Ford Motor Company today announced details on new development techniques
used to create its all-new Mustang and F-150, originating with the
automaker’s suppliers. As Ford embarks on its most aggressive product
launch year to date, with 23 launches globally – 16 in North America –
the company is looking to its suppliers to help differentiate its
products in the global marketplace, while continuing to meet customer
expectations for safety, quality, sustainability and technology.
“As part of our One Ford plan, our suppliers are critical to creating
profitable growth for all,” said Hau Thai-Tang, group vice president,
Ford Global Purchasing. “With the industry’s highest product refresh
rates, commitment to product excellence and innovation, and clear brand
positioning, Ford is a preferred customer with the supply base.”
At the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminar,
Thai-Tang outlined several industry-first, Ford-supplier technologies
that are being introduced on new 2015 products including:
-
Quarter windows for 2015 Mustang 50 Years Limited Edition: Rather
than a traditional plastic or metal louver that sits on top of the
glass, Ford worked with Magna International to create quarter windows
consisting of an industry-first louvered glass. The result is a modern
homage to a classic design cue that is unique to the Mustang 50 Years
Limited Edition
-
Hydroformed A-pillar and roof rails, 2015 Mustang: To deliver
top performance with the most efficient headroom package and weight,
Ford worked with Schuler and Midway to engineer the heaviest-gauge
steel hydroformed A-pillar and roof rails. Through the collaboration,
torsional stiffness increases 28 percent for the new car while the
body-in-white is lighter than the previous model
-
Stronger, lighter high-strength steel frame, 2015 F-150: As
part of Ford’s collaboration with Metalsa, the company used
tailor-rolled blanks with variable material thickness, patented
structures that reduce material usage without decreasing performance,
increased high-strength steel from 22 percent to 77 percent and
improved joining to take more than 60 pounds out of the frame while
improving rigidity and enabling higher towing and hauling ratings
-
Segment-first LED headlamps, 2015 F-150: Ford collaborated with
OSRAM and Flex-n-Gate to design an innovative full-solid-state
headlamp design that saves energy, is designed for longevity, and
casts a much brighter and clearer light down the road than halogen or
incandescent lamps. A jewel-like optical cube channels light energy
from a single LED chip to provide optimal lighting and visibility
“Considering the impact suppliers have on our business, with 70 percent
of the value of the vehicle being purchased from our supplier partners,
our suppliers are critical to our ability to offer attractive solutions
to our customers,” said Thai-Tang. “Ford’s Aligned Business Framework,
which we introduced close to ten years ago, fosters an environment of
transparency and will continue to guide our close relationships with our
suppliers.”
Strong ties with suppliers
Ford has relationships with more than 1,100 production suppliers
operating at more than 4,600 manufacturing sites that produce 130,000
parts for inclusion in vehicles the company sells. Because of the
integral role its suppliers play in the company’s overall growth and
sustainability, Ford works to foster a business environment that is both
creative and transparent, leading to new innovations and acceleration in
the development of new vehicles.
A core component of Ford’s strong supplier relationship is its Matched
Pairs system, an internal alignment initiative between its product
development and purchasing departments. Through the system, not only are
the technical and commercial strategies aligned, but members from each
department are paired so that decisions are made in tandem from the
beginning. This approach increases collaboration from product design
through procurement, and simplifies communication by reducing the points
of contact for each commodity. The alignment of the two departments
means they share a common cost objective, and improves interaction with
suppliers by allowing them to engage directly at the right level.
The Matched Pairs system is part of Ford’s Aligned Business Framework.
It enables supplier innovations to reach customers quicker by providing
more robust tracking of new technologies, from idea to implementation.
The framework encourages more communication between suppliers and senior
Ford leaders, offers greater opportunities to increase scale, and
engages suppliers earlier in the product design process. Ford has more
than 100 Aligned Business Framework suppliers.
Another framework initiative helping to spur supplier innovation is the
Executive Business Technology Review. This allows Ford’s senior
leadership team from product development and purchasing to experience
suppliers’ latest technologies through a show-and-tell, and for Ford to
potentially be the first automaker to introduce these technologies to
drivers around the world. Key technologies introduced through the review
include Ford’s hands-free liftgate, active park assist and lane-keeping
system, which debuted on various 2012 and 2013 Ford vehicles. Ford will
continue to leverage its Aligned Business Framework to provide a
systematic structure for suppliers to introduce new technologies to Ford
customers.
“Many technologies on the road today were developed as a result of our
supplier relationships,” said Thai-Tang. “We will continue to strive to
be our suppliers’ customer of choice through our continued new product
introductions and emphasis on technology excellence.”
About Ford Motor Company
Ford
Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in
Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six
continents. With about 186,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the
company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company
provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more
information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit corporate.ford.com.
For news releases, related materials and high-resolution photos and
video, visit www.media.ford.com.
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