Faurecia (www.FaureciaLAAutoShow.com) — a world-leading tier one automotive supplier that partners with customers to design, engineer and manufacture major innovations for the next generation of vehicles — today announced its contributions as a supplier to the 2011 Ford Fiesta. Officially debuting in the North America market at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, the Fiesta is the first of Ford Motor Company’s new global family of small cars designed to meet the expectations of drivers internationally.
Faurecia’s contributions to the Fiesta demonstrate the automotive supplier’s capability to bring an added level of luxury to smaller-segment vehicles on a global scale. The company’s vehicle Interiors team worked hand-in-hand with Ford to design and develop the instrument panel (IP), center console and door panels for the new Fiesta. The program will be supported by Faurecia’s Puebla, Mexico, production facility.
For the IP, Faurecia applies a number of technologies that enhance the perceived quality for the end consumer and create an IP that is pleasing to the eye and touch. At the same time, the IP skin is resistant to UV rays and ageing. Foam is applied to areas touched by the driver and passengers, consuming less material and contributing directly to a reduction in the vehicle’s overall weight. Additional features of the interior work include an invisible passenger-side airbag cover, as well as ambient lighting on the IP and center console. The driver and passengers can change the color of the lighting to suit their style or mood.
The front door panels of the Fiesta are also produced by Faurecia, and play a role in comfort. Faurecia integrates energy absorbers into the dual-tone panels, as well as a central section made of plastic upholstered in fabric or vinyl.
“We take great pride in bringing engineering expertise to our customers, providing them with products that are rich in quality and design,” said Mike Heneka, president of Faurecia North America. “Contributing to a global vehicle like the Ford Fiesta further emphasizes Faurecia’s excellence in design innovation. Our international breadth and experience allow us to implement and execute ideas on a global scale quickly and meet the needs of our local communities.
“Consumers will be pleased with a number of features not typically found in this segment,” Heneka said. “We are looking forward to delivering Faurecia products to the highly anticipated Ford Fiesta.”
Faurecia’s contract with Ford is one of the latest in a series of recent program wins for the company in North America, where Faurecia continues to diversify and expand its customer base. Faurecia is a member of Ford’s Aligned Business Framework (ABF), the automaker’s network of key suppliers. Visit the Faurecia booth at the LA Auto Show (South Hall, Upper Level Lobby of the Los Angeles Convention Center) to get a firsthand look at the Ford Fiesta IP and other Faurecia products, including Faurecia’s next-generation Clean innovations.
About Faurecia (http://www.faurecia.com/)
Faurecia North America had sales of $2.6 billion in 2008. The Group has 27 sites in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and employs more than 6,000 people in the region. It has four technical and development centers, situated in Auburn Hills, Holland and Troy, Mich., and Toledo, Ohio.
Faurecia is one of the world’s leading automotive equipment suppliers, specializing in four major activities: seats, vehicle interiors, front ends and emissions control technologies. In 2008, the Group posted sales of $17.6 billion. It has operations in 29 countries at 190 sites and 28 R&D centers. Faurecia is listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris stock exchange. For more information visit: www.faurecia.com.
Volkswagen Aligns with Model Fuels Consortium-II
