Hinrichs: Quality is 'of the highest priority' at Ford
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Hinrichs: Quality is 'of the highest priority' at Ford
Good article . . .
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...#axzz2Txkd0A00
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...#axzz2Txkd0A00
Q: When you talk about the freshening, a lot of us still think of it as a four-year cycle or, for some vehicles, five. Do you see that shrinking?
A: Yeah, we do. It really comes down to: What are the critical elements to the consumers? You can't wait five years to introduce new technology to a vehicle. There need to be opportunities within that time frame to introduce the latest technologies for safety or telematics or infotainment or whatever. In addition to that, it's a very competitive market, and you need to keep the styling fresh, both interior and exterior.
It won't be a new platform every three years or five years, of course, but major changes to the vehicle to keep them fresh in the eyes of the consumer.
A: Yeah, we do. It really comes down to: What are the critical elements to the consumers? You can't wait five years to introduce new technology to a vehicle. There need to be opportunities within that time frame to introduce the latest technologies for safety or telematics or infotainment or whatever. In addition to that, it's a very competitive market, and you need to keep the styling fresh, both interior and exterior.
It won't be a new platform every three years or five years, of course, but major changes to the vehicle to keep them fresh in the eyes of the consumer.
Q: Can you give us an update on the issues you have had in Hermosillo, Mexico, with the Lincoln MKZ launch?
A: I think you have to first look at what the North American team has taken on in the last couple years. We launched new global platforms for not just new products but all new global platforms on Focus, Escape and Fusion -- all within a two-year time period. In a couple of those cases, we basically redid the whole plant at the same time. We learned a lot from that.
We are now incorporating a number of changes into our product development process and our new model launch process going forward based on what we've experienced and learned over the last couple years.
A: I think you have to first look at what the North American team has taken on in the last couple years. We launched new global platforms for not just new products but all new global platforms on Focus, Escape and Fusion -- all within a two-year time period. In a couple of those cases, we basically redid the whole plant at the same time. We learned a lot from that.
We are now incorporating a number of changes into our product development process and our new model launch process going forward based on what we've experienced and learned over the last couple years.
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Serbian Steamer
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Can you get to the federally mandated 54.5 mpg without
diesels?There are a number of contributors to getting to those kinds of numbers. I think the biggest contributor is the electrification of the fleet. The consumers play a big role in this. The big question mark in the industry is really around what will be the acceptance level and capabilities of the electrified vehicles as we migrate up the fuel economy range. We have the diesels for all of our global programs. We have some very strong diesels in Europe, whether it's a Focus or a Fiesta or a Fusion. We just have not seen the [U.S.] market acceptance in passenger cars and small SUVs. The EcoBoost, we believe, is a far better business case for the consumer. It's lower cost than a diesel and still gives you great driving dynamics.
diesels?There are a number of contributors to getting to those kinds of numbers. I think the biggest contributor is the electrification of the fleet. The consumers play a big role in this. The big question mark in the industry is really around what will be the acceptance level and capabilities of the electrified vehicles as we migrate up the fuel economy range. We have the diesels for all of our global programs. We have some very strong diesels in Europe, whether it's a Focus or a Fiesta or a Fusion. We just have not seen the [U.S.] market acceptance in passenger cars and small SUVs. The EcoBoost, we believe, is a far better business case for the consumer. It's lower cost than a diesel and still gives you great driving dynamics.
I agree with him that diesels are expensive, but the main reason for what is because they're usually offered only on a well equiped models. Base Focus sedan starts at $16,200, so even if diesel is a let say $3,000 option - Ford still has a potential to have a 45 mpg car for under $20,000.
I don't agree that smaller petrol turbo engines, such as EcoBoosts, are a better answer than diesel. Yeah, in a perfect driving condition they might be economical ... My Golf TDI diesel usually averaged 45 mpg city and I never got less than 35 mpg hwy - and we're talking about a situation when I was driving 180 km/h (112 mph) at 3,500 RPM, with 5 people in the car, trunk full of stuff and a/c on. Under those same conditions Focus 1.0L EcoBoost with the similar power would be happy to get maybe half of that mpg.
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Well if you want the power from these small turbo engines then you have to whined them out. Not good for efficiency. That's why diesels make so much sense. You get the off the line power where most people need it. Not up at 4500rpm.
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