Ford Motor Co. president and CEO Alan Mulally outlined the auto builder's strategies for developing fuel-efficient designs in an address to the Los Angeles Auto Show last week. The statement came together with the news that Ford's unionized workers had accepted a new four-year labor agreement that sets up future workforce downsizing and eliminates some future benefits obligations. The combined impact may be to renew confidence in the "sustainability" of Ford as an enterprise. The details of Mulally's presentation may be seen as an effort by the company to address customers' and investors' concerns as U.S. gasoline prices continue a steady climb and new vehicle sales continue to lag Ford's domestic and imported competition. "Ford is committed to offering customers affordable, environmentally friendly technologies in vehicles they really want," Mulally assured.