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CES 2002 News: EV Trucks Wars Ratchet Up

Clean Fleet Report

That followed a day behind Ford’s announcement that it was roughly doubling (to 150,000/year) the planned production of the upcoming F-150 Lightning EV pickup on the day it opened up the order channel so the roughly 200,000 hand-raisers could convert their interest into configured orders for delivery later this year.

2002 105
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Ford begins production of Focus in Russia

Green Car Congress

Ford has begun production of the Focus at its Vsevolozhsk Plant near St. The new Ford Focus will be assembled in Russia in all three body styles: four-door, five-door and wagon. The five-door door version is now in production; the four-door Focus and the wagon will go into production in September and January 2012, respectively.

Russia 186
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Ford now holds 461 patents on hybrid technology, up from 10 in 2000

Green Car Congress

Ford Motor Company now holds 461 patents on its hybrid technology, up from 10 in 2000. In the last three years, the number of inventions submitted to Ford’s legal team to be considered for patents has increased more than 25%. Still, by 2002 Ford only had approximately 30 hybrid patents. —Ming Kuang.

2000 210
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Ford and Sollers form new JV in Russia; letter of intent for $1.4B in long term financing

Green Car Congress

Ford Motor Company and Sollers OJSC have signed agreements to establish a 50-50-owned joint venture in Russia. The new business, named Ford Sollers, is scheduled to start operations later this year. Russia is set to become Europe's largest market for new vehicles by mid-decade and provides the Ford brand a huge growth opportunity.

Russia 199
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Ford investigating use of MuCell microcellular foam injection molding to reduce vehicle component weight

Green Car Congress

Ford researchers have been investigating the use of the MuCell microcellular foam injection molding process to reduce component weight; weight reduction is a key Ford strategy to help lower fuel consumption. Ford says that it is continuing to research potential uses of MuCell technology for production of interior components.

Ford 210
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Ford and Sollers sign MoU to establish a JV in Russia

Green Car Congress

Ford Motor Company and Russian automobile company Sollers OJSC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under which the parties intend to launch a new 50:50-owned joint venture called Ford Sollers for the production and distribution of Ford vehicles in Russia. Ford began producing cars in Russia in 2002.

Russia 186
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Volkswagen Group appoints new heads of Global R&D, Group Design, Group Product and Modular Toolkit Strategy

Green Car Congress

Having started his career at Ford, he was Head of Volkswagen Group Research from 2000 to 2003. Ralf-Gerhard Willner will lead Group Product and Modular Toolkit Strategy. Wolfram Thomas takes charge of Group Production. Eichhorn holds a PhD in mechanical engineering. He began his career at Audi in Ingolstadt in 1987.

Design 150