Ford reached a major milestone earlier this week as its Kansas City production plant built its 100,000th hybrid SUV. The Kansas City plant began building the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid five years ago. Despite their age, both models still hold the title for most fuel-efficient SUVs on the market, posting a 32 mpg combined average in front-wheel drive guise.
Ford chairman Bill Ford says the milestone will be just the first of many for the Blue Oval. “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. “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.â€
Ford ’s hybrid operations will also soon be getting a boost from AT&T. The telecommunications firm announced on Wednesday that it will be purchasing $565 million worth of hybrids and natural gas-powered vehicles from Ford over the next 10 years. AT&T says the commitment is not only to reduce its environmental impact but to also jump-start the U.S. economy.
“While there are no easy solutions to the challenges facing our nation, this investment is a first step on our part to help boost other industries while at the same time encouraging wider use and production of efficient vehicles and domestic fuel alternatives,†AT&T Chief Executive Randall Stephenson told the Detroit Free Press. The move is expected to save or create about 1,000 U.S. jobs.
