Ford unveils hybrid SUV -- finally!


Ford Motor Co. introduced a new hybrid research vehicle on Wednesday in a bid to show consumers -- and U.S. policy makers -- it is serious about overhauling its business and embracing fuel-saving innovations.


Ford Motor Co. introduced a new hybrid research vehicle on Wednesday in a bid to show consumers — and U.S. policy makers — it is serious about overhauling its business and embracing fuel-saving innovations.

The U.S. auto giant says the small sport-utility vehicle is the first hybrid capable of operating on blends of fuel containing up to 85 percent ethanol.

In many ways, that’s the important bit. Facility and ease are the keywords in making a transition to many alternative energy systems. Worst case scenario for filling stations is just a matter of adding another tank and pump for ethanol blends. Delivery and all the other logistics are in place.

General Motors introduced its Saturn Vue Green Line sport-utility hybrid at the same auto show and launched an advertising campaign on Wednesday to trumpet nine E85 FlexFuel models, including full-size trucks, SUVs and mid-sized passenger cars.

GM, which has also launched a massive restructuring, plans to produce 450,000 FlexFuel models in 2006. A spokesman said GM is mindful of the potential for E85/hybrid technology as well.

Ford plans to produce up to 250,000 ethanol-capable vehicles this year, including the Ford F-150 pickup.

Both sets of clowns are releasing commercials praising themselves for inventing everything from hybrids to wind and sunlight. Of course, they’re lightyears behind everyone else [which means Toyota and Honda] at actually delivering a damned thing. Still, it’s an achievement to get these rusty juggernauts to turn even a small corner.

I think what they really plan to deliver is questionable. “Research vehicle”, by the way, means they’re not certain of getting enough parts from Toyota to deliver anything.

Posted: Thu - January 26, 2006 at 06:15 AM