Ford announces new power train options for the China market

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Ford are planning to bring 20 new engines and transmissions to the Chinese market over the next few years according to a press release issued on the first day of the Guangzhou Auto Show. Ford’s goal is simple, introduce their Ecoboost technology into China along with new transmissions and save 20% fuel across the Ford fleet by 2015. It seems like a simple task on paper, however Ford will be planning to bring 15 new engines to the Chinese market to satisfy 20 new cars, the new engines will be based around turbocharging, direct injection, twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) and also Ford’s new Powershift six speed transmissions.

The smallest engine being introduced to China will be the tiny 1.0L Turbo which will find itself in a new range of vehicles in China, although it may well be put into Ford’s current small car, the Fiesta.

“Ford is committed to be a fuel economy leader in every segment that we compete by utilizing advanced powertrain technologies.  These technologies represent a core part of our near-term sustainability goals in China,” said Kumar Galhotra, vice president, Product Development, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa.  “Earlier this year at the Shanghai Auto Show, Ford announced a plan to introduce 15 new vehicles to China by 2015. All these new vehicles will launch with the latest Ford-developed powertrains which will improve fuel economy and lower carbon dioxide emissions, offering our customers a more environment-friendly ride without compromising vehicle performance.”

As part of its powertrain upgrade, Ford plans to replace the current four-speed automatic transmission with advanced six-speed transmissions which will not only provide smoother gear shifts but also improved fuel economy.

In line with Ford’s strategy to overhaul its powertrain lineup in China, most of these new powertrains will be manufactured in the country for use in future vehicles. Currently, Ford’s joint venture in China, Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. (CFMA), is building a new engine plant and a new transmission plant, with initial annual capacity of up to 400,000 in each plant.