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Ford First with 2005 Emissions Level Powertrains

16 June 1999

Ford First with 2005 Emissions Level Powertrains

    AACHEN, Germany, June 15 -- Ford Motor Company
Chairman, William Clay Ford Jr., announced today Ford would begin a
progressive roll-out of more sophisticated low emissions powertrains in Europe
from next January.  The powertrains will meet the European Union's proposed
Stage IV emissions standards five years before they are due to become law.
    The Stage IV powertrains will initially be available in Ford Ka and Fiesta
models from early 2000.  Other models will also be made available with the
powertrains, which feature advanced on-board diagnostic systems, during the
year.  The Stage IV emissions standards are not scheduled to come into
force until January 2005.
    "We are determined to deliver affordable environmentally friendly products
to our consumers as soon as possible," said Mr. Ford, speaking at the opening
of Ford's new US$35 million advanced research centre in Aachen, Germany.  "The
early roll out of these Stage IV powertrains, along with the introduction this
year of a comprehensive range of alternative fuel vehicles, highlights Ford's
commitment to providing sustainable personal mobility into the 21st century."
    Ford's Stage IV vehicles are at least 50 per cent cleaner in terms of
carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions
than those that meet the European Union's Stage III emissions standard, which
comes into force for all new cars registered from January 1, 2000.
    The powertrains also include an on-board diagnostics system (E-OBD) which
monitors emissions to ensure they do not exceed the Stage IV standard for up
to five years.  If the standard is exceeded, a warning light will appear on
the instrument panel.
    Many Ford engines in Europe already meet most of the Stage IV emissions
requirements.  Ford currently offers the widest range of engines that comply
with Germany's D4 and E4 emissions standards, which stipulate identical levels
of CO, HC and NOx emissions from the tailpipe, and enable consumers to receive
financial incentives from the German government.
    However, Stage IV requires not only the on-board diagnostics capability,
which ensures engines comply with the legislative standard in service, but
also imposes strict emissions levels during a cold start test.  This is
difficult because catalytic converters need to reach operating temperature
before they start efficiently cleansing exhaust gases.
    Ford's Stage IV powertrains will enable German consumers to continue to
receive government incentives after the current benefits for D4 and E4 engines
cease at the end of next year.