difficult, it is important that we continue to move forward with our holistic approach to sustainability. We understand that providing a strong lineup of sustainable vehicles, continuously improving our manufacturing processes and further strengthening relationships with our employees and communities is the right thing to do. Addressing this broad array of sustainability issues is the basis for future business success.

Earlier this year, we launched our most fuel-efficient gasoline-engine car to date – the Ford Focus with the 1.0L EcoBoost® engine – plus our most fuel-efficient car ever, the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic Technology with a 1.6L Duratorq TDCi diesel. Both cars herald significant improvements in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission levels, establishing a standard for future models.

With our range of ECOnetic Technology models – all of which are leaders or among the very best in their class in terms of fuel economy – we are providing our customers with an increasing number of fuel-efficient diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles. By 2013, two-thirds of our new cars in Europe will wear the ECOnetic Technology badge. Among them will be the electrified vehicles we will introduce from 2012 onward, including the Focus Electric launching later this year.

In early 2012, we created new sustainable manufacturing strategies for water use, waste and emissions in Ford of Europe. These strategies include ambitious targets such as reducing manufacturing water use by 30 percent and decreasing manufacturing waste to landfill by 70 percent on a per vehicle basis during the next five years.

In addition, we remain actively involved in the communities around all of our Ford sites in Europe. In so doing, we contribute to positive social and economic developments, which benefits both our employees and other community members.

Sustainability is a crucial part of our business. Our exciting selection of technologically advanced, fuel-efficient vehicles, together with the sustainability measures we are implementing in our facilities, give us what I believe is a competitive advantage and will help to ensure our long-term business success in Europe.

Stephen Odell
Chairman and CEO
Ford of Europe