The Chinese automotive market is now the biggest in the world – and Ford has highlighted its commitment to the country by announcing it will upgrade its entire powertrain portfolio there.
It will bring 20 advanced engines and transmissions to support its plans to introduce 15 new vehicles inChinaby 2015. The powertrains will make the most of technologies including twin independent variable camshaft timing, six-speed transmissions, turbocharging and direct injection; and are set to offer a 20 per cent improvement in fuel economy while also reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. In addition, Ford will introduce its 1.0litre EcoBoost engine into the market.
According to Kumar Galhotra, the vice president of product development at Ford Asia Pacific andAfrica, the company is committed to being a fuel economy leader in every segment it competes in. It believes that its advanced powertrain technologies are the core part of reaching its near-term goals in China and will play a key role in the 15 new vehicles that will be introduced by 2015, as announced at the Shanghai Auto Show.
Currently, Ford has more than 125 patents for its high performance and fuel saving EcoBoost technology in the United States with massive consumer benefits. For example, the optimised engine efficiency can deliver up to a 20 per cent improvement in fuel economy; while it also offers superior driving performance thanks to strong low-end torque; and the advantages of small displacement thanks to the performance of a large engine with the weight and fuel economy of a much smaller unit.
