After winning praise for renewing Ford Motor Co.’s product lineup in Europe, then globally, Joseph Bakaj now must make the company’s powertrains greener.

Bakaj said his latest role takes him back to when he joined Ford in 1985 in the UK to work on powertrains. This time, the challenges are bigger. Tougher fuel economy and CO2 emission regulations in Europe and the United States, and increased consumer demand, are driving the race for cleaner, greener engines.

“How to do it is a challenge, but it’s exciting for me. The pace of technological change is faster than ever,” Bakaj said.

Bakaj has a brilliant track record. In 2000, he was named Engineer of the Year by a UK magazine for his work as engineering manager for the Ford Mondeo.

After stints as Ford’s engineering director for North American truck product development and at Mazda, where he was responsible for global product development, Bakaj became Ford of Europe’s head of product development in 2005.

His work in renewing Ford’s product lineup with models such as the S-Max minivan, Kuga crossover and Fiesta subcompact earned him a promotion to head of global product programs three years later.

An important project on Bakaj’s desk is Ford’s new 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine for the company’s global small cars. The engine is designed to deliver the performance of a four-cylinder, 1.6-liter unit, but with greater fuel economy.

Another key program is an eight-speed automatic transmission that will allow the carmaker to continue its effort to downsize engines, Bakaj said.

Courtesy of autonews.com

September 22-25, 2011 • Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92802
www.OrangeCountyAutoShow.com

Southern California kicks off the auto show season with the 2012-Model Orange County International Auto Show. Hundreds of new cars, trucks, sport/utility vehicles, hot exotics, alternative fuel vehicles and more will be taking over the Anaheim Convention Center and attendees will be able to test drive select models right outside the show. From the hottest new models to show-stopping entertainment, the show offers something for everyone.

More than 30 Major Domestic & Import Manufacturers– Featuring hundreds of the latest 2012-model cars, trucks, crossovers, exotics and sport/utility vehicles.

Ride & Drives– Take a spin and get a real feel for the performance and handling in new models from Buick, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC and Toyota. Plus, be one of the first people in Orange County to test drive a Nissan LEAF at the Drive Electric Tour sponsored by the 100% Electric Nissan LEAF.

Gumpert Apollo– Gumpert has teamed up with CEC to bring the Supercar to North America. The 2006 Gumpert Apollo is the very first one in the series with serial # 001.The Apollo can go from 0-60 MPH in just 2.8 seconds and has a top speed of 203 MPH.

DUB. Magazine Celebrity Car Showcase– See tricked-out vehicles owned by music and sports celebrities.

SHIFTR Automotive and Lifestyle Expo– Experience the Tuner lifestyle at the SHIFTR display, featuring DJs spinning music, an Urban B-Boy Battle and more.

King Robota, Saturday & Sunday– Standing more than eight feet high, the Comic-Bot, King Robota, will entertain showgoers with his quick wit, dancing and musical talents.

The OC Auto Show is an indoor exhibition of new-model vehicles. The show is owned and presented by the Orange County Automobile Dealers Association and the Southland Motor Car Dealers Association, and produced by Motor Trend Auto Shows, LLC.

• Ford is working more closely than ever with suppliers to offer increasing levels of new technologies in its vehicles
• Ford uses Aligned Business Framework principles to promote early collaboration with suppliers on innovative vehicle features

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Aug. 1, 2011 – Ford Motor Company, which is working closely with suppliers to offer increasing levels of new technologies in its vehicles, was named a winner Monday of the 2011 Automotive News Suppliers’ Choice Award.

The award, announced at the Center for Automotive Research’s annual conference here, recognizes outstanding work in bringing innovations to market. Winners were chosen through a detailed survey of suppliers that J.D. Power and Associates conducts for Automotive News every two years. It ranks North American automakers on their ability to support, foster and commercialize the suppliers’ innovations.

“I am pleased to accept this award, not just on behalf of Ford Purchasing, but for all our colleagues in Product Development and throughout the entire Ford organization,” said Birgit Behrendt, executive director, Ford Global Programs and The Americas Purchasing.

Ford’s top performance in 2011 follows a significant improvement in the 2009 study, and is the latest example of Ford’s continuously improving supplier relations. Ford uses the principles of its Aligned Business Framework (ABF) to guide how it works with suppliers. In addition to collaboration and transparency, ABF promotes early sharing of product plans and new technologies between Ford and its key suppliers.

“Smart technologies are a distinguishing feature of Ford vehicles and we are collaborating more closely than ever with our suppliers to put these in customers’ hands,” said Tony Brown, group vice president, Ford Global Purchasing. “It is gratifying to see that our efforts are paying off, because they represent a win for both Ford and our suppliers.”

The new Ford Focus shows how Ford is working closely with suppliers to equip vehicles with numerous technologies that enhance customer comfort and convenience – technologies that are normally associated with luxury vehicles. The Focus includes 14 key technology benefits, such as the Active City Stop feature that helps drivers avoid low-speed collisions, that are the result of early cooperation with suppliers during the car’s development process.

“Suppliers are a tremendous source of the new ideas that bring added benefits to our customers,” said Brown. “Using ABF, we will continue to improve on our relationships and become the customer of choice for innovations that benefit all of us.”

In the Automotive News survey, automakers are evaluated on five factors: openness to new ideas; ease of working with the automaker on innovative ideas; level of trust; willingness to provide financial incentives or rewards for supplier innovation; and ability to implement innovations.

The 2011 survey included responses from supplier CEOs, presidents and executives, and represents all areas of vehicle design, engineering and manufacturing. Responses on 15 automakers that manufacture vehicles in North America are included.

The survey, launched in 2003, was conducted for Automotive News by J.D. Power.

Courtesy of media.ford.com