Faurecia celebrates its contributions to the Ford Fusion, named 2013 Green Car of the Year

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Faurecia, the world's sixth-largest automotive supplier, today celebrated the announcement by Green Car Journal that the Ford Fusion has been named its 2013 Green Car of the Year.  With Ford, Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies co-developed the exhaust heat recovery manifold (EHRM), a first-of-its-kind technology for vehicle exhaust heat recovery that was introduced to the industry on the 2013 Fusion.

The EHRM represents a new approach to recovering exhaust heat to warm the vehicle cabin. The technology integrates the heat recovery function into the manifold, rather than under the car, by making the engine cooling fluid flow around the manifold via a dedicated rail. As a result, heat is recovered when thermal energy is at its maximum.

"The manifold was chosen as the location for the EHRM to simplify the ancillary hardware required to direct the coolant into the traditional heating system and to lower backpressure when compared to an underbody heat recovery unit," said Michael Clegg, chief technical officer for Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies North America. "In concert with Ford and Faurecia experts, a complete system was developed to meet both emissions regulations and enhance fuel economy."

In gas-electric hybrid vehicles like the 2013 Ford Fusion, the thermal engine is used in certain phases only to warm the cabin. The EHRM enables the gasoline engine to shut down 2-3 minutes sooner in cold weather conditions, improving the fuel consumption. That equals 2-3 minutes of electric only driving not using gasoline. The EHRM is assembled using Faurecia's brazing technology, which enables thinner materials to be used, while providing higher quality and better durability. Faurecia also makes the complete exhaust system for the Ford Fusion.

"We congratulate Ford on the success of the Fusion and its much-deserved recognition as Green Car of the Year," said Faurecia North America President Mike Heneka. "Faurecia's innovation strategy focuses on offering its customers and consumers technologies that lighten vehicle weight, improve fuel economy, reduce emissions and create a vehicle environment that is comfortable and attractive. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute our capabilities and commitment to Ford and its award-winning Fusion."

The announcement was a culminating highlight of press days at the LA Auto Show. For the past 20 years, Green Car Journal has chosen its Green Car of the Year from among the auto industry's most environmentally innovative and efficient production vehicles. The Ford Fusion was one of five finalists, which also included two other vehicles that feature Faurecia technology, the Ford C-MAX and the Dodge Dart Aero. For more information on Faurecia at the LA Auto Show, visit www.faurecialaautoshow.com.

About Faurecia

Faurecia is the world's sixth largest automotive supplier with four key Business Groups: Automotive Seating, Emissions Control Technologies, Interior Systems and Automotive Exteriors. In 2011, the Group posted total sales of $22.5 billion. The company is headquartered in Nanterre, France, with its North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich. It employs 84,000 people in 36 countries at 270 sites and 40 R&D centers. Faurecia is listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris stock exchange and trades in the U.S. over-the-counter (OTC) market. For more information, visit: www.faurecia.com

About Faurecia North America
Faurecia North America had sales of $4.8 billion in 2011. The Group has 37 production sites in the United States, Canada and Mexico and employs more than 17,000 people in the region. It has five technical and development centers, situated in Auburn Hills (2), Holland and Troy, Mich., and in Columbus, Ind., as well as customer centers in Southfield, Mich. and Toledo, Ohio, and a services center in Auburn Hills.

For the latest updates on Faurecia activities throughout North America, connect with the company on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/faureciaNA), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/faurecia_NA) and Pinterest (http://www.Pinterest.com/FaureciaNA).

SOURCE Faurecia