Ford to Double FlexFuel Vehicle Production by Late 2010

During the 2010 BIO International Convention held in Chicago today, Ford announced it wants to deliver on its 2006 pledge to double the number of 2010 model year flexible-fuel vehicles produced in the US. Ford produced nearly 185,000 2006 model year flexible-fuel vehicles.

Flexible-fuel vehicles are capable of running on E-85 (a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline), gasoline or any mixture of the two fuels.

“Flexible-fuel vehicles are a great alternative for our customers because they provide owners with the option to choose between using E-85 and gasoline when filling up a car,” said Sue Cischke, Ford’s group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering.  “Ethanol and other biofuels also help reduce the county’s dependence on imported oil.” 

Ford therefore announced it aims to expand flexible-fuel vehicle output to 50 percent of total 2012 model year vehicle production.

Ford currently offers 11 flexible-fuel vehicles in the U.S. including the Ford Escape, Fusion, F-150, Crown Victoria, Expedition and E-Series; the Lincoln Navigator and Town Car; and the Mercury Milan, Grand Marquis and Mariner.

Ford will continue to build products capable of running on renewable fuels such as bio-diesel and E-85 ethanol.  This includes the new 2011 Super Duty, which is offered with two bio-fuel options, a diesel engine that operates on B-20 bio-diesel or a conventional engine that operates on E-85.

“Flexible-fuel vehicles are one of the many environmental technologies Ford is providing customers,” said Cischke.  “In addition to biofuels, we also are working on a range of other advanced fuel efficient technologies, including EcoBoost engines, six speed transmissions, clean diesel and electrified vehicles.”