From the guy whose name is on the building, through more than 200 engineers from all areas of vehicle development and technology, Ford Motor Co. is participating in the SAE 2010 World Congress in a big way.
As this year’s host company, Ford is bringing a wealth of engineering talent and new products to Cobo Hall for the week’s professional discussions and exhibition. And to cap off the event, Ford Executive Chairman William C. Ford Jr. is the keynote banquet speaker on April 15.
Bill Ford Jr.’s unwavering commitment to environmental leadership has helped inspire the company’s engineering efforts in advanced powertrains, alternative propulsion, and low-emissions manufacturing. His banquet speech comes 64 years after his uncle, Henry Ford II, gave his famous "The Challenge of Human Engineering" speech to the SAE in 1946.
Throughout the week, Ford engineering management will be participating in panel discussions and presentations at the AVL Theater. The roster of top executives includes Gerhard Schmidt, Chief Technical Officer, Vice President Research and Advanced Engineering; Barb Samardzich, Vice President Powertrain Engineering; Jim Vondale, director of Ford’s Automotive Safety Office; Dan Kapp, Advanced Powertrain Director; Sherif Markby, Chief Engineer of Global Core Hybrid-Electric Vehicle Propulsion; Michael Tamor, Executive Technical Leader for Hybrid and Fuel Cell Propulsion Systems; and Bob Fascetti, Director of Large Gas and Diesel Engine Engineering; Robert Holycross, Manager, Environmental Energy Planning & Compliance; and Michael Taylor, Director of Global Interior Purchasing.
Paul Mascarenas, Vice President of Engineering, Global Vehicle Development, is serving as General Chairman of this year’s Congress.
In addition, more than 200 Ford engineers are participating in the event’s technical program in various topic areas.
On the Cobo Hall exhibit floor, Ford is showcasing its latest technologies. Experts will be on hand to discuss EcoBoost direct-injected turbocharged engines; MyFord driver connect technology with SYNC; SmartGauge with EcoGuide driver coaching; Adaptive Cruise Control with CollisionWarning; BLIS with Cross Traffic Alert; MyKey; new body structure developments featuring ultrahigh-strength steels; and the Ford battery-electric propulsion system being developed with its e-drive technology partner (and SAE’s Tier One Strategic Partner for the Congress), Magna International.
Ford also graciously donated a number of new vehicles for ride-and-drives during the Congress. Leading the list is the battery-electric Focus, due to enter U.S. production for MY2012. Other new vehicles on display and available for drives include the 2010 Taurus SHO, 2011 Mustang, 2010 Transit Connect, and 2010 Fusion Hybrid.
The drives will be staged from the front of Cobo Hall on Tuesday from noon to 4 p.m. and on Wednesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 pm.