Ford hybrids: Makes me wanna holler
How many Focus hybrids will Ford make?
The Ford Escape isn′t my favorite hybrid vehicle, but for those coveting a fuel efficient SUV, it doesn′t get any better than the Escape hybrid, at least for now. And, with gas prices at record highs, SUV drivers are more interested in fuel efficiency than ever. So, why are Escape hybrid sales down 9 percent compared to last year?
According to Ford the automaker will make its standard 24,000 hybrid vehicles this year - a combination of mostly Escape hybrids and a few Mercury Mariner hybrids. Thus, perhaps Ford is using some of its NiMH packs for the upcoming Focus hybrid. Whatever. What seems obvious is that whether it’s the Focus hybrid or the Escape hybrid, Ford’s hybrid vehicles are going nowhere fast.
Next year, Honda plans to sell well over 100,000 hybrid vehicles, an aggressive increase. And with Toyota’s third generation Prius due out next year, Prius sales are certain to skyrocket, as Toyota is planning a 60 percent increase in battery production.
At one time Ford was the one glimmer of hybrid hope amongst US automakers, now Ford just makes me wanna holler.
Original post by Dahcredyns