Ford US celebrates 100,000 hybrid SUVs
March 12, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Ford US today celebrated the production of its 100,000th hybrid SUV and says it is committed to increasing hybrid production over the coming year.
Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner hybrid models were first launched five years ago and still remain the most fuel efficient SUVs on the US market.
Ford will also introduce the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrid medium sedan models next year.
“As we celebrate our 100,000th hybrid, America’s interest in hybrid vehicles keeps growing, as does Ford’s commitment to advanced powertrain technologies that deliver greater fuel economy, lower emissions and help enhance our country’s energy security,” said Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford. “No domestic automaker has more real-world experience with hybrid vehicle technology than Ford, and it shows in the quality and fuel economy of our vehicles.”
“All of us at the plant feel tremendous pride as we celebrate this important milestone,” said Ken Ward, Kansas City plant manager. “We are as enthusiastic about building the 100,000th vehicle today as we were at the initial launch.”
The Kansas City Assembly Plant, which employs 4,100 people, has been the hub for Ford’s hybrid SUV production since late 2004 when the first Ford Escape Hybrid rolled off the line.
No tags for this post.
Why the hell don’t we get these?
^^ Clash with the Territory. My guess is that Ford Australia will want to get the hybrid drivetrain for the next gen Territory.
Tim, isn’t the US Escape essentially the same as the Escape already sold in Aus?
Aleks, my guess would be the economics of the deal. It’s probably no coincidence that Ford don’t import anything from the US.
That’s pretty much it Brett. The Escape in the US differs to the Taiwan built one we get here in several areas. But hey I wished we had’ve gotten that face rather than our current one. The part of this particular vehicles story I like is that they put it into the Taxi fleet first to test it’s durability! Whilst people joke about Fords and taxi’s, you gotta admit that it is one hell of a way to do real life testing.
Tim,
i would suggest you are on the money in the next gen Terry getting the hybrid drivetrain.
Ive never really gotten into what fuel consumption these SUVs get.
any ideas???
My guess for a Territory sized 4WD with a Hybrid drivetrain…about 8-10L/100km
Frontman, you are right about the frontal styling of the Escape sold in the US and Canada. I saw a lot of them when I was on holiday in Canada last year and they are a huge improvement on what we get here.