Faurecia celebrates its contributions to the Ford Fusion, named
2013 Green Car of the Year
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Faurecia, the
world's sixth-largest automotive supplier, today celebrated the
announcement by Green Car Journal that the Ford Fusion has
been named its 2013 Green Car of the Year. With Ford,
Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies co-developed the exhaust
heat recovery manifold (EHRM), a first-of-its-kind technology for
vehicle exhaust heat recovery that was introduced to the industry
on the 2013 Fusion.
The EHRM represents a new approach to recovering exhaust heat to
warm the vehicle cabin. The technology integrates the heat recovery
function into the manifold, rather than under the car, by making
the engine cooling fluid flow around the manifold via a dedicated
rail. As a result, heat is recovered when thermal energy is at its
maximum.
"The manifold was chosen as the location for the EHRM to
simplify the ancillary hardware required to direct the coolant into
the traditional heating system and to lower backpressure when
compared to an underbody heat recovery unit," said Michael Clegg, chief technical officer for
Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies North America. "In concert
with Ford and Faurecia experts, a complete system was developed to
meet both emissions regulations and enhance fuel economy."
In gas-electric hybrid vehicles like the 2013 Ford Fusion, the
thermal engine is used in certain phases only to warm the cabin.
The EHRM enables the gasoline engine to shut down 2-3 minutes
sooner in cold weather conditions, improving the fuel consumption.
That equals 2-3 minutes of electric only driving not using
gasoline. The EHRM is assembled using Faurecia's brazing
technology, which enables thinner materials to be used, while
providing higher quality and better durability. Faurecia also makes
the complete exhaust system for the Ford Fusion.
"We congratulate Ford on the success of the Fusion and its
much-deserved recognition as Green Car of the Year," said Faurecia
North America President Mike Heneka.
"Faurecia's innovation strategy focuses on offering its customers
and consumers technologies that lighten vehicle weight, improve
fuel economy, reduce emissions and create a vehicle environment
that is comfortable and attractive. We are grateful to have had the
opportunity to contribute our capabilities and commitment to Ford
and its award-winning Fusion."
The announcement was a culminating highlight of press days at
the LA Auto Show. For the past 20 years, Green Car Journal
has chosen its Green Car of the Year from among the auto industry's
most environmentally innovative and efficient production vehicles.
The Ford Fusion was one of five finalists, which also included two
other vehicles that feature Faurecia technology, the Ford C-MAX and
the Dodge Dart Aero. For more information on Faurecia at the LA
Auto Show, visit www.faurecialaautoshow.com.
About Faurecia
Faurecia is the world's sixth largest automotive supplier with
four key Business Groups: Automotive Seating, Emissions Control
Technologies, Interior Systems and Automotive Exteriors. In 2011,
the Group posted total sales of $22.5
billion. The company is headquartered in Nanterre,
France, with its North American
headquarters in Auburn Hills,
Mich. It employs 84,000 people in 36 countries at 270 sites
and 40 R&D centers. Faurecia is listed on the NYSE Euronext
Paris stock exchange and trades in the U.S. over-the-counter (OTC)
market. For more information, visit: www.faurecia.com
About Faurecia North America
Faurecia North America
had sales of $4.8 billion in 2011. The Group has 37
production sites in the United
States, Canada and Mexico and employs more than
17,000 people in the region. It has five technical and development
centers, situated in Auburn
Hills (2), Holland and Troy, Mich., and
in Columbus, Ind., as well as customer centers
in Southfield, Mich. and Toledo, Ohio, and a services center in Auburn
Hills.
For the latest updates on Faurecia activities
throughout North America, connect with the company on Facebook
(http://www.facebook.com/faureciaNA), Twitter
(http://www.twitter.com/faurecia_NA) and Pinterest
(http://www.Pinterest.com/FaureciaNA).
SOURCE Faurecia