Ford's Hybrid Escape info

[monkeylizard]

Hybrid Hullabaloo
Forget about trying to decide who was first. Ford’s Escape is not only America’s first entry in the hybrid race, it’s the first full-hybrid SUV. By Christopher A. Sawyer, Executive Editor





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Despite all of the talk about how Ford’s full hybrid system is licensed from Toyota, Ford insists its design draws on fewer than 30 of the 370 patents Toyota has on its hybrid drive. And those licensing agreements were made to make sure no toes were stepped on–and no ugly headlines about how Ford “stole” Toyota technology were generated. Says one Ford insider involved in the project: “It was easier to pay to have access to a few of the Toyota patents than to have to defend ourselves in the media–or in court.” Oddly, this has caused some critics to claim that Ford’s system is a Toyota design, despite Ford having developed much of its hybrid drive in-house. It’s all very confusing, and has fed a small industry focused on determining who is leading this race and who is following. It’s all very silly.

Full Story:

http://www.autofieldguide.com/articles/070402.html