(SEOUL) October 27, 2010 – Kia Motors is celebrating the world premiere of its new fuel efficient, ethanol-gasoline powered Soul Flex today (Wednesday), at the 26th Salao Internacional do Automovel, in S?o Paulo, Brazil.
Kia's Soul Flex is the first Korean FFV (Flexible Fuel Vehicle) which can run on an ethanol-gasoline mixture, 100% ethanol or 100% gasoline. It is especially designed for the Brazilian market, where 'flex' models account for more than 85% of the new car sales.
Currently, Brazil is ranked No2 in the world, in terms of ethanol production, and consequently its motorists enjoy the low cost of ethanol, which is priced at 40% less than gasoline. As well as lower fuel costs, the industrial product tax (purchase tax) on new flex vehicles is only 11%, 2% lower than gasoline models.
The newly-introduced Soul Flex, with its unique exterior design features, boasts a 44% improvement in fuel efficiency compared with the existing gasoline model and superior power (128 ps) and torque (16.5 kg-m) outputs, which are improved by 3.2% and 3.7% respectively from the original model (Table-1).
Differences from the gasoline model include the newly adapted fuel injection & catalyst system as well as engine compression ratio – changes which combine to achieve enhanced fuel economy.
Changes made to accommodate the more abrasive nature of ethanol fuel include reinforcing the fuel pump, pillar cap and fuel line, and fitting a gasoline tank assistance system in order to aid engine ignition at low temperatures.
Kia Motors will begin exporting Soul Flex to Brazil this month, with the new models going on sale at Kia dealerships early next year. Kia is planning to introduce an all-new Sportage 'Flex' model at the end of next year, and Kia will further strengthen its presence in Brazilian market as new flex models are to be introduced in each market segment.
So far in 2010, Brazil has been one of Kia's best performing markets, with sales increasing by 151% year-on-year, reaching 40,865 units up to the end of September.
To strengthen its current sales momentum, Kia plans to take advantage of its involvement with 2014 Brazil FIFA World Cup from the early stages, as a major sponsor of the world's biggest sporting event.
Maximizing the impact of this sponsorship and the introduction of new models, such as Flex models and new SUVs tailored to suit local consumer demands, Kia plans to expand its sales volume in Brazil as well as Central & South American market.
Oct 29, 2010
FORD TO INVEST ADDITIONAL $850 MILLION IN MICHIGAN TO ENGINEER, BUILD FUEL-EFFICIENT NEW VEHICLES
Workers at Ford's Van Dyke Transmission Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich., assemble fuel-efficient four- and six-speed transmissions for several vehicles in Ford's product lineup. The plant will expand its operations in the next few years as part of Ford's $850 million investment in the state.
* Ford will invest an incremental $850 million in Michigan between 2011 and 2013 as part of its competitive plan to engineer and manufacture even more fuel-efficient vehicles and fuel-saving technologies in the state
* Among other projects, Ford will expand manufacturing capabilities for new, fuel-efficient six-speed transmissions. New investments support up to 1,200 new full-time manufacturing and engineering positions in Michigan
* To help enable this investment plan, Ford has worked with the State of Michigan on job retention tax incentives that contribute to the state's overall manufacturing competitiveness
DETROIT, Oct. 25, 2010 – Ford Motor Company today announced plans to invest an additional $850 million in Michigan between 2011 and 2013 as part of the company's commitment to competitively grow its engineering and manufacturing employee base, upgrade its facilities in the state and further improve its vehicle fuel economy.
"Fuel economy and technology are consumers' biggest priorities – and we have made them Ford's as well," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. "We are pleased to work with state and local government leaders to find new ways to work together, invest in our people as well as Ford facilities, further improve our competitiveness and secure jobs in Michigan."
Ford's investment will generate up to 1,200 new full-time positions in manufacturing and engineering operations in Michigan by 2013. The company expects approximately 900 jobs will be hourly positions in its Michigan manufacturing facilities and the remaining 300 will be salaried positions within its engineering and manufacturing operations.
Ford is making the Michigan investment commitment after working with officials on a new Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) package that replaces several existing state incentives and makes Michigan a more competitive place to invest in new fuel-saving technologies and facilities. The Michigan Economic Development Council considers the package this week.
Once approved, Ford will allocate its $850 million investment across a variety of plants including Van Dyke Transmission, Sterling Axle, Livonia Transmission and Dearborn Truck Plant.
For instance, a significant portion of the company's additional investment will benefit engineering and production of Ford's new six-speed transmissions, which are planned for many future Ford vehicles and built at the Livonia Transmission Plant and Van Dyke Transmission Plant. By 2013, 100 percent of Ford vehicles will incorporate a six-speed transmission as part of the company's commitment to leadership in fuel economy performance in all vehicle segments.
"We applaud the State of Michigan's leadership in finding innovative solutions aimed at making both the state and Ford more competitive," Fields said. "Promoting investments in technologies, facilities and our workforce ultimately will help revitalize manufacturing in Michigan and help Ford compete with the best in the business world-wide."
This most recent investment commitment builds on the $950 million the company previously announced in Michigan to transform the Michigan Assembly Plant from a large SUV factory to a state-of-the-art car plant, which will build the new Focus arriving in showrooms early next year, as well as the company's battery electric Focus and next generation hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, all planned for production at the Wayne, Mich., facility by 2012.
"We've worked hard to keep Michigan the center of the automobile industry, and Ford's investment is further evidence that our efforts are succeeding," said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. "We look forward to continuing our partnership with Ford as the American auto industry builds the green vehicles of the future."
* Ford will invest an incremental $850 million in Michigan between 2011 and 2013 as part of its competitive plan to engineer and manufacture even more fuel-efficient vehicles and fuel-saving technologies in the state
* Among other projects, Ford will expand manufacturing capabilities for new, fuel-efficient six-speed transmissions. New investments support up to 1,200 new full-time manufacturing and engineering positions in Michigan
* To help enable this investment plan, Ford has worked with the State of Michigan on job retention tax incentives that contribute to the state's overall manufacturing competitiveness
DETROIT, Oct. 25, 2010 – Ford Motor Company today announced plans to invest an additional $850 million in Michigan between 2011 and 2013 as part of the company's commitment to competitively grow its engineering and manufacturing employee base, upgrade its facilities in the state and further improve its vehicle fuel economy.
"Fuel economy and technology are consumers' biggest priorities – and we have made them Ford's as well," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. "We are pleased to work with state and local government leaders to find new ways to work together, invest in our people as well as Ford facilities, further improve our competitiveness and secure jobs in Michigan."
Ford's investment will generate up to 1,200 new full-time positions in manufacturing and engineering operations in Michigan by 2013. The company expects approximately 900 jobs will be hourly positions in its Michigan manufacturing facilities and the remaining 300 will be salaried positions within its engineering and manufacturing operations.
Ford is making the Michigan investment commitment after working with officials on a new Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) package that replaces several existing state incentives and makes Michigan a more competitive place to invest in new fuel-saving technologies and facilities. The Michigan Economic Development Council considers the package this week.
Once approved, Ford will allocate its $850 million investment across a variety of plants including Van Dyke Transmission, Sterling Axle, Livonia Transmission and Dearborn Truck Plant.
For instance, a significant portion of the company's additional investment will benefit engineering and production of Ford's new six-speed transmissions, which are planned for many future Ford vehicles and built at the Livonia Transmission Plant and Van Dyke Transmission Plant. By 2013, 100 percent of Ford vehicles will incorporate a six-speed transmission as part of the company's commitment to leadership in fuel economy performance in all vehicle segments.
"We applaud the State of Michigan's leadership in finding innovative solutions aimed at making both the state and Ford more competitive," Fields said. "Promoting investments in technologies, facilities and our workforce ultimately will help revitalize manufacturing in Michigan and help Ford compete with the best in the business world-wide."
This most recent investment commitment builds on the $950 million the company previously announced in Michigan to transform the Michigan Assembly Plant from a large SUV factory to a state-of-the-art car plant, which will build the new Focus arriving in showrooms early next year, as well as the company's battery electric Focus and next generation hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, all planned for production at the Wayne, Mich., facility by 2012.
"We've worked hard to keep Michigan the center of the automobile industry, and Ford's investment is further evidence that our efforts are succeeding," said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. "We look forward to continuing our partnership with Ford as the American auto industry builds the green vehicles of the future."
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