Yay Ford!

[jopperm2]

The Detroit Auto Show has named the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid 2005 Truck of the Year. I, being a Ford employee, am interested in your thoughts about what this means for the future of trucks and SUVs in North America. Here are two articles to help those who are not familiar with the Detroit AUto show or the Ford Escape Hybrid.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N07314183.htm

http://www.detnews.com/2005/autoshow...utos-54820.htm

I'm a big fan of these vehicles, but I think we need to extend the benefits of them in order to keep them cost effective. As one of those articles points out, if there was not a tax deduction associated with the hybrid, the Escape would not break even in cost effectiveness for 7.7 years. Which may mean that it will never break even considering that Hybrids may be more expensive to fix over the long run. What do you guys think?

[Vicsun]

A hybrid SUV is like a menu with 3 extra large pizzas with bacon and a diet coke.

I can't think of a funny punchline, but the concept of a fuel-saving gas guzzler is quite strange to me.

[jopperm2]

It gets better milage than my Toyota Camry and has more room and options.

[dragon wench]

Actually, I recently had to do some research on the Ford Hybrid Escape...
It is the only vehicle currently built and sold in North America that not only meets the strict new standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency, but exceeds them.

I've never been a defender of Ford (in fact we have always bought Japanese or European vehicles), but I was quite impressed by what I read on the Hybrid Escape. We'll see what the reviews are, though, once it has been on the road for a while.

To the question at hand, personally I think it is vital that *all* vehicles out there are made as hybrids. Not some time down the road, but *now* as soon as possible. At least until the time that fuel cell technology becomes a feasible alternative. Fuel cell technology, for anybody who does not know, is really cool. I don't know the scientific details, but basically energy from any source (including solar, wind and agricultural waste) can be stored in the fuel cell.. Just think of the possibilities....

[giles337]

I've never been a defender of Ford (in fact we have always bought Japanese or European vehicles), but I was quite impressed by what I read on the Hybrid Escape. We'll see what the reviews are, though, once it has been on the road for a while.

Not trying to steer you away from the Escape, but have you considered a Toyota Prius?

[jopperm2]

I'm not particularly familiar, what happens when those cells die out?

I'm a fan of non-American vehicles as well, did you see in there that Ford is looking into a Mazda Hybrid SUV? The Mazda Tribute is a lot bigger than the escape. That would be the largest Hybrid made for private use. In case people aren't familiar, Mazda is built on the same floor as Ford.

I have heard in some industry journals here at work that Hybrids don't really outperform other LEVs (low emissions vehicles) though. What is your opinion on this?

[Vicsun]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragon wench ...At least until the time that fuel cell technology becomes a feasible alternative. Fuel cell technology, for anybody who does not know, is really cool. I don't know the scientific details, but basically energy from any source (including solar, wind and agricultural waste) can be stored in the fuel cell..

...which makes it not all that different than a conventional battery.

Basic science behind fuel cells: A fuel cell works by combining hydrogen and oxygen to form water. The chemical reaction releases energy. Oxygen can be easily obtained from air. Hydrogen has to be obtained from water. So, you basically have to convert water to hydrogen to water again. Due to laws of entropy and such energy is lost in the conversions.
Fuel cells aren't an energy source, they're merely an alternative method of storing energy. Electricity has to be used to separate the water and hydrogen in the first place. And because of losses you'll have to put more electrical energy into it than you'll get out of it.

The energy stored in the fuel cell depends on how the electricity used in extracting hydrogen is produced. As most of it is produced by coal and oil, fuel cell energy is mostly energy produced by coal and oil. Which doesn't make it clean, or a solution to depleting fossil fuels.

Sorry for the fragmentation of my post; I haven't slept for too long.



edit: a much more indepth explanation can be found at HowStuffWorks, for anyone who has the attention span to learn something new.

[jopperm2]

I have heard of that come to think of it.. Seems to me that Hydrogen burning vehicles would be a better option. Ford makes those in commercial capacities.

[GFreeman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vicsun A hybrid SUV is like a menu with 3 extra large pizzas with bacon and a diet coke. I can't think of a funny punchline, but the concept of a fuel-saving gas guzzler is quite strange to me.

hahaha....thats a pretty hilarious way to look at it...and oh so true...next we'll have hyrid space ships that we can just plug in at night.

[VonDondu]

I'm so glad it's a truck. Trucks are attractive and fun to drive!

At least, that's what all of the advertising I've seen in the last ten years would have me believe. I'm convinced!

Now, let's see if Ford or any of the other big automakers will spend as much money promoting hybrid cars as they've spent promoting TRUCKS. (yea!)

/sarcasm off

[jopperm2]

Well, I think Hybrid is going to be the new thing for Ford. They are working on the Mazda Tribute Hybrid like I said, but they are also working on more traditional sized sedans, and some commercial vehicles. Ford is the largest producer of trucks in the world, so I doubt the advertising for F150 will be reduced at all.