Ford Exec VP Mark Fields talks future products – and Twitters
Consumer Reports News: August 31, 2009 05:24 PM
Twitter is apparently taking over the world – even in Detroit's executive suites.
We had a chance to meet with Mark Fields, Ford's vice president of North American operations Thursday night in New York at a Tweet-up event to ask some questions about upcoming products.
We found several tidbits enlightening:
Fields is big on the electrification of cars, citing great potential. He noted that electric power companies are eager to supply power for electric cars, but predictably there is not such support from the traditional fuel-industry for producing ethanol or hydrogen for fuel-cells and hydrogen cars. Clearly, transportation development challenges go beyond just building cars.
In talking about today's hybrids, Fields implied the company isn't making money on the hybrids it sells today, and it is looking at ways to "enhance revenue" from them. That may include selling hybrids through more luxurious brands.
Diesels are also on Ford's agenda, though don't expect an increase in powertrain options. Fields clarified an announcement made last year regarding developing a smaller diesel engine for the F-150 pickup, saying that the program had been delayed, not cancelled. He added the company isn't planning to sell small diesel engines for passenger cars here. As with fuel cells, he cited lack of government support for diesels, as well as tighter emissions standards here than in Europe where diesels are popular. Meanwhile, Ford has announced an all-new 6.7-liter turbodiesel for the 2011 Super Duty pickup trucks.
When the party was scheduled to end, Fields politely excused himself, saying he had to go Twitter. If you're interested in following him, he's @Ford.
