Photo credit: Ford Motor Company
While President George Bush was an oil man, he still wanted American automakers to build cleaner cars. That's why his administration created the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing loan program, or ATVM. In the fall of 2008 his administration put $25 billion into the hands of the Department of Energy to hand out to automakers to steer the industry toward making cleaner cars.
Bumps in the road
As it turned out just four automakers received loans totaling $8.3 billion. Of the four just two large automakers received loans with Nissan receiving $1.4 billion while Ford (F -1.51%) received a cool $5.9 billion. Both are not only repaying on schedule but are really making great strides to build more efficient vehicles. Where the loan project didn't work out quite as planned was with the other two loans. Electric vehicle maker Tesla (TSLA 1.23%) initially borrowed $465 million, but quickly repaid the loan. Meanwhile, Fisker received $528.7 million and then went bankrupt.
It's easy to see that history and call the loan program a failure. However, that isn't necessarily the case. Tesla was able to use the funds it borrowed to provide it with the liquidity to see its award-winning Model S launch and become a commercial success. The only reason the company paid off its loan nine years early was because a soaring stock price (thanks to the success of the Model S) enabled it to raise a billion dollars and pay back the loan. While there is a case to be made that it should have held on to the government's money, it's hard to fault Tesla for paying the loan back early. Meanwhile, Ford and Nissan have both used the funds to develop cleaner vehicles.
Photo credit: Tesla Motors Flickr page
Ford's transformation
Ford in particular has really transformed its business over the past few years to build a more fuel efficient fleet. It's using lighter weight materials like aluminum to cut the weight and improve the fuel efficiency of the next generation of its popular Ford F-150. Ford is also using renewable materials like wood fibers to replace fiberglass and cut weight in an effort to improve the fuel efficiency of the 2014 Lincoln MKX. That's just part of the story, as Ford is also focused on building the next generation of electric vehicles to compete directly with companies like Tesla.
For example, Ford C-Max Solar Energi Concept is a first-of-its-kind sun-powered vehicle. It delivers the best of a plug-in hybrid without relying on the electric grid for fuel. Instead of getting its juice from an electric outlet this car is powered by the sun. It uses a special concentrator that acts like a magnifying glass, which directs the intense rays to the solar panels on its roof. The end result is that a day's worth of sunlight can produce the same performance as its conventional C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid that needs to be plugged into the grid. So, not only will the C-Max Solar Energy Concept get an estimated combined 100 MPGe, but it will reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by four metric tons per car is its energy is completely green.
Photo credit: Ford Motor Company
Last year Ford was the second largest seller of hybrid cars in America behind Toyota (TM -3.39%). With new innovations like the C-Max Solar Energi Concept Ford can continue in its drive to become America's top green automaker. It's a feat that might not have been possible if it wasn't for the $5.9 billion it borrowed from the Department of Energy.
Investor takeaway
Ford is quickly becoming a top green automaker. It's making great strides and could potentially be the first automaker to deliver a mass-market car that's a completely energy self-sufficient vehicle. That move could allow it to beat Tesla at its own game and richly reward investors in the process.
