Ford hybrids have already arrived in a showroom near you. That's no surprise since Ford has placed a high value on hybrid technology. The Ford hybrids that are currently available for purchase are the Ford Escape Hybrid SUV, which was named the North American Truck of the Year and the Mercury Mariner Hybrid SUV, which has been endorsed by the Sierra Club.
The Escape Hybrid is a smaller SUV, which boasts a Duratec 2.3L 4-cylinder Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine, matched up with a 70KW (equivalent to 94hp) permanent electric motor. There is also a 330-volt battery pack (located under the cargo floor). The Mercury Mariner Hybrid SUV shares the same hybrid power-train as the Escape Hybrid but is a little more upscale in its interior design and set of standard features such as a perimeter alarm system and tire pressure monitoring.
The other three Ford hybrids that will hit the showrooms within the next couple of years are the Ford Fusion Hybrid Car, Mercury Milan Hybrid Car and Mazda Tribute Hybrid SUV. Ford knows that hybrids are its future and by 2010 half of the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineups will be hybrids.
According to CEO, Bill Ford "From this point forward, innovation will be the compass by which the company sets its direction. Today, I am renewing the promise of Ford Motor Company - to again be first in delivering innovative products to our customers - stylish in design, safer for families, first in technology that uses new fuels and offers new services to consumers."
Besides hybrids, Ford is also committed to just going green as well. The 2006 Ford F-150 Truck offers flexible fuel technology running on both gasoline and ethanol. The next year, Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car also will offer the flexible fuel option. The Ford Focus is rated as a partial zero emission vehicle (PZEV) by the EPA, exceeding the strictest of emissions standards. In addition, Ford has also fitted a Focus with hydrogen fuel cell technology as Ford continues to go down the path of having a hydrogen car or vehicle in everyone's garage by 2015.
The first hybrid car to roll out in Ford's lineup will be the Fusion, slated to hit the showrooms in 2007 for the 2008 selling season. The current year 2006 Fusion is rated as a PZEV, so you can see how Ford has decided to go down the path to greener and greener vehicles. First, the PZEVs roll out, then the Ford hybrids and finally the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles hit the market. The 2008 Fusion will share the same hybrid power-train as the 2008 Mercury Milan when it rolls out a little later in the same year.
The Mazda Tribute Hybrid SUV will be going into production in 2006 and hit the showrooms late this same year or in 2007. Since Ford owns 33-percent of Mazda it is likely the Tribute will share many features of the Ford Escape Hybrid including the hybrid power-train.
Ford may be a little late to the hybrid game compared to its Japanese automaker counterparts, but it is definitely coming on strong with commitment and dedication to less dependence of foreign oil and a cleaner and greener environment. And this is a game in which everyone will benefit.
About the Author
Scully Samuelson writes for the Hybrid Vehicles website regarding cutting-edge automotive topics including the future direction of cars, trucks, SUVs, aircraft and watercraft.
