kmb1966
Houston
Senior Member
Joined: 09/18/2005
View Profile
 Online
|
Peralko wrote: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!
This does appear to be the problem. Every dealer I have visited or called says the same thing. The FEH is sold when it arrives usually. If not already sold, it sells within hours of arrival.
The only reason there are not more of them on the road is because of what grandpa used to say: "You can't sell a watermelon off of an empty truck".
I say this: "IF YOU BUILD THEM, THEY WILL SELL". Ford needs to turn away from the large SUV market. WAKE UP! IT'S OVER. No, we (car buying public) are not all rejoicing about it either, but that is the truth. Large SUV's need to become special order, and fuel efficient cars should line the Ford dealership parking lot and showroom inventories, not the other way around!
|
klenger
Tucson AZ
Senior Member
Joined: 12/10/2004
View Profile
 Offline
|
The high cost of R&D is a poor reason to cut production. The more you sell, the more the R&D costs are spead out. It might have more to do with limited supply of parts necessary to make it. That, ... or Ford is stupid.
2008 Tiffin Allegro 32BA FRED Class A Motor Home
2008 Honda CRV, Blue Ox, SMI DUO Stay-in-Play Brake
|
Peralko
San Antonio, Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 09/17/2001
View Profile
|
Let's see; You have a company who spends millions on an advertising campaign touting "Quality is job one" rather than spending money actually improving the quality of their vehicles, what do you think? Stupid?????
Peralko
USAF Retired
95 Country Coach Affinity
2008 Honda Civic hybrid
2004 Honda GoldWing
|
slabman
Plano TX or somewhere along the road
Senior Member
Joined: 07/01/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Amxpress, if Ford is using the Toyota technology and the Esc. Hybrid is towable, then does it follow that the Toy. Hylander hybrid might also be towable? Or maybe the initial technology didn't allow towing.....
2007 Travel Supreme Alante, 45 ft.
2006 Lexus LX470 Toad
|
Peralko
San Antonio, Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 09/17/2001
View Profile
|
The Toyota Highlander hybrid is definitely not flat towable.
|
|
|
kmb1966
Houston
Senior Member
Joined: 09/18/2005
View Profile
Online
|
The only 4 wheel towable hybrid SUV that I know of is the Ford Escape Hybrid, and its twin, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid. Both are RARE, because the geniouses at Ford will not produce them in volume. It is not a parts availability problem for this car. Ford can be just that stubborn to change. I think they pray everynight for the Expedition days to return. In the meantime, they loose sales to Toyota and Honda hybrids, while they SIT on production of the #1 EPA mileage Hybrid SUV available... their Escape/Mariner Hybrid. Are they just stubborn or stupid is the question?
|
apr67
Tallahassee, Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 02/14/2007
View Profile
|
The fact that Ford uses the toyota technology in the Escape doesn't mean they didn't have R&D. As a matter of fact I can't find out what it means. Is ford just using Toyota's patents and paying a royalty?
Having driven an 07 and 08 Escape Hybrid (county goverment), the parts in the engine bay look pure blue oval to me.
Don't take your organs to heaven. Heaven knows we need them here.
----------------
2007 National Surf Side 34DE. Full timing since 1/06/08
2007 Toyota Matrix Da Toad
|
amxpress
Clayton, NC
Senior Member
Joined: 04/14/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Ford purchased the technology...software, component designs, generator/motor, computers, etc. The rest of the hardware is Ford's....engine, transaxle, etc.
This probably saved Ford a lot of R&D $$$ and allowed them to get a hybrid on the street with a blue oval on it.
I am not familiar with the differences Ford added that might allow their hybrids to be towed 4 down, while Toyota says it's a no no with theirs.
Maybe they don't have toads in Japan....
2007 Dodge RAM 2500 Quad Cab w/6.7 Cummins
2008 Palamino Sabre 31RKTS
Reese 15K Pro Series manual slide
Prodigy
Firestone Air Bags
Travel in peace...leave the M-I-L at home.
|
apr67
Tallahassee, Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 02/14/2007
View Profile
|
My guess would be Ford's transfer case. Or perhaps they are just winging it.
|
Bea PA
Waynesboro, PA, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/28/2000
View Profile
Offline
|
We wanted the Escape, couldn't get one. Had to settle with another car. Ford has to get their head out of the ground.
Bea PA
2004 Winnebago Journey
2008 Saturn Vue
1998 Venture Van
Brake Buddy/Remco Pump
2003 Gold Wing 1800 (Big Red)
|
|
|
