kmb1966
Houston
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Ford is only going to produce 25,000 2009 Ford Escape Hybrids. According to Ford, the decision was not because of a production problem, or a supply of batteries (the great myth), but it is purely a business decision of Ford Motor Company to product approx 25,000 FEH out of the 250,000 Non-hybrid Ford Escapes. They make more money on non-hybrid vehicles period.
I have driven a 2008 FEH, and was pleased with the way it drove. And it is 4 wheel towable! The 2009 model is supposed to have a more powerful engine, 6 speed transmission, and yet still get approximately 1-2 mpg better than the 2008 FEH did. But, even with record fuel prices, Ford has decided to only produce 25,000 (10%) Hybrids. Bummer! 
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Burp
St. George's Island, MD
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When I was looking for a toad about a year ago, I thought about the Escape hybrid. Problem was that they were scarce, high priced, and then the dealers added another $5,000 to the price. I could not justify the expense so I have the only other Escape you can tow four down (4 cylinder, stick shift). I would not recommend the model I have; not enough torque and it stalls (yes, I know how to drive a stick shift).
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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Cost is a problem with hybrid technology due to low volumes. They sure don't want to make vehicles they can't sell either. Sales of those type of vehicles compared to others does not indicate a big market. I saw a study somewhere that put the cost of ownership of a hybrid vehicle higher than conventional but it was a couple of years old. The higher fuel cost may now have brought them closer together.
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96Bounder30E
Birthplace of the Boysenberry, Orange County, CA
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Sounds like american automakers are trying to kill the hybrid just like they killed the electric car........
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kmb1966
Houston
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fla-gypsy wrote:Cost is a problem with hybrid technology due to low volumes. They sure don't want to make vehicles they can't sell either. Sales of those type of vehicles compared to others does not indicate a big market. I saw a study somewhere that put the cost of ownership of a hybrid vehicle higher than conventional but it was a couple of years old. The higher fuel cost may now have brought them closer together.
The fact is these Ford Escape Hybrids are sold before they reach the lots. For example, the dealership called me around 2pm, told me they got one in. I drove up there an hour later and I was too late. A guy was sitting it and had already bought it. They are selling as soon as they get to the lots. Huge demand for the FEH. I actually gave up trying to buy one.
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kmb1966
Houston
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96Bounder30E wrote:Sounds like american automakers are trying to kill the hybrid just like they killed the electric car........
Ford appears to be going with hybrids "kicking and screaming" the whole way. These Escape Hybrids sell like hotcakes, but they just won't make them, because they are still holding out for the good ole days of stamping out SUVs. Those days are gone I'm afraid.
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robatthelake
Vancouver Island
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Sounds like Ford is being run by the Guys that used to be at Kodak! "Keep selling Film Guys it's so much better than Digital!"
Toyota intends to offer a Hybrid in Every model line!
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apr67
Tallahassee, Florida
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I read at one point that Toyota lost money on every Prius it built, depending on the accounting scheme used. They consider it profitable today (IE they can make the car and sell it for more than the sum of its parts), but they don't include the R&D and subsidies that they used for the first gen Prius.
Ford is probably also subsidizing the Escape. And rather than rasing prices for some reason they choose to make fewer. Perhaps because they need the mileage of 25000 hybrid escapes to allow them to sell 100,000 explorers (CAFE, don't cha know)..
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amxpress
Clayton, NC
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Ford has a minimal amount in the R&D for the Escape Hybrid.
They bought the technology from Toyota.
Yes, the Escape Hybrid is based on the 1st generation Toyota hybrid system.
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Peralko
San Antonio, Texas
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The only reason Ford is not selling more hybrid Escapes and Mariners, is because they are scarcer than hen's teeth. Toyota just went over the million mark with the Prius, and Ford could sell a whole lot more of their hybrids, but they want to keep selling gashogs and reap huge profits on those. Ford does not deserve my business!
Peralko
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