FORD UNVEILS WORLD'S CLEANEST INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE AT SHANGHAI FORUM

New engine meets world's cleanest air quality standards Engine could be produced in 12 to 24 months

SHANGHAI, Oct. 13, 2004 - Ford Motor Company today unveiled development of the world's cleanest internal combustion engine along with a demonstration of technologies that could lead from the present hybrid vehicles now available right through the ultimate in zero emissions, hydrogen fuel cells.

The new 2.3-liter hydrogen engine, shown at the 2004 Challenge Bibendum here, with Lean NOx Trap (LNT) aftertreatment, meets the stringent SULEV-Bin 2 emissions standards. Ford engineers are in the process of optimizing its calibration to give performance similar to a gasoline-powered engine. Limited production for real-world demonstration could come within 12 to 24 months.

First tests of the new hydrogen engine with LNT aftertreatment, produced nitrogen oxide results below the SULEV or Tier2-Bin 2 standard, the world's cleanest. Subsequent tests were just as promising. Ford's target is to meet these challenging emissions requirements, produce virtually no CO2 and deliver gasoline-like performance.

"This is exciting news," said Sue Cischke, vice president, Environmental and Safety Engineering. "No company has ever demonstrated a hydrogen internal combustion engine that can meet these standards and have near zero carbon dioxide emissions. Another important chapter in environmental history has been written," she said. In addition to the new hydrogen engine, Ford Motor Company also displayed an array of products that include the Escape Hybrid sport utility, now on sale in North America, that concludes with the ultimate in zero emissions, a Ford Focus powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

"Ford is the only automaker with a product plan and a development effort in place to move all of us to a hydrogen-powered future," said Cischke. "This week, we're showing what is available today and how it can lead to a emissions-free world with hydrogen fuel cells," she said.

On display at this year's Challenge Bibendum is the all-new 2005 Escape Hybrid sport utility, the industry's first full hybrid that provides a 50 percent improvement in fuel economy over a conventional Escape with a V6 engine. The front-wheel-drive Escape is certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide 36 miles per gallon in city driving. Its acceleration is similar to a V6 while maintaining the cargo capacity of the basic Escape.

A full hybrid is able to run on either gasoline or its electric motor depending on driving conditions. It delivers its most efficient fuel performance in stop-and-go traffic.

Ford is also showing its Hydrogen Hybrid Research Vehicle (H2RV), a technology that could be offered for sale today, provided that the hydrogen fueling infrastructure were widely available. The H2RV combines a 2.3-liter internal combustion engine powered by hydrogen, boosted by a supercharger, with a patented Modular Hybrid Transmission System. Ford is the only automaker to develop this powertrain combination and put it into operation. These vehicles, based on the best-selling Ford Focus wagon, are now in use in Southeast Michigan in the U.S. and are generating thousands of miles in real-world conditions.

Emissions of all pollutants, including carbon dioxide, are nearly zero. The electric motor and the advanced controls allow the H2RV to stop the internal combustion engine when the vehicle is at rest and start it again quickly and smoothly.

The most advanced environmental vehicle Ford has ever produced is the Ford Focus Fuel Cell (FCV) and also is one of the industry's first "hybridized fuel cell vehicles" that combines the improved range and performance of hybrid technology with the benefits of fuel cells.

The Focus FCV uses a Ballard fuel cell engine that converts the chemical energy into electricity using hydrogen and oxygen. Electricity powers the vehicle's motor, producing only water and heat as by-products. The Focus FCV has been hybridized with the addition of a Sanyo battery pack and a brake-by-wire electrohydraulic series regenerative braking system, both of which are found on the Escape Hybrid. The Focus FCV also has an advanced storage tank that can handle 5,000 pounds per square inch of hydrogen.

Right now, there is a fleet of 20 Focus FCV operating in Southeast Michigan. Others can be found in California and British Columbia. More are planned for other locations in North America.

Ford also is showing for the first time in Asia the Mondeo with a new 1.8-liter Direct Injection Duratec Smart Charge Injection system (Sci) engine that promises reductions in fuel consumption of 6 to 8 percent in real-world driving and lower emissions. The all-aluminum engine is derived from Ford's Duratec family of in-line four-cylinder engines that power the Mondeo, which is now built and sold in China. The new Duratec Sci uses less fuel, particularly under low engine speeds or low load conditions which makes it ideal for improving fuel economy in everyday driving. The Mondeo is built by Changan Ford in Chongqing for the Chinese market.

All new vehicles that Ford plans to introduce in China will meet the most stringent safety and emissions requirements in the world. All Ford vehicles now sold in China already have front air bags as standard equipment and meet all Ford corporate safety guidelines. Beginning in July, all passenger vehicles will meet the Euro 3 emissions requirements.

"This is a very promising and very exciting display of vehicles," Cischke said. "It's exciting because we are not showing something that might happen or could happen at some distant point in the future. This technology is real, it works, it delivers on its promise. And I am very proud of Ford for keeping to its commitment to build a better world," she said.