Technological innovation has been at the heart of Ford Motor Company for more than a century and this year Thomson Reuters has recognized that with a place on its Top 100 Global Innovators list. The full list can be found at http://www.top100innovators.com. “Developing creative solutions to real problems in mobility and manufacturing has always been a core of the Ford philosophy and today we are encouraging innovation more than ever,” said Bill Coughlin, CEO, Ford Global Technologies. “We're in an increasingly competitive marketplace and embracing the challenge to continuously improve quality, safety, energy efficiency and technology. “Enhancements to programs like the Employee Patent Incentive Awards encourage our team members to think outside the box for new solutions.” Invention submissions are up 60 percent since the launch of the enhanced invention incentives that included memberships to TechShop as an early award. Getting onto the Top 100 Global Innovators list takes a major investment in developing intellectual property and Ford engineers and researchers have come through recently with nearly 500 patents granted for hybrid electric vehicle technology. The search for ever-improving fuel efficiency has also yielded more than 25 patent applications for the controls for Auto Start-Stop and 125 for EcoBoost engine technology alone. Innovation goes beyond the engine compartment to include human-machine interfaces like the innovative SmartGauge instrument cluster, the EcoGuide driver coaching system and the new EV+ system on Ford electrified vehicles. “From the Model T and the moving assembly line to the latest C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrids, Ford has been on the leading edge of using technology to benefit our customers and we don't plan to slow the pace anytime soon,” Coughlin added. – SG
