aBr May 2014 | Page 72

green news Ford’s First EcoBoost Dealership in South Africa Globally, Ford wants to be known for its quality, its safety, its green credentials and its smart approach. Smart as in clever, canny and cool. F ord’s product line-up definitely lives up to these aspirations, and when it comes to green, it is interesting to see that their much acclaimed EcoBoost engines are being given the thumbs up by South African motorists, with many opting for the models with these trail-blazing engines. Ford’s South African executives love that their brand is seen as green and smart, so they are taking this image further, and going downstream and introducing state-of-the-art green technologies in its dealerships. The Action Ford dealership in Krugersdorp recently became the first Ford facility in Africa to use a new indirect counter-flow evaporative cooling system for controlling the climate on the showroom floor. Known as the Climate Wizard, this Australian developed system draws in fresh air and cools the air by evaporating water, without adding to the moisture content in the air and thus avoiding the creation of a humid environment. It’s also possible for the dealership to leave doors and windows open without affecting the efficiency of the cooling system. With the indirect counter-flow evaporative cooling system in place as a standalone solution, energy cost savings of between 80% and 90% can be realised. It will take j ust ten years to recoup the costs of the system, and Ford is monitoring it closely to evaluate its performance to see if it will be viable for other dealerships. “These technologies help make running a dealership far more efficient,” says Hartogh Streicher, dealer principal at Action Ford Krugersdorp. “The indirect counter-flow evaporative cooling system is also better than a conventional air conditioning system when it comes to creating a pleasant environment for our customers.” Jeff Nemeth, president and CEO at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa says, “Today’s car buyers expect high levels of technology. Ford is committed to exceeding these expectations by introducing exciting and innovative new technological features across its product range. The global scale of Ford’s vehicle programmes makes additional technologies and features more economically viable for cars in South Africa. It’s our vision to have all Ford dealerships in South Africa implement energy-saving, environmentally-friendly measures. It reflects the values of Ford at a global level, and makes us more responsible global citizens.” ➲ The media were given a guided tour of the facility on 16 April. Proudly present were the honourable Dean Brown AO, representing Seeley International, the developers of the Climate Wizard; Jeff Nemeth, president and CEO at FMCSA; Hartogh Streicher, managing director, Action Ford Krugersdorp; Paul Vorster, chairman, Action Ford Krugersdorp; Mark Kaufman, vice president Marketing, Sales, & Service at FCMSA | words in action 70 may 2014