Ford's New Hybrid

[Yankee Fan 1]

This new model, by Ford, is pretty intriguing. And, at 41 mph it is pretty dang good timing, too. Better mileage than the civic hybrid.

Pretty impressive.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2008-1...efficient_N.htm

[Captain Worley 0]

The funny thing is the hybrids that really sell will look different from the mainstream cars. The Prius sells rings around the Camry, Accord, Civic, Escape, and malibu hybrids. i expect the next gen Prius and Honda Insight to do the same. The look...well, like the public expects a hybrid to look. Newsweek had an article about this a while ago. basically, market research indicated people who bought hybrids wanted everyone to know they were driving a hybrid vehicle.

I'm not expecting a lot from the Fusion Hybrid, saleswise.

[dimebag1980 17]

I love the design of the Fusion.

About 2-3 weeks ago I was in Dallas for the Dallas Children's Parade, and someone (I can't remember who) rolled up in a limousine version of the Fusion. That was the first time I ever saw that car, and quite honestly the limousine version was impressive. But looking at the regular version, I like it. The styling reminds me of the new Honda Accord design, of which I am quite fond.

[monsoon 0]

I honestly don't know why Ford doesn't bring cars like this into the USA that get 63mpg. It is not a science experiment and the economy beats the pants off any hybrid. Toyota has admitted this week that it has never made any money off the Prius and I believe they may have canceled their plans to build a Prius plant in the USA.

[suburban george3 1]

I honestly don't know why Ford doesn't bring cars like this into the USA that get 63mpg. It is not a science experiment and the economy beats the pants off any hybrid. Toyota has admitted this week that it has never made any money off the Prius and I believe they may have canceled their plans to build a Prius plant in the USA.

[cloudship 7]

Beyond the fact that diesel costs much more over here, regulations make it much more difficult to bring a diesel to the US market. A lot of people would probably not be willing to put the time or money into working with a diesel anyways. Of course, the Fiesta is a small car - remember the Aspire? It is about that size. So you are going to be competing against cars like the Chevy Aveo.

There are more Hybrids out there than you think. The thing is, if it doesn't look different, you don't really know it is a hybrid.

[monsoon 0]

Beyond the fact that diesel costs much more over here, regulations make it much more difficult to bring a diesel to the US market. A lot of people would probably not be willing to put the time or money into working with a diesel anyways. Of course, the Fiesta is a small car - remember the Aspire? It is about that size. So you are going to be competing against cars like the Chevy Aveo.

[cloudship 7]

From a relative standpoint, however, Diesel in the US is usually much more expensive compared to gasoline than the spread is in Europe. However, there is a lot more cost in maintaining a diesel engine than in a gasoline engine. That maintenance does pay off in the long run - diesels will last a lot longer. But they are more difficult to work with and need more consistent maintenance schedules. You also have weather and starting issues with Diesels. Supposedly new models have made this less of an issue, but in many parts of the country we experience more extreme temperatures, and Diesels do require a little more attention if you want them to function properly. While Diesel has lower CO2 emissions, they are not so great on other emissions. There is also the noise issue.

Now, many of these factors have been tamed by technology. Low sulfur diesel has significantly improved emissions, electronics make starting and performance less of an issue. Diesels intrinsically have more torque, which is great for get the car moving. And design has managed to cut down on noise issues.

Diesels aren't necessarily bad. Personally, other than the smell and pollution issues, I kind of like them. But I would not buy one because I know I would not keep it up the way it should be. That doesn't mean no one else shouldn't biuy one, and I certainly do think they should be offered in the US. I just wonder if enough demand would be there to make it feasible for a company to offer them here.

[monsoon 0]

However, there is a lot more cost in maintaining a diesel engine than in a gasoline engine. ...

[suydam 1]

Fusion Hybrid also beats Camry Hybrid by 8mpg... that's their target market (not the Civic which is in the same class as the Ford Focus).

I think the Fusion has some serious potential, but I agree that the diesel Fiesta would really rock over here in the US. I thought I read there were plans to release Fiesta here? Maybe not the diesel version.

[Southron 14]

I thought I read there were plans to release Fiesta here? Maybe not the diesel version.

[uncus 30]

I honestly don't know why Ford doesn't bring cars like this into the USA that get 63mpg. It is not a science experiment and the economy beats the pants off any hybrid. Toyota has admitted this week that it has never made any money off the Prius and I believe they may have canceled their plans to build a Prius plant in the USA.

[vompy 0]

the title is almost an oxymoron, but that's just my bias foreign loving car self. We'll see how this goes though. Definitely worth giving a try.

[monsoon 0]

When Ford's executive VP, Mark Fields, came on MSNBC yesterday to talk about the Ford Fusion hybrid, it all sounded good until he was asked this question....

Where is this car built?

Answer: Mexico

----------------------

So much for waving the American flag over the Ford Fusion hybrid. When asked what is it that Ford saw about building this vehicle in Mexico over the United States, we got back a bunch of corporate BS that said everything but the real reason the cars are placed down there. Pat Buchanan said it right. "You want the American consumer but you don't want the American worker. The Ford guy didn't really have an answer for that.

I guess it is something that Ford has not yet asked for a bailout. However I don't see any difference in purchasing cars from them or from Toyota. At least Toyota builds its cars in the USA.

[suburban george3 1]

At least Toyota builds its cars in the USA.

[monsoon 0]

.....

most popular foreign car lines, even if they are 'assembled' in the US are using mainly foreign sourced components.

[suburban george3 1]

There are a dozen plants around here making sub-assemblies for Toyota, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes, etc. I am not so sure I agree with that statement.

[monsoon 0]

^Well.... you just disproved what you originally said.

"most popular foreign car lines, even if they are 'assembled' in the US are using mainly foreign sourced components.'

Apparently this isn't the case given what you just posted above. However, now that we have that settled and back to the point at hand, it's irrelevant to the fact that Ford is building the Fusion Hybrid in Mexico. Ford wants to drape the Fusion with the American flag yet they don't feel they can actually build the car in America. It's hypocritical, and as I said before, I would rather buy a foreign brand made in the USA than an American brand made in Mexico.

[cityboi 1257]

forget the hybrids. Ford's first full electric production model "The electric transit connect" will be in production in 2010 followed by a 5 passenger car in 2011 that will travel 120 miles per charge. These vehicles wont be cheap though ($50,000 - $70,000). Finally a major auto company will begin to break away from oil. Obama is really putting the pressure on for these car manufacturers to move quickly in this direction. Currently an oil company owns patents to a kind of lithium battery that would allow drivers to travel 400 plus miles per charge. Electric cars will be wide spread once batteries such as that are used.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,512423,00.html