Dearborn's 2006 Model Year Vehicles Should Improve Efficiencies Even Further
Midway through this month, on Tuesday, October 18, 2005, Ford Motor Company announced in its annual report that its 2005 model
year cars, vans, crossovers, SUVs and trucks were now as fuel efficient as its model year 2000 lineup, a result no doubt helped along by the introduction of more light duty vehicles, such as the Five Hundred sedan and Freestyle crossover, both extremely thrifty compared to others in their market segments, as well as the new Escape Hybrid, the first model to receive Ford's full-hybrid treatment.
Ford, no doubt answering to environmentalists who have often come out criticizing the Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker for its number of V8-powered light trucks and heavy SUVs, such as the full-size Ford F-150 pickup truck and XXXL Excursion sport utility vehicle, is now able to project
an average fuel economy rating of 9.8 L/100 km (23.9 mpg), better than the previous model year by 4.8 percent. Model year 2004 was the worst, from an environmental standpoint, in recent memory, with the blue oval brand dipping to an average of 10.3 L/100 km (22.8 mpg), while model year 2003 was marginally better at 9.8 L/100 km (23.9 mpg).
How should Ford fare in 2006? It only makes sense that consumption should continue to drop, being that its new Fusion is more efficient than its Five Hundred, which has helped the automaker improve its 2005 standing. Other models, including the Mercury Mariner Hybrid and Lincoln Zephyr, should enhance the automaker's position further, while additional hybrids, the next expected to be applied to the Fusion sedan, may just give Ford "friends of the environment" status.
Midway through this month, on Tuesday, October 18, 2005, Ford Motor Company announced in its annual report that its 2005 model
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| Ford's annual report says that its 2005 model year vehicles were as fuel efficient as its model year 2,000 lineup, a result no doubt helped by the introduction of its new Freestyle crossover. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Ford, no doubt answering to environmentalists who have often come out criticizing the Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker for its number of V8-powered light trucks and heavy SUVs, such as the full-size Ford F-150 pickup truck and XXXL Excursion sport utility vehicle, is now able to project
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| Ford, no doubt answering to environmentalist criticism for its many V8-powered vehicles, such as the full-size F-150 pickup and XXXL Excursion SUV, shown here in XLT limousine guise, is now able to project an average fuel economy rating of 9.8 L/100 km (23.9 mpg). (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
How should Ford fare in 2006? It only makes sense that consumption should continue to drop, being that its new Fusion is more efficient than its Five Hundred, which has helped the automaker improve its 2005 standing. Other models, including the Mercury Mariner Hybrid and Lincoln Zephyr, should enhance the automaker's position further, while additional hybrids, the next expected to be applied to the Fusion sedan, may just give Ford "friends of the environment" status.