Sustainability. This was the word that I was hearing repeated over and over at this years NAIAS (North American International Auto Show) in Detroit, Michigan. The official definition of sustainability is the capacity to endure. It’s used to describe how biological systems remain productive over time. In this context, it was used to describe the future of the automobile industry. That’s to not only remain competitive, but looking to the future of diminishing energy sources and the search for more sustainable “green” sources of energy.
Ford Shines at NAIAS with a Focus on Sustainability
Sustainability. This was the word echoing through the halls of this year’s North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan. Officially, sustainability is defined as the capacity to endure. It’s also describing how biological systems remain productive over time. At NAIAS, it was the future of the automobile industry that was under the spotlight—how it can remain competitive while addressing diminishing energy sources and the quest for more sustainable, “green” energy solutions.
When it came to a focus on future sustainability and green living, Ford stood out from the crowd, especially among American automakers. This sentiment was shared by many, including the green living expert himself, Seth Leitman of GreenLivingGuy.com.
“Ford Motor Co has done a lot of work to be blogger inclusive in their efforts to communicate their message worldwide. That was a great thing since social media is exploding worldwide. They also are offering the EcoBoost, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and pure electric cars for the public,” said Leitman.
However, the EcoBoost is an option rather than a standard. So they are only offering one EV rather than offering all models as electric. From my interview with Bill Ford at the auto show, it seemed that once demand picks up, they will expand their electric drive portfolio of cars. The one thing that was overlooked at the event which Ford should be commended on was that since 2003 they saved over 22 trillion BTU in manufacturing energy consumption. That efficiency has led to at least tens of millions of dollars in energy costs worldwide.
Related Highlights
Ford, REPREVE to Recycle 2 Million Plastic Bottles into New Vehicles Ford announced that through the use of REPREVE. For the company plans to divert about 2 million post-consumer plastic bottles from landfills for use in new vehicles. That’s also beginning with the 2012 Focus Electric. This vehicle will be the first to feature REPREVE’s seat fabric made from a hybrid blend of recycled plastic.
Ford Engineers Living Electric
Ford Engineers Showcase “Living Electric” at 2011 Detroit Auto Show The “Living Electric” display at the 2011 NAIAS was a platform for Ford engineers to delve deeper into the all-new Focus Electric. Shawn Lightner, Ford global electrified products program manager, stated, “We thought this would be a perfect opportunity to discover even more about how electric cars rock!”
Lexus LF-LC 2+2 Hybrid Sport Coupe Concept Receives 2012 EyesOn Design Award The NAIAS 2012 EyesOn Design Awards honored the most significant automotive designs on display, as determined by North American and global leaders of design from automotive manufacturers, along with academic chairs of transportation design programs and design leaders from other fields.
Stay tuned to Green Living Guy for more updates on sustainable living, groundbreaking green technologies, and eco-friendly innovations. Together, we can drive towards a greener, more sustainable future. For more insights and updates, visit Green Living Guy. Let’s make the world a better place, one eco-friendly choice at a time!
