Comments on: President Obama plugs Ford’s Escape Hybrid

By: jayjc08

jayjc08 — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:43:41 +0000

NO. Ford only uses Toyota patented systems because the system they were developing was nearly identical. You can read that almost anywhere, including on Toyota’s website. In truth Ford did borrow about 5% of their overall hybrid design from Toyota once they learned they couldn’t patent their own due to it being nearly identical, and NO they did not disassemble a Toyota system and copy it. So in turn, they’re nearly the same aside from programming, the powertrains used and a few minor parts.

By: gizmo2

gizmo2 — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:54:44 +0000

Borat yes that’s true but they are not big on new clean diesel technology “Common Rail Diesel tech” The European rule in that arena. The 1.3 was developed as a joint venture. Remember Ford Europe is big on diesel tech, Even though I would agree that VW rule in that arena.

By: Dwide Schrude

Dwide Schrude — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:45:51 +0000

Better than a parent who lies to thier children.

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:37:49 +0000

Inappropriate comment — kinda like a parent disclosing who his favorite child is.

By: Borat

Borat — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:29:11 +0000

gizmo, Toyota’s 1.6L diesel power Mini. FIAT’s 1.3L diesel power Ford. What Toyota could learn from Ford about diesel? They’ve been building diesels for Asian, African and European markets since 50′s.

By: gizmo2

gizmo2 — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:48:36 +0000

Ford did licence aspects of Toyota Hybrid system, but it was in exchange for Toyota tapping into Ford’s diesel technology – check Wikipedia. However Fords new hybrid in the Fusion uses different software system developed by Ford. The mechanics may still look the same but way different. Toyota would love that technology to compete with their Camry.

By: Borat

Borat — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:44:13 +0000

Just a though on presidency, beatusmongous

By: beatusmongous

beatusmongous — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:41:15 +0000

@ Borat, that was classic.

By: yarddog82abn

yarddog82abn — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:56:17 +0000

Regardless of the fact of what part of Ford’s hybrid technologies came from the Toy. Still the fact is that President Obama supports the Detroit 3, he may have been bias to Ford, but can you balm him?

Ford is the only one of the Detroit 3 to be standing on it’s own 2 feet….

By: Eudaemonic

Eudaemonic — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:26:56 +0000

“Ford CEO Alana Mulally was happy to hear…” That’s how he managed to keep Ford form drowning: black wig, leather skirt and heels, on a street corner in Detroit.

By: MikLawry

MikLawry — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:14:12 +0000

@Jdasch1
Thx for the info, I didn’t realize that there were a number of hybrid tyechnologies and patents that Ford was implementing into their hybrid system. I guess we do learn something new everyday

By: Borat

Borat — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:52:14 +0000

I thought that this presidents plugs the first lady occasionally.

By: Bankruptcy2009

Bankruptcy2009 — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:47:18 +0000

I did’nt vote for him but I am glad he bought as Escape Hybrid to at least set at an example for being environmentally responsible. And I would almost like to see the Executive Limo he’s driven in be a Hybrid too!

By: Honda Guy

Honda Guy — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:37:23 +0000

I still wouldn’t vote for him…
Nor would I buy a Ford.

Give me Ron Paul and his 1976 Chevette over this trillion dollar mistake.

By: MercMark

MercMark — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:51:21 +0000

Ford just licensed the toy-ota hybrid software because it was cheaper than developing their own and then having the toy-ota lawyers start up the litigation machine.

By: jdasch1

jdasch1 — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:34:27 +0000

MikLawry- And your not entirely correct. Ford is using one of many patented PROCESSES from Toyota. Some of the engine/tranny/electrical patents are from Volvo (they now own, but got when they bought Volvo) and their own patented processes. Its a good thing for Toyota, because it opens up the “patent trading” window for them with Ford. This is good because when Ford comes up with something great, they have the most patents, Toyota can get some for their own use. Just because Toyota builds a great hybrid, doesn’t mean everybody that wants them (a hybrid) will buy a Toyota…they want a Hybrid, and a Ford Escape Hybrid is a different package that they can turn to. But saying that the Escape hybrid would not exist or really is a Toyota without Toyota’s system is a stretch. There is no ONE “Hybrid patent” .

By: MikLawry

MikLawry — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:14:08 +0000

I am new here, but I have to say that Jake66 is correct, Ford licensed Toyota’s Hybrid patent to develop their own. I have attached a link below. Sorry Ford fans, I just want to put the facts out there.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB107880303676250060.html

Oh yea, I am an US automaker fan.

By: CADDY-V

CADDY-V — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:27:05 +0000

mayer:
That video was funny. So great cars too. I guess we will see in a few years if it all works out.

By: jayjc08

jayjc08 — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:12:27 +0000

So… it’s alright if celebrities endorse the Prius without mention of “other hybrids”, but he can’t mention just Ford?

JakeK66- I’ve said this atleast a hundred times on LLN. Ford’s system is NOT based off of Toyota’s. NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT,NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, based of Toyota’s.

That’s it!

By: Dr. Lincoln

Dr. Lincoln — Tue, 19 May 2009 23:46:54 +0000

Have you driven a Ford Lately? Obviously Mr. Obama has…An American President should say good things about American products, made by Americans, with American money, Man, Henry Ford would be proud, I am and you should be too. Hey, JakeK66 the hybrid system in those Asian cars is based on Americam locomotives, made in America, by Americans. I love this country.

By: Bubs Solo

Bubs Solo — Tue, 19 May 2009 22:47:47 +0000

JakeK66

You are so wrong. Please wiki the subject.

By: JakeK66

JakeK66 — Tue, 19 May 2009 22:20:04 +0000

Too bad the hybrid system in the Escape is from Toyota :S

By: mayer_ray_nagin

mayer_ray_nagin — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:34:27 +0000

If you have flash installed and want a laugh about Chrysler and Fiat, check out this link.

http://www.minyanville.com/mvtv/player/MVTV.1.10.swf?vid=703

By: DenverGuy217

DenverGuy217 — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:31:59 +0000

Me thinks the Obamas own some Ford stock….

By: shane train

shane train — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:12:38 +0000

mayer_ray_nagin- I don’t understand like 90% of that, mostly whoever His Highness is and what his Dictatorial KKKomandments are.

But yeah. Believe it or not, I think he should give a testimonial to what he likes.

By: mayer_ray_nagin

mayer_ray_nagin — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:06:01 +0000

Obama’s right that Ford, which is not owned by feds and their UAW lapdogs (or vice versa) and not subject to His Highness’s Dictatorial KKKomandments, will produce a better product.

As such Shane is right for once. Hard to believe.

By: TomF

TomF — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:05:16 +0000

He should “shell out free adveritising” for Chrysler and GM because unless the public stops perceiving them as sick, dying or dead pups, the goverment loses its ante and we all eat it. Like it or not, the prez is in the metal-movin’ business.

By: DrFill

DrFill — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:03:15 +0000

He was right to endorse, and right to not want to show favoritism, and hurt other hybrids in the process
The Escape is fine, but you will definitely notice a loss in performance compared to comparable gas crossovers.
It trades performance for gas pretty clearly
DrFill

By: shane train

shane train — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:50:52 +0000

No. He should endorse the way he did. With a personal experience testimonial. Why should he mention other hybrids beside the one he has chosen to put in his own driveway?

And Ford deserves it too, for actually practicing capitalism successfully and taking care of themselves. Why should he praise Chrysler and GM who have consumed so much bailout money? Why should he shell out free advertising?

He’s not Billy Mays, he’s the President. He’s not an advertiser. It shouldn’t be expected. Ford should be grateful. The others shouldn’t be upset.