Ford plans big hybrid push

[notacarguy]

Automaker will offer gas-electric engines in half of Mercury, Lincoln and Ford models by end of decade.

By Christine Tierney / The Detroit News

Ford Motor Co. plans to offer hybrid versions of half the models in its Ford, Mercury and Lincoln brand lineups by the end of the decade as part of a bold strategy to distinguish itself as a leader in safety and environmental innovation.

CEO Bill Ford Jr. is scheduled to outline the strategy today in Dearborn at the Ford Scientific Research Laboratory, which will be renamed to reflect the company's emphasis on innovation, two industry sources told The Detroit News.


The first Detroit carmaker to produce a gas-electric vehicle, Ford plans to ramp up production of hybrids from several thousand in '05 to 250,000 by 2010, the sources said.

Ford also plans to step up development of vehicles running on alternative sources of energy, such as ethanol, and hydrogen-powered fuel-cell cars in a bid to recapture the high ground from leading Japanese automakers Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co.



Source: http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosins...A01-322174.htm

[GM_Fanatic]

I don't mean this to be critical about Ford but isn't Toyota planning on having a full hybrid linup by the end of the decade?

[tgagneguam]

I find this curious, as others have made similar plans (or even more aggressive ones). Perhaps Ford could take leadership in alternative fuel-powered vehicles, but I think hybrids will always be viewed as a Toyota thing, even if everyone else offers one.

Ford also plans to step up development of vehicles running on alternative sources of energy, such as ethanol, and hydrogen-powered fuel-cell cars in a bid to recapture the high ground from leading Japanese automakers Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co.

Is this more spin? I thought another article suggested that Hyundai was ahead of the much vaunted Toyota in fuel cell development. If so, why is Toyota [again] getting credit for a dubious accomplishment?

[MelvinJ]

Originally Posted by GM_Fanatic

I don't mean this to be critical about Ford but isn't Toyota planning on having a full hybrid linup by the end of the decade?

Yes, but as far as I can tell, they are the only ones.

[asim]

Keywords: Public Image.

[GMFreak8]

GM needs to do this, if just for the postive PR they can generate and a better public image/perception. GM needs to offer full hybrids in at least their most popular passenger cars and all of their SUVs, not some Mild Hybrid either, the full two mode hybrid system. They need to advertise that the two mode system is superior in performance to the one mode systems being offered by toyota too. Why is GM so relunctant to do this? Even Ford is saying they will offer them in at least half their lineup. GM seems to be ignoring the fact that hybrids generate good PR, and they make the company look better. Hybrids IMO aren't worth the extra cost, but they are worth it to a company if it means a better reputation, and increased sales. GM needs to be more agressive with implementing hybrid technology, the hybrid technology that doesn't make the company come off as a penny pincher (BAS system).

[FoMoCo Fan]

Originally Posted by GMFreak8

GM needs to do this, if just for the postive PR they can generate and a better public image/perception. GM needs to offer full hybrids in at least their most popular passenger cars and all of their SUVs, not some Mild Hybrid either, the full two mode hybrid system. They need to advertise that the two mode system is superior in performance to the one mode systems being offered by toyota too. Why is GM so relunctant to do this? Even Ford is saying they will offer them in at least half their lineup. GM seems to be ignoring the fact that hybrids generate good PR, and they make the company look better. Hybrids IMO aren't worth the extra cost, but they are worth it to a company if it means a better reputation, and increased sales. GM needs to be more agressive with implementing hybrid technology, the hybrid technology that doesn't make the company come off as a penny pincher (BAS system).

I could not agree more. Somehow many supposed GM fans can't grasp the points you make, which are really just looking out of GMs best interest in the long run.

[chadbarb99]

They'll be recalled every other week like every other Ford.

[redimpss5]

We need more hybrids! That way I can pay 7 bucks for gas.

[ChevroletRevived]

Hybrids currently are mostly hype...with no significant real world advantages. For Hybrids to be really effective they need to be able to go much faster...like around 45 or 50 mph. That's a good speed, and at around 50, the gas engine gets working faster and is much more efficient. Most people go about 45/50 around town, and that is where the major savings would be. With this in mind, GM needs to make only a few hybrids....I'm saying a limited amount because if they are not profitable, the more they have the more they lose. having only a few would get the good PR, but not all of the losses that a full or half hybrid lineup would incurr. Ford doesn't know what it's getting into with the hybrids...they should be careful..theirs alot of responsibility and cost involved. And the more Toyota has hybrids, while getting better PR, if they still aren't profitable, it will be better for GM because Toyota will be digging it's own grave. But lets not tell Toyota that...

[2b2]

Quote:
Originally Posted by tgagneguam
I find this curious, as others have made similar plans (or even more aggressive ones). Perhaps Ford could take leadership in alternative fuel-powered vehicles, but I think hybrids will always be viewed as a Toyota thing, even if everyone else offers one.
-
Some of us will remember the EV-1


"Is this more spin? "
-
With Thugota do you even need to ask?

[plane]

Hypebrids! Hypebrids! Hypebrids!
I NEED a Hypebrid!
I GOTTA have a Hypebrid!
I'll never make the money back but I'll sure feel good!
Fuel Cell cars? Only for stupid North Americans!
High Efficiency Diesels? - Only for North American Losers!
Direct Injection, Six Speed Tranny, and DOD - Only for Rednecks!
(chorus)
Hypebrids! Hypebrids! Hypebrids!

[TiburonJT]

Originally Posted by chadbarb99

They'll be recalled every other week like every other Ford.

You should check the recall history on many of the new Fords.

[paul3230]

Good for them.

[DanCBJMS1988]

I read about this already in the Boston Metro. I think that Ford is somewhat going in the right direction, but with hybrids getting worse off fuel economy than petrol models, I'd say to Ford to bring the TDCi diesel engines here and start promoting the use of either, diesel, cooking oil, alcohol (as is the case in Brazil), hydrogen, or a combo of all four.