Assignment:
How do you take 800 pounds off a 5.500-pound pickup? Ford Motor is attempting to do exactly that in an effort to improve its vehicles' fuel efficiency The White House is in the process of implementing new gas fuel requirements for passenger cars and trucks to nearly double their mileage standards-to 54 5 mpg by the year 2025 Many auto companies are therefore taking the initiative to begin manufacturing products with improved fuel efficiency now years before compliance is required Ford and other companies are looking for innovative ways to increase the miles per gallon efficiency of their automobiles including introducing different materials into their supply chains As a result Ford is investigating increasing the usage of aluminum in its vehicles instead of steel to reduce weight Last year the company also introduced a more fuel-efficient V-6 engine into production with their F-150s as an alternative to the V-8
engine
Although many critics of the impending fuel efficiency standards point to increased costs and reduced safety as a result of using aluminum. U S automakers appear to be embracing this opportunity to improve the quality of their vehicles and develop their brands as fuel-efficient
Further introducing more rigorous fuel standards is expected to spur job grov4h in addition to increasing sales Consumers still list fuel efficiency as a main concern when purchasing a vehicle and American companies do not v.ant to be left behind as foreign vehicles become largely more
fuel efficient 6
I Discussion Questions
1. Why is Ford trying to increase the sustainability of its cars/
2. Why is Ford looking toward aluminum as an alternative material for its vehicles?
3. Mat are some of the disadvantages of using aluminum materials in cars/