Photo: Ford
When developing an all-new vehicle, automakers have to take a lot of legislation and specific procedures into consideration. Even validation and certification can pose problems, as highlighted by a handful of employees working for the Ford Motor Company.
Back in September 2018, employees raised a concern through the Speak Up reporting channel regarding “the analytical modeling that is part of our U.S. fuel economy and emissions compliance process.” More to the point, they’re concerned about the gas mileage and emissions testing of the 2019 Ford Ranger.
Ford took this matter seriously, starting with the hiring of “an outside firm to conduct an investigation into the vehicle road load specifications used in our testing and applications.” In other words, they’re doing the maths.
Road load is defined as “the vehicle-specific resistance level used in vehicle dynamometer testing.” Physical track tests are also used in the process, referred to as coastdown testing.
“We are hiring an independent lab to conduct further coastdown testing as part of our investigation,” added Ford. The Blue Oval further announced that it’s evaluating potential changes to the road-load modeling process. Areas of interest include governance, technical, and engineering.
The Ford Motor Company says the concerns of its employees and subsequent investigation “do not involve the use of defeat devices.” Remember the Dieselgate scandal? Yeah, everyone knows what Volkswagen did to their TDI turbo diesels a few years ago.
Ford claims “we’re assessing additional vehicles as well,” but doesn’t specify who the culprits are. If we take the 2019 Ranger for reference, the automaker might be evaluating all-new vehicles for the 2019 and 2020 model years, including the CD6-based Explorer and Lincoln Aviator.
On an ending note, Ford promises “to be transparent with customers, employees, dealers, shareholders, and other stakeholders.” Give the man who wrote their press release a medal for starting with the customers, although the reality is that shareholders are of bigger interest to FoMoCo.
Brought back to the U.S. lineup for 2019, the Ranger comes with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost and ten-speed automatic transmission that Ford shares with General Motors. Pricing for the mid-size pickup starts at $24,300 plus destination.
Ford took this matter seriously, starting with the hiring of “an outside firm to conduct an investigation into the vehicle road load specifications used in our testing and applications.” In other words, they’re doing the maths.
Road load is defined as “the vehicle-specific resistance level used in vehicle dynamometer testing.” Physical track tests are also used in the process, referred to as coastdown testing.
“We are hiring an independent lab to conduct further coastdown testing as part of our investigation,” added Ford. The Blue Oval further announced that it’s evaluating potential changes to the road-load modeling process. Areas of interest include governance, technical, and engineering.
The Ford Motor Company says the concerns of its employees and subsequent investigation “do not involve the use of defeat devices.” Remember the Dieselgate scandal? Yeah, everyone knows what Volkswagen did to their TDI turbo diesels a few years ago.
Ford claims “we’re assessing additional vehicles as well,” but doesn’t specify who the culprits are. If we take the 2019 Ranger for reference, the automaker might be evaluating all-new vehicles for the 2019 and 2020 model years, including the CD6-based Explorer and Lincoln Aviator.
On an ending note, Ford promises “to be transparent with customers, employees, dealers, shareholders, and other stakeholders.” Give the man who wrote their press release a medal for starting with the customers, although the reality is that shareholders are of bigger interest to FoMoCo.
Brought back to the U.S. lineup for 2019, the Ranger comes with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost and ten-speed automatic transmission that Ford shares with General Motors. Pricing for the mid-size pickup starts at $24,300 plus destination.
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