More awards from the 2009 Chicago Auto Show; this time, IntellieChoice.com has recognized the Ford Escape Hybrid/Mercury Mariner Hybrid duo as the “Best Crossover/SUV Value under $28,000″. The award is given to vehicles that have a lower cost of ownership than other vehicles in the class. This was not a hybrid-specific award so the hybrid duo beat out non-hybrids in the same class.

“Sometimes the more expensive a vehicle is, the better the value, but in this particular case it’s like the perfect storm,” he explained. “The Ford Escape Hybrid and the Mercury Mariner Hybrid offer 95 percent of the space and quality of other hybrid SUVs but at a lower price point with a great, readily available dealer network and strong brand value.”

The 2009 Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner Hybrids are rated at 34mpg in the city and 31 on the highway for the FWD models and 29 mpg city/27 mpg highway for the four-wheel drive model.

Subscribe

2 Comments »

Filed Under: Ford, Ford Escape Hybrid

It is official, the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrids are eligible for the $3,400 tax credit. This is, of course, if Ford can rectify the battery shortage that they are dealing with and you are able to purchase one.

“Buyers of a new 2010 Fusion Hybrid or Mercury Milan Hybrid this year will qualify for the $3,400 tax credit, the highest credit amount ever offered for hybrids purchased or placed in service after December 31, 2005. The Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient SUVs in America, continue to qualify for a $3,000 tax credit, the highest available tax credit of all hybrids on the road today.” (Source: PR Newswire)

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid has celebrated success recently; the Environmental Protection Agency rated the car with a 41 miles per gallon city rating. This is eight miles per gallon higher than its competitor, the Toyota Camry Hybrid.

Subscribe

Add Comment »

Filed Under: Ford

Ford Motors enthusiastically announced that its newest hybrid, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, would come with an official EPA fuel efficiency rating of 41 mpg (city). This tops its competitor, the Toyota Camry Hybrid, by eight miles per gallon and exceeds Ford’s estimation by three miles per gallon.

The exciting fuel efficiency rating is being overshadowed now by an announcement about a battery shortage for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid.

In an online chat with employees last week, Ford Americas President Mark Fields said, “We are constrained by the amount of components, including batteries, that the supply base can provide us.” (Source: HybridCars)

That is a significant constraint in my opinion. You cannot meet your sales goals if you cannot supply this vehicle with its hybrid cattery system. Evidently, this is not the first time that a battery shortage has altered car manufacturers’ plans - the same thing happened in the summer of 2008 with the Ford Escape.

Subscribe

2 Comments »

Filed Under: Ford

The all-new Ford Fiesta, which came back into production this fall, was the top seller in the United Kingdom in November and was named as the Scottish Car of the Year. Ford’s commitment to green vehicles continues with the Fiesta with an ECOnetic model available; the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic was able to achieve a 76.3 mpg combined rating.

“The Fiesta ECOnetic becomes the most fuel efficient new five-seater family car in the UK. With CO2 emissions at under 100g/km, Ford Fiesta ECOnetic is zero rated both for road tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) and for the ’showroom tax’ element of VED introduced for the first year of ownership in this year’s Budget.” (Source: Ford Media)

The vehicle is currently only available in Europe but there will be expansion into China next year and North America in 2010. Plans are in place to begin production of the Ford Fiesta at the Cuautitlan Assembly Plant in Mexico in the early part of 2010.

Subscribe

1 Comment »

Filed Under: Europe, Ford

Ford has several years of hybrid vehicle production under its belt with the Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner Hybrid line. The company has plans for a hybrid version of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans for model year 2010. The company has recently announced its plans for the use of a SmartGauge with EcoGuide as part of the vehicle’s instrument cluster.

“SmartGauge with EcoGuide gives the customer real-world feedback to make the most of their hybrids,” said Gil Portalatin, Hybrid Applications Manager. “Unique to Ford and Mercury hybrid sedans, this instrument cluster acts as a good ‘coach,’ engaging drivers real-time to help them achieve maximum fuel economy.” (Source: Ford Media Site)

If a customer utilizes the SmartGauge as intended, they can expect to see increased fuel efficiency. While exact figures are not available, Ford is stating that the mpg ratings should be about 5mpg higher than those seen on the Toyota Camry Hybrid.

“Ford’s next-generation hybrid propulsion system builds upon the proven success of the Escape and Mariner hybrids, delivering class-leading fuel economy for the all-new 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids that debut later this year.” (Source: PR Newswire)

Subscribe

3 Comments »

Filed Under: Ford

Tychy, Poland was the location of the first new Ford Ka volume production vehicle, which rolled off of the assembly line earlier this week. The Ford Ka is not new to Europe having originally been manufactured in 1996. However, this new and completely redesigned Ford Ka is being met with much acclaim, as it is a result of cooperation between Ford and Fiat. Some of the parts used in the Ka are also used in the Fiat 500.

“The new Ka is unmistakably a Ford. It captures the same youthful and cheeky spirit of the model it replaces and retains all of the qualities which made the Ka so popular – its compact size, great looks, lively dynamics and fun personality – but presents them in a fresh new package.“ (Source: Ford Media Site)

Although the Ka is already being produced, consumers will have to wait until early 2009 before they will be able to purchase the vehicle. Ford has plans to produce 120,000 Ford Kas each year.

Subscribe

Add Comment »

Filed Under: Europe, Ford

Readers of The Green Motorist know that many of the world’s largest car manufacturer’s have made some exciting announcements about additions to their European lineup. From the Volvo models featuring the 1.6 DRIVe engines to the Ford Ka, car companies are gearing up for the Paris Motor Show with exciting debut announcements. Today, while reading autobloggreen, I saw an entry that alludes to the fact that Ford is likely going to be bringing some of its most popular European models stateside.

Blogger Xavier Navarro had this to say of the prospect, “Those cars most likely will be the new European Focus four-door, five-door and coupé-convertible; the new Fiesta (old new); and the C-Max minivan and Kuga crossover.”

Of the cars that Navarro listed, I am most excited about the prospect of the Ford Kuga being available here in the states. The Kuga debuted in Europe as a model year 2008 vehicle and was Ford’s first crossover available in Europe. In addition to a unique design and a Euro NCAP five-star safety rating for adults, the vehicle averages over 35 miles per gallon. In my opinion, this would be a great addition to Ford’s North American lineup.

Subscribe

Add Comment »

Filed Under: Europe, Ford