Ford identified four megatrends that it says are disrupting the auto industry as urbanization; the growth boom of the global middle class; changing consumer priorities; and the continued concerns about air pollution and the health issues it may cause.
As part of its news conference at the Consumer Electronics Show 2016 at Mandalay Bay on Tuesday, Jan. 5, in Las Vegas, Ford announced its part in tackling the air pollution megatrend disruptor — by investing $4.5 billion in electrified vehicles and vowing to roll out 13 all-new electric vehicles by 2020.
That — in addition to Ford's EcoBoost gasoline engine technology, which touts 275 U.S. patents and another 200 pending — figures to make for a much greener Ford now and within the next four years and beyond. EcoBoost is a combination of turbocharging and direct fuel injection that improves fuel economy without sacrificing engine power, as Ford describes it. The technology adds power and lifts acceleration without too many disavantages to gas mileage, the company says.
It's part of Ford's concerted effort to segue its company from not only being an automaker to also being a company specializing in mobility.
