SAE Notebook

As snow played havoc with Detroit roads, Ford Motor Co. executive Jeffrey Engel couldn't resist taking a shot at an anti-SUV activist during a presentation at Congress. “I wonder what Arianna Huffington would be driving?” says Engel, executive director-North American vehicle procurement. “I found my Lincoln SUV to come in very handy this morning.”

To test its hydrogen fuel-cell technology, Ford Motor Co. has five fuel-cell-powered Focus models in the hands of preferred customers — including some in government. Meanwhile, Sue Cischke, vice president-environmental and safety engineering, reveals 10 others are undergoing internal company tests.