Ford builds 100,000th hybrid SUV, receives $565m pledge from AT&T
03/11/2009, 12:10 PM
By Drew Johnson
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.”
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.
03/11, 12:58 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
Another sign that Ford knows what it is doing. The Escape/Mariner may not be the youngest or prettiest belles at the mini-SUV ball anymore… but they are rugged and can get the job done while providing excellent fuel economy… a real bargain. We need more vehicles like this.
03/11, 1:20 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Congrats Ford. Meanwhile over at GM they’re lucky the phones haven’t been cut off.
03/11, 1:27 PM
posted by:
2morrowdesign
Way to go Ford !
03/11, 1:47 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
I used to be a gm guy before the economy went belly up, but it took all of this to happen to see which company was really better! GO FORD!!! Thats a good chunk of change from att too… I’m about to get the iphone so that makes me even more happy! My dad is all over the ne taurus SHO, he’s been looking for a sedan in that horspower range and the new taurus amazed him at the auto show….and that awesome robot they had!
GO FORD!!!!!!!!
03/11, 2:37 PM
posted by:
uruyorker
I was looking for any comment from need more oil for Gm. Maybe he lost his fingers and can’t type anything here, I used to call envy his “silence”.
Some magazines have reported the Fusion Hybrid better than Toyota (ugly) Camry Hybrid. Is the Malibu Mild Hybrid even close?.Go Ford!!!!!!!!
03/11, 2:45 PM
posted by:
Borat
Lets not forget that technology part was licensed from Toyota. I do believe that GM/Chrysler/BMW did develop much more superior technology with their hybrid transmission.
03/11, 3:10 PM
posted by:
uruyorker
Well, as magazines report, this technology is completely developed in Dearborn, Toyota and Ford have an agreement to don’t go aganist the other patents, it is no technology share.
03/11, 3:31 PM
posted by:
veeride
Borat just doesnt like to say nice things about ford , nor most american car compaines….
The Escape/Mariner/Tribute triplets are not the young ones… but the sell well and work well. They are good for the money, and obviously get good gas mileage…..Hope the Kuga, or whatever they name it when it gets here will continue the trend, plus add much needed style! in an semi unrelated note, I say a new fiesta today in Dearborn while I was at lunch, 2 door 5-speed, Looked really nice and a few others stopped and looked too, some didnt believe it was a Ford! Go FORD!
03/11, 3:47 PM
posted by:
MasterYoda2005
Borat sorry to do this but you are actually wrong. Ford did not licence its hybrid tech from Toyota. “Ford DID NOT license its hybrid tech from Toyota. The hardware is entirely Dearborn-bred; Ford and Toyota have simply agreed not to step on each other’s patent toes” (St. Antoine March 09 Motor Trend pg 37). As soon as people get out & research for themselves instead of listening to their friends and the media they will realize that Americans build good cars that are just as good (if not better) than alot of the domestic offereings. People want to bitch and moan about the US economy–well go out and buy something and if youre in the US buy American where applicable.
03/11, 3:49 PM
posted by:
MasterYoda2005
foreign offerings**
03/11, 6:09 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
Cangrats to Ford.