After advertising its new C-MAX Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid 47 mpg mileage, Ford faced a lot of negative publicity, along with a federal class-action lawsuit, when Consumer Reports published its own test findings that were 17 and 21 percent lower than the EPA-certified mileage.
During the Deutche Bank Global Industry Conference in Detroit on Tuesday, January 15, Ford’s product development chief Raj Nair disclosed that the EPA may change its testing procedures concerning the consumption of hybrid models.
“We continue to work closely with the EPA to determine whether the industry testing procedure needs changes for hybrid vehicle testing”, said Nair.
He also said that it’s not just Ford’s hybrids but other models, too, including rival Toyota’s Prius that didn’t measure up to the EPA’s official figures.
“They reflected a lot of differences versus the EPA label for all manufacturers”, commented Nair, adding that “there are a lot of factors that can introduce that type of variability”, such as speed and outside temperature.
According to the Blue Oval exec, hybrids can lose about 7 mpg (when driving at 75 mph (120 km/h) compared to 65 mph (105 km/h). Moreover, a 30-degree difference in outside tem can result in a 5 mpg drop while after 6,000 miles (9,600 km) a hybrid’s mileage may decrease by another 5 mpg.
He also addressed the quality problems in Ford’s North American products, pointing at issues with the MyFord Touch infotainment system being the primary reason for this drop in the last two years and saying that the company is working to make improvements.
In November 2012, Ford reported 400 problems with its infotainment system for every 1,000 vehicles. This may sound a lot but is certainly an improvement over the 2012 March 500 problems for every 1,000 vehicles rate. Ford aims to have lowered that number to 360 by next August.
By Andrew Tsaousis
Story References: Bloomberg
3 Comments:
I have a 2013 Ford Taurus SHO,with My Ford Touch. Admittedly, I have only had it for a month, but have had no problems understanding, adapting and using the system. In fact, I asked my salesman to give me a very short briefing on the system, as I prefer to learn by doing. I went home, downloaded the manual, and watched the videos Ford makes available on it's web site. Part of the fun/enjoyment of owning a new car is sitting in it, and playing with the tech. No problems at all, and my wife enjoys playing with it, while I am driving. She has the Chrysler version in her '13 Jeep GC. I like Fords system better. My 2011 Mustang GT/CS had SYNC, and I used it all the time. My music is on USB memory sticks. Oh, and lest you think we are young tech geeks...I am 69 and my wife is 67.
I thought my C-MAX would be a Prius Killer? As a cross over
buyer I feel deceived. I want to support US companies and US jobs. What was
Ford thinking when they published 47/ 47 estimates? I would have been ok with
low 40's but low 28-33 is not even in the ballpark. The EPA estimates will have
to be adjusted to the mid 30's and sell the cars as is. My dealer's sales and service department were
ok at the beginning of the complaint process, but now have turned hostile and
un-professional.
Ronald Kramer
Yankee Ford Customer
South Portland, Maine
Open letter to Ford:
I thought my 2013 C-MAX would be a Prius Killer? NOT! As a returning Ford buyer I feel deceived. I want to support US companies and US jobs. What was Ford thinking when they published 47/ 47/47 estimates? Based on the advertised EPA estimates, I would have been ok with low 40's but 28-33 mpg is not even in the ballpark. This is not an issue about EPA testing standards, but rather an issue about setting false customer expectations in order to promote sales. Ford's "47MPG" marketing campaign tarnished what should have been the roll out of a truly remarkable vehicle, the CMAX. Real world MPG estimates should have been promoted in the mid-30's. No one would have questioned those numbers and the CMAX would have received the accolades it deserves. How these MPG estimates made it through Ford corporate is beyond me! Maybe it was the rush to go to market? I have been accused of not knowing how to drive hybrid. For the record, during the last three years I have leased both a 2010 Prius and 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid, and consider myself an experienced hyper-miler. My mileage in the Prius is 50 plus, the Insight is 40 plus. The C-MAX is a well-built car, with extremely inflated EPA estimates. I respectfully request that this matter be investigated as soon as possible. My efforts to deal with this locally and through Ford customer service have frustrated me to no end. The constant response? "You need to learn to how to drive hybrid type of vehicle ". Is there a difference how I drive Prius Hybrid vs. the CMAX hybrid? I think we all know the answer to that. I need someone at Ford to reach out to me and assist in a proactive manner so we can put this matter to rest.
Ronald Kramer Yankee Ford Customer
South Portland, Maine
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