Ford Plans Multiple Models with Hybrid Drivetrains
With more reported buyers for gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles than Toyota and Honda can currently cope with, Ford is walking into an enviable market as the third automaker in the race for green customers. What's more, the world's number two car company will be giving North Americans exactly what they want, a clean, fuel efficient SUV.
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| After witnessing the success that Toyota and Honda have been enjoying recently with their hybrid vehicles, Ford will be joining the market next year with a clean, fuel efficient hybrid SUV. (Photo: Ford Motor Company) |
The Escape Hybrid is based on Ford's compact gasoline powered sport utility vehicle, a proven favorite among youth oriented car buyers. It will offer all the convenience of a compact SUV, including flexible seating from two to five adults, as well as ample cargo capacity, plus the rugged, go-anywhere exterior design that has become so popular over the last decade.
Ford Motor also will become the first domestic producer to offer the environmentally friendly technology, targeting 10,000 to 20,000 per year, according to an announcement made on Thursday.
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| Ford Motors will become the first domestic producer to offer the environmentally friendly technology, with its Ford Escape hybrid. (Photo: Ford Motor Company) |
As of yet no prices have been announced, but fuel savings nearing 5.8 L/100 km (40 mpg) in the city should cause buyers to be willing to spend more immediately to save in the long run.
With analysts and shareholders concerned about Ford Motor's profitability, and the potential for the hybrid project to drain the company financially in the name of improving the automaker's overall image and capturing marketshare, a Ford spokesman stated that the new Escape Hybrid would be profitable, with the full cost of development shouldered by Escape buyers.
While this news will be good for the bottom line, a final date of production will be music to the ears of environmentalists, who have petitioned the domestic Big 3 to push forward with greener technologies such as gasoline-electric hybrid systems.