European Commissioner for Climate Action Visits Ford Production Plant and Drives Current and Future Green Cars

• European Commissioner for Climate Action, Connie Hedegaard, today visited Ford of Europe’s Cologne facilities in Germany where the Fiesta ECOnetic Technology model delivering  87g/km CO₂ emissions will be produced
• Hedegaard drives three green Focus models: best-in-class 1.6-litre TDCi Focus ECOnetic Technology,  Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost, and Focus Electric, Ford’s first all-electric passenger car
• Visit underlines Ford strategic commitment to play its part in stabilising CO₂ emissions at 450 ppm to support the target of limiting global warming to 2 degrees, the level generally accepted to avoid the most serious effects

COLOGNE, Germany, March 8, 2012 – The European Commissioner for Climate Action, Connie Hedegaard today visited Ford of Europe’s manufacturing facilities in Cologne as the company shared its progress in significantly reducing fleet CO₂ emissions.

Hedegaard toured the Cologne-Niehl Fiesta plant, where the forthcoming Fiesta ECOnetic Technology model will be produced in the coming months; the Commissioner also drove three green Focus models: best-in-class 1.6-litre TDCi ECOnetic Technology and 1.0-litre EcoBoost versions; and Focus Electric, Ford’s first all-electric passenger car.

“We are delighted the Commissioner has had the opportunity to drive these vehicles and experience first-hand that low or zero CO₂ emission Ford cars do not compromise driver enjoyment,” said Barb Samardzich, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe.

“At Ford we’re ensuring the core DNA that makes our vehicles so popular remains intact,” she added, “even as we strive to go further in our actions on CO₂.”
  
Ford ECOnetic Technology features a full range of low-CO₂ technologies including Auto-Start-Stop, Smart Regenerative Charging, Active Grille Shutter and Eco Mode. It also incorporates pioneering technology solutions, including a lean NOx adsorbing trap and a water-cooled charge air cooler, which are keys to delivering class-leading emissions.

By the end of 2012, half of all Ford cars, more than 30 models, will carry the ECOnetic Technology badge which indicates they are leaders, or among the very best, in terms of CO₂ emissions and fuel efficiency; this will be extended to more than two-thirds of models in 2013.

“We’re delighted the European Commissioner for Climate Action is taking such an active interest in the work we’re doing in Europe,” said Dr Wolfgang Schneider, vice president legal, governmental and environmental affairs, Ford of Europe.

“Our aggressive CO₂ glidepath is a result of Ford’s commitment to doing our share to stabilise atmospheric CO₂ at 450 ppm in full support of the overall two degrees climate target, which is also a key element of the EU climate policy.”

The new Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost plays a key role in the fleet CO₂ reduction Ford representatives discussed with the Commissioner. It uses a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine to offer class-leading CO₂ levels coupled with performance normally associated with larger engines.

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 164,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com

Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 51 individual markets and employs approximately 66,000 employees. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford of Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 22 manufacturing facilities, including joint ventures. The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.