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Ford has a long-standing purpose that transcends simply building vehicles. The company strives to create a positive impact, improving the lives of its employees, the communities it serves, and the environment.
This commitment is reflected in their goal of achieving carbon neutrality across their vehicles, operations, and supply chain by 2050. It’s an ambitious target, but one that aligns with Ford’s dedication to continuous progress.
Electrification: Leading the Charge
The automotive industry is undergoing a rapid transformation, and Ford is at the forefront of this shift towards electric vehicles (EVs). They offer a diverse range of gas, hybrid, and electric vehicles to cater to various needs, providing customers with options on their path to a more sustainable future.
Ford’s leadership in the EV sector is particularly evident in the truck category. They hold the title of leader in the hybrid pickup truck market and have outsold all competitors combined in the electric truck segment. These electric pickups from Ford are projected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions over their lifespan, contributing to a cleaner environment.
Commitment Beyond the Vehicle: Building a Robust Charging Network
For a smooth transition to EVs, convenient and reliable charging infrastructure is crucial. Recognizing this, Ford has been actively expanding the Blue Oval Charge Network, which now boasts over 128,000 charging stations across North America.
Furthermore, Ford customers can now access an additional 15,000+ Tesla Superchargers across North America with a complimentary adapter, significantly broadening the public charging network options.
The Enduring Legacy of Innovation: The Ford F-Series
For an incredible 47 years, the Ford F-Series has reigned supreme as America’s best-selling pickup truck. Ford has consistently invested billions in making the F-Series more sustainable while simultaneously enhancing its power and performance, proving that these goals can be achieved without compromise, as Bill Ford and Jim Farley themselves have said: “Our industry is experiencing change at a remarkable rate and magnitude, and Ford is seizing this opportunity to lead and help build a better world.”
A Deeper Look at America’s Favorite Truck
The F-Series incorporates a surprising array of recycled materials, including seat fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles, sound deadening from denim scraps, underbody covers from used tires, and wiring harnesses from rice husks.
Ford’s innovative 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine leverages turbocharging, direct injection, and a streamlined design to deliver impressive performance while maintaining fuel efficiency. This technology offers the power of a larger engine without sacrificing fuel economy.
The body of the F-Series underwent a significant transformation from steel to military-grade aluminum. This shift resulted in a lighter truck, translating into improved fuel efficiency and decreased emissions. Additionally, it allowed for increased payload and towing capacity.
The introduction of the Ford PowerBoost full-hybrid powertrain further elevates fuel efficiency and minimizes tailpipe emissions compared to traditional gasoline-powered engines.
The F-150 Lightning marks Ford’s entry into the electric truck market, offering customers the capability and features synonymous with the F-Series, but with the environmental benefits of an electric vehicle.
Sustainability Beyond the Vehicle: Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Ford understands the importance of not only focusing on the product itself but also on the processes involved in its creation. They have continuously strived to improve environmental quality by conserving water, minimizing waste, and transitioning towards carbon-free electricity in their manufacturing facilities, as Bill Ford and Jim Farley again point out: “As always for Ford, we are focused on both what we build and how we build. We’ve continued to push ourselves on environmental quality, which includes conserving water, reducing waste and transitioning our company to carbon-free electricity. It’s what our customers and our neighbors expect from Ford.“
Responsible Sourcing: A Priority
Modern vehicles are intricate machines, with components and materials sourced from a global network of suppliers. Ford prioritizes the sustainable extraction of these materials and the fair treatment of workers throughout the supply chain.
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For instance, batteries are a critical element in EVs, and Ford takes a leading role in supply chain mapping and auditing. They have mapped not only the direct battery suppliers but also suppliers further down the chain, ensuring responsible sourcing practices throughout the process. These efforts have been recognized by Lead the Charge, an advocacy group that evaluates companies based on the sustainability and fairness of their EV supply chains. Ford has been ranked #1 in the automotive industry by this organization.