Ford to introduce Auto Stop-Start system on some 2012 North American models

Ford announced today that it will begin rolling out its fuel-saving start-stop system on some 2012 North American models but also light trucks powered by four-cylinder engines. For those who don’t know, the fuel-saving start-stop system which is already used by several Ford models in Europe, will be seen on vehicles such as the 2012 Fiesta and Focus models, but also on other models such as the Escape crossover, C-Max minivan and Transit Connect. The start-stop technology will also be seen on the new concept vehicle, which
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91z4me - 12/27/2010 5:00:05 PM

0 Boost

Cool technology that Europe has had for some time (BMW was the 1st I believe). If GM had been smart with their mild hybrid/BAS hybrid/Greenline Saturn marketing they would have called the system a start stop (since that is essentially what the product did) instead of a hybrid (which it was not).

dbtk - 12/27/2010 7:01:33 PM

0 Boost

I just picked up my 2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo which has it. A bit eerie at first but you quickly grow accustomed to what appears to be your car stalling at each light.

nguyenvuminh - 12/27/2010 8:46:38 PM

0 Boost

There's a similar article on this same topic from MotorAuthority.com - "...Europe is already knee-deep in start-stop technology, but we Yanks haven't been invited to that party yet. Why? Because of differences in the way the U.S. tests fuel economy, for the most part. Without a real numbers difference to sell the feature, it's hard to justify the added cost...". This is good example/indicator of Ford's willingness to take risk and introduce product/technology with less emphasis on regulation-related or accounting-related reasoning.

gsfent - 12/30/2010 5:10:14 PM

+1 Boost

Honda has had it here since at least 2000 in its insight.