FORD'S ENGINE STORY - AUTOLINE THIS WEEK 2125

EV Channels Review

This Autoline This Week episode features Robert Fascetti, Ford's Vice President of Powertrain, discussing the company's diverse approach to future propulsion. Fascetti emphasizes that internal combustion engines (ICE) will remain relevant for years, with a transitional phase involving mild and full hybrids, and plug-in hybrids. Ford aims to offer hybridized versions of popular models like the Mustang and F-150, focusing on optimizing utility and performance. The discussion touches on the potential crossover point for battery costs versus ICE, driven by increasingly stringent emissions regulations, particularly in California, Europe, and China. Fascetti also highlights Ford's confidence in its diesel technology for the F-150 and explores advancements like variable displacement engines and the push for higher octane gasoline. The conversation concludes with a look at transmission evolution, with a preference for robust, traditional step-shift automatics over CVTs for higher torque applications, and a brief mention of electrically heated catalytic converters as a future emission control strategy.