Interbrand, who ranks the top 50 "Best Global Green Brands For 2014" seems to have a special place in it's heart for automotive. In fact, 10 of their 50 greenest brands in the world come from the automotive sector, including the top four positions. This year, Ford took the lead spot, after four years of domination by Toyota. Toyota claimed second place this year, ahead of Honda and Nissan. As demand for electric vehicles grows, manufacturers have been forced to integrate this segment and diversify supply. With new 100 percent electric models and hybrids offered each year, consumers have never had so many opportunities to save on fuel, and do their part for the environment.
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The Ford Focus may be the best selling car in the world. The current model has been with us since 2011, and since the competition in this segment is so fierce, it's already time for Ford to update it's very popular compact car. The headlights and grille are more refined and elegant, with a little inspiration coming from the Fusion. The car's hood, taillights and trunk lid have also been redesigned. It will be available in Canada in both four and five door models. The biggest novelty is very small and found under the hood. Buyers can now select the EcoBoost 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine. Coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox, this engine was twice (in 2012 and in 2013) named "Engine of the Year" by a panel of automotive journalists.
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Recent efforts show that Ford is working hard to increase the already-substantial popularity of the Ford Focus. Their various efforts have included improvements to the engine, body and interior. Over the model years of 2010 through to 2012, Ford made some minor incremental improvements to the fuel economy, bringing it up from 9.8/6.7 to 9/6.5 litres per 100 kilometres for city/highway driving (or 24/35 to 26/36 miles per gallon for city/highway driving). This translates to an additional 40 kilometres for a 50-litre tank of gas (the 2011 model has a 51.1 litre tank, and the 2012/13 has a 46.9 litre tank). Although this improvement is minor, it shows steps toward the mandated fleet fuel economy rating of 54.5 mpg (4.3 l/100km) by 2025 set by the US government.
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Ford has achieved a major milestone in its history, having just produced its 350-millionth vehicle. And it was a 2013 Focus that allowed the American giant to pass this impressive mark. Founded in 1903 by Henry Ford, this US car maker has just assembled its 350-millionth vehicle, 109 years after the company was formed. As John Fleming, vice president of global manufacturing says, it’s an impressive achievement: " Consider, for a moment, the enormity of 350 million vehicles. It’s equivalent to producing one vehicle every 10 seconds for 109 years; and, if placed end to end, would stretch to the moon and back—twice! ".
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