Bill Pierre Ford

In an employee meeting in Ford’s Scientific Research Laboratory, with hundreds of Ford scientists and engineers in attendance, Ford Chairman and CEO Bill Ford laid out his blueprint for the company’s future – focusing every aspect of the business on innovation as its core strategy going forward. Several initial actions to underscore the commitment to innovation were unveiled, including a global plan to produce 250,000 hybrid vehicles annually by 2010, a new corporate advertising campaign that will begin in the fall and increasing the number of Flexible Fuel Vehicles it produces to as many as 280,000 units.

“From this point forward, innovation will be the compass by which the company sets its direction,” Ford told . H0000e is 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.
Presently, Ford produces about 24,000 hybrid vehicles annually. Ford is the only American auto company to produce hybrids and was the first in the world to offer an SUV hybrid. That vehicle was the Ford Escape Hybrid, the cleanest, most fuel-efficient SUV on the road. The critically acclaimed Ford Escape Hybrid added to its growing list of recognitions and accolades the title of North American Truck of the Year at this year’s North American International Auto Show.

Shortly after receiving that award from a distinguished panel of 50 automotive journalists, Ford announced it would pull ahead to this year the production of its second hybrid, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid. Mercury began taking orders for the Mariner Hybrid.

By 2008, Ford will have five hybrids on the road, including the Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner, Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Mazda Tribute. By 2010, Ford plans to increase hybrid production to approximately 250,000 units annually – with more than half of the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineup having hybrid capability.

Ford’s Escape hybrid looks just like a standard Ford Escape.
Inside, the Escape hybrid also looks pretty much like a standard Escape as well – in form and function.

For example, shifting into drive and reverse in the hybrid Escape is just like shifting in a manual transmission Escape, unlike the Prius.

Shifting the Prius is a bit different than a standard manual transmission,  I had wondered how Ford would handle this issue.
And I think Ford made the right decision by not making the Escape hybrid seem too different. If you make the Escape hybrid seem difficult and confusing compared to the standard Escape, the hybrid technology might loose its luster.

I turned the Escape over and it sounded just like a standard car, at least for the first few minutes. Then the hybrid seemed to shut off, as it went into electric mode, utilizing only battery power. All of this my salesman pointed out, as it happened, on a miniconsule embedded in the middle of the dash.

This fully loaded hybrid SUV with leather seats also included a navigation system, 6 cd stereo, and BlueTooth capability for hands-free phone access.

At this point my salesman pulled out his cell phone charger. Not a car charger, the charger he uses at home and plugged it into the Escape. I could have just as easily plugged in my laptop, TV, or hairdryer.

Nice feature.

As I shifted into Drive and touched the gas, the gasoline engine instantly added to the power of the electric motor and we quickly zoomed onto the street.

While the Escape hybrid is only a V4, the hybrid powertrain provides the power of a V6 and the Escape moves well.

We quickly drove towards the freeway. The Escape was full of power and the idea of hybrid technology disappeared from thought, even after slowing and speeding in an effort to toy with advanced powertrain.

Nice ride.

A loaded Ford Escape hybrid acts almost exactly like the Ford Escape, it just does it much more efficiently.

If you are looking for a hybrid SUV, the Ford Escape Hybrid is a good choice.