Teaching Green: Ford Empowers Eco-Drivers to Maximize Their Own Fuel Efficiency

DEARBORN, Mich., March 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

• Ford's eco-friendly driving technologies coach drivers to more fuel-efficient driving habits, using real-time feedback and rewards

• Since 2008, Ford has pioneered an array of green driving technologies designed to empower consumers to conserve fuel and minimize their impact on the environment

• Eco-friendly driving tools are available across several of Ford's gas-powered, hybrid-electric and all-electric vehicles and include EcoMode, MyFord Touch™ with EcoRoute, SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide and MyFord Mobile

With gas prices on the rise, driving technologies available inside Ford vehicles are coaching consumers to more fuel-efficient miles every time they get behind the wheel. These technologies, which include EcoMode and SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide, are designed to be eco-friendly and fun to use, all while helping drivers save money.

"Fuel economy and technology are consumers' biggest priorities – and we have made them Ford's as well," said Mark Fields, Ford president, The Americas. "Our product portfolio reflects the investment Ford has made to transform our lineup in the past several years so our customers can be greener – and keep even more green in their wallets – than when fuel prices reached $4 per gallon in 2008."

Ford's suite of green driving technologies enable consumers to modify their driving habits through coaching methods and rewards that encourage eco-friendly driving behaviors. By making simple adjustments in everyday driving habits – from rolling up windows when traveling more than 50 mph to staying on top of vehicle maintenance – consumers can increase their fuel efficiency while decreasing their impact on the environment and the cost of vehicle ownership. Additionally, safety features like Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems further enhance fuel savings, reducing the average amount of fuel use 3 to 4 percent.

Ford's growing lineup of green driving technologies and driving tips include:

EcoMode

EcoMode coaches consumers in the art of eco-driving using real-time feedback, while scoring and rewards are displayed on the instrument cluster. The software application generates a personalized driver operation scorecard by rating driver behavior that impacts fuel efficiency. Scores are displayed using an easy-to-follow five-leaf icon, with two leaves set as the default and five leaves being the maximum achievable score. Throughout a drive, the scoring system generates hints on how to gain more leaves by implementing eco-driving methods. It also allows drivers to review their generated score against the software's optimized eco-driving patterns. Testing has shown a 24 percent fuel economy increase, on average.

MyFord Touch with EcoRoute

MyFord Touch™ provides drivers with real-time feedback on vehicle fuel efficiency and performance, helping coach drivers to maximize their miles per gallon. With the addition of EcoRoute, a map-based navigation system that instantly calculates the most fuel-efficient driving route, consumers are further empowered to control their fuel efficiency, with testing demonstrating fuel economy gains of up to 15 percent.

SmartGauge with EcoGuide

SmartGauge with EcoGuide is a unique instrument cluster specifically designed for hybrid vehicle owners. The technology creates a more connected driving experience, by coaching drivers to further maximize the fuel efficiency of their hybrid vehicle through real-time feedback and rewards. SmartGauge with EcoGuide features full-color LCD screens that can be configured to show different levels of information, including fuel and battery power levels, average and instant miles per gallon, and growing leaves and vines that track and reward the driver's efficiency – more leaves and vines denote better driving habits.

MyFord Mobile

While electric cars are eco-friendly in their own right, the all-new MyFord Mobile app, exclusively for Focus Electric, helps extend eco-friendly driving behaviors by allowing consumers to make smart trip planning decisions that will extend the range of their vehicle, while also delivering driving behavior ratings ranging from Zen to zippy. Similar to SmartGauge with EcoGuide, Focus Electric also comes equipped with an instrument cluster display that uses blue butterflies to represent the surplus range beyond a charge point destination – the more butterflies there are, the greater the range and the better the driving habits.

The power of choice

Electrification is an important piece of Ford's overall product sustainability strategy. Ford's aggressive strategy includes five new electrified vehicles in North America by 2012 and Europe by 2013. Ford launched the Transit Connect Electric small commercial van in 2010 and in addition to Focus Electric in late 2011, will introduce C-MAX Hybrid, a second next-generation lithium-ion battery hybrid and the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid in 2012.

Best-in-class fuel economy

Ford Motor Company offers at least 12 vehicles that lead their sales segments in fuel economy – including four vehicles with EPA-certified 40 mpg or higher fuel economy ratings – a claim no other full-line automaker can match.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), 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's products, please visit www.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company