India CSR News Network
NEW DELHI: Harnessing the power of its advanced vehicles, innovative technologies and commitment to a better world, Ford Motor Company has launched its 17th Sustainability report. The 2015-16 Sustainability Report highlights key environmental benchmarks and the ongoing work of the automaker, including its expanded focus beyond vehicle production to developing mobility solutions for the future.
Earlier this year, the automaker created Ford Smart Mobility LLC, a new subsidiary to design, build, grow and invest in emerging mobility services using existing Ford innovations, products and technologies.
- 2015-16 Sustainability Report highlights Ford’s continued focus on the human impact of doing business – from developing future mobility solutions to investing an additional $4.5 billion for the development of more electrified vehicles and technologies by 2020
- Ford worked with World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s (WBCSD) Sustainable Mobility Project (SMP) 2.0 to develop SMP 1.0 in Indore.
Working towards sustainable mobility in India, Ford worked with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s (WBCSD) Sustainable Mobility Project (SMP) 2.0 to develop SMP 1.0, the first iteration of the project in Indore. A number of solutions were suggested, which focus on extending access to safe, reliable and comfortable mobility for all. These include no traffic zones, the formulation of a comprehensive parking plan, a dedicated hawker zone, introducing more city buses, constructing pedestrian sidewalks, and providing dedicated bicycle lanes.
Driven to deliver a great customer experience, Ford has unveiled a bevy of new technologies to help people stay better connected behind the wheel. Its latest, FordPass® – an innovative consumer experience platform that launched in April – will offer such services as remote vehicle access through a smartphone app, and mobility solutions such as parking and car sharing.
Ford is working nimbly, collaborating with startups and tech companies to design and build mobility services. Early this month, Ford and Techstars Mobility, driven by Detroit introduced its 2016 class of startup businesses that will develop future mobility solutions. Launched in 2015, the mentorship-driven accelerator program supports a dozen startups annually that are working on ride-sharing services and technologies, improving the car-ownership experience, and safety and autonomous-driving technologies.
Ford is also experimenting around the globe to solve some of the most complex mobility issues of the future. In the past 16 months, the company has conducted more than 30 global mobility experiments to gain insight into changing consumer transportation preferences. Several ongoing pilot programs include GoPark, which is building a predictive parking system in London capable of directing drivers to streets where they are most likely to find a space; also in London is GoDrive, a car-sharing program that provides vehicles with guaranteed parking at busy locations. At the Ford World Headquarters campus in Dearborn, the Dynamic Shuttle program allows employees and visitors to summon point-to-point rides on-demand.
Ford, America’s top seller of plug-in hybrid vehicles has also announced an expansion of its research and development in Europe and Asia. Investing $4.5 billion, the automaker plans to add 13 electrified vehicles to its portfolio, making 40 percent of its nameplates electrified products by 2020. Ford will also spend $2.1 million on a state-of-the-art facility at the University of Michigan to boost research and development of advanced battery technology.
Bringing a better tomorrow
Ford is deeply committed to running a responsible business that treats its customers, employees, communities and the planet with respect. The automaker has consistently reduced its global water usage per vehicle produced for several years. Carbon dioxide emissions per vehicle produced has also improved. And numerous Ford facilities send no waste to landfills. The Sanand and Chennai manufacturing facilities have been saving water by adopting water conservation methods and implementing state-of-the-art technologies such as a Zero Liquid Discharge system. One hundred percent of the wastewater generated by the plant is treated on-site and then reused in the production process and irrigating the site’s green spaces.
“Setting goals and working toward stretching targets is our way of embracing the sustainability opportunities and challenges we face as a company and a society,” said Kim Pittel, Ford vice president, sustainability, environment and safety engineering. “Through human energy, ingenuity and a rigorous scientific approach, Ford is working to be part of the solution.”
Ford is the only automaker named as the World’s Most Ethical Company® list by Ethisphere Institute for seven consecutive years. Ford earned an “A” for its work to conserve water by CDP, the world’s only global environmental disclosure agency. And earlier this month, the company won the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council award for its innovative Partnership for A Cleaner Environment program. PACE aims to help company suppliers minimize their impact on the environment by sharing details of Ford’s best practices for water, energy and carbon dioxide reduction.
