Tuesday, March 10th, 2009
Ford Celebrates Green Milestone as the 100,000th Hybrid SUV Rolls Off Line at Kansas City Plant
On March 10, Ford celebrated the production of its 100,000th hybrid SUV and reinforced its commitment to ramping up production of hybrid vehicles this year.
Ford launched the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner hybrids five years ago, and the vehicles remain the most fuel-efficient SUVs on the market. As Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant celebrated the hybrid milestone, Ford dealers are preparing to begin selling the all-new 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids, which will be America’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedans at 41 mpg city driving.
A Look Back at the Ford Escape Hybrid
- The Ford Escape Hybrid – the world’s first hybrid SUV – was introduced to the world in 2004.
- In 2005, the Ford Escape Hybrid became the first hybrid vehicle to be used as a taxi in the U.S. There currently are 1650 Escape Hybrid vehicles in service throughout the country.
- In 2008, a fleet of 45 customized Ford Escape Hybrids were put into use as rescue vehicles for the L.A. County Ocean Lifeguards along 72 miles of California coastline.
Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids Today
- The Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids are still giving customers what they want – a “no-compromise” sport utility vehicle that combines the fuel economy and emissions benefits of a “full” hybrid with the go-anywhere capability, toughness and spaciousness of a small SUV.
- Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com named the Ford Escape Hybrid one of its “2009 Best New Family Vehicles.”
Both the 2009 Escape and Mariner Hybrids were recognized with the following awards:
- “2009 Automotive Best Buys” by Consumers Digest magazine
- “Best Crossover/SUV Value Under $28,000” by IntelliChoice.com
- “Greener Choices” by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
- “2009 Best Engines” list for the redesigned 2.5L I-4 Engine by Ward’s Automotive Group
Looking Forward
Ford recently launched the next step in the electrification of vehicles with an aggressive plan to bring pure battery-electric vehicles, next-generation hybrids and a plug-in hybrid to market by 2012.
Quotes
“As we celebrate our 100,000th hybrid, America’s interest in hybrid vehicles keeps a does Ford’s commitment to advanced powertrain technologies that deliver greater fuel economy, lower emissions and help enhance our country’s energy security. 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.”
- Bill Ford, Executive Chairman, Ford Motor Company
“All of us at the plant feel tremendous pride as we celebrate this important milestone. We are as enthusiastic about building the 100,000th vehicle today as we were at the initial launch.”
- Ken Ward, Kansas City Plant Manager
“Our fuel consumption and costs have gone down dramatically. The money we are saving on fuel has allowed us to maintain our critical front line staffing despite the economic downturn. We also are saving money on vehicle maintenance. It is not a stretch to say that our new fleet of Ford Escape Hybrids is allowing more lifeguards to staff towers and in essence, helping us saving lives.”
- Mike Frazer, chief of Lifeguard Services, Los Angeles County Fire Department
Tags: 100000, Escape Hybrid, Ford, Ford Motor Company, Kansas City Assembly Plant, Mercury Mariner, SUVs
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Thursday, February 5th, 2009
Environmental Group Rates 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid and Ranger as ‘Greener Choices’
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) announced its annual environmental scores for 2009 model year cars and trucks this week, listing Ford Escape Hybrid and Ford Ranger on its “Greener Choices” list.
Greener Choices
According to ACEEE, “Greener Choices” are widely available gas-powered cars and light trucks with automatic transmissions. The 2009 Escape Hybrid, which earned a superior “green score” of 42, is rated for 34/31 miles per gallon in city/highway driving. The 2009 Ranger, which earned a “green score” of 33, is rated for 19/24 mpg. Both vehicles meet low emission standards.
More Top-Rated Vehicles
Additional 2009 Ford Motor Company vehicles received top ratings from ACEEE, including Mercury Mariner Hybrid, which offers the same fuel economy as the Escape Hybrid, and the Ford Ranger with a manual transmission, which gets 21/26 mpg. Top-rated “green” vehicles include cars and trucks that have high fuel economy and meet one of the stricter low-emission vehicle standards.
Tags: ACEEE, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Escape Hybrid, Ford, Ford Motor Company, green, hybrid, Ranger
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Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008
Ford vehicles featured in the new sci-fi drama series, "Fringe."
The latest show from acclaimed Hollywood producer/director J. J. Abrams, who also is the creator of “Lost” and “Alias”, premieres Tuesday September 9 at 8:00/7:00 p.m. on FOX. “Fringe” follows the adventures of a team of FBI paranormal investigators. And, Ford matched each cast members to a vehicle that helped define their character.
FBI Special Agent Olivia Dunham, played by Anna Torv, will investigate strange occurrences in a 2009 Escape Hybrid. Producers wanted a sexy vehicle for Joshua Jackson’s character Peter Bishop, opting for the Ford Mustang. Rounding out the cast, FBI Special Agent Charlie Francis, played by Kirk Acevedo, and Department of Homeland Security Special Agent Phillip Broyles, played by Lance Reddick will drive the new Ford Fusions. As well, the fleet vehicle for the “Fringe” team is the 2009 Flex.
Quotes
“There is tremendous buzz in Hollywood surrounding this program, and we’re excited to be a part of it. We auditioned three cars – the Escape Hybrid, the new Ford Flex and the Mustang – and the producers wanted them all, plus the Ford Fusion.”
Ross Mackenzie, Ford Global Brand Entertainment
Tags: Escape Hybrid, Ford Flex, Ford Fusion, Ford Mustang, FOX, Fringe, J.J. Abrams
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Monday, July 28th, 2008
Escape/Mariner Hybrid Cruises on Battery Power Up to 40 mph
The 2009 Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner Hybrid gives drivers more electric mode driving, running on battery power up to 40 mph. That’s up from 30 mph on the previous model.
Those extra 10 slashes on the speedometer make the Hybrid a fuel-efficient urban hauler not only on low-speed residential streets, but on higher-speed arterial roads that often connect neighborhoods to the local grocery store, post office and midtown strip mall.
Hit the highway and advancements in engine processor technology make the transition from electric mode to gas nearly imperceptible. In addition, the Hybrid has a new brake system that provides a seamless shift from regenerative braking to traditional braking. A new pedal sensor gives better feedback and pedal feel similar to that of a traditional vacuum-assisted hydraulic system.
Some other tidbits about the 2009 Escape/Mariner Hybrid:
- Ford’s new 2.5-liter I-4 engine has been adapted for the hybrids and is Ford’s first engine to use variable valve timing on an Atkinson cycle hybrid engine. The total system offers 177 hp, up 22 hp over the 2008MY 2.3-liter.
- The 2009 Hybrid achieved a 1 mpg improvement on the highway, for 34 city/31 highway mpg.
- Escape and Mariner Hybrid are the only small hybrid SUVs to offer standard AdvanceTrac with RSC.
Tags: Escape Hybrid, Mariner Hybrid
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