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Ford
Fusion Hybrid
Ford has announced that its 2008 Fusion will have a hybrid
powertrain. In doing so, the Fusion Hybrid will be Ford's fourth
full-hybrid in the automaker's lineup. The first three hybrid
models include the Ford
Escape Hybrid, Mercury
Mariner Hybrid and Mazda
Tribute Hybrid.
The 2008 Fusion Hybrid shows off Ford's dedication to green
vehicles. The 4-cylinder version of the current 2006 model
Fusion car is rated as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle
(PZEV) in California. Ford also intends to roll out the
Fusion's companion car, the Mercury Milan Hybrid in 2008
as well, which will share the same hybrid power-train.
The Fusion was developed from one of Ford's popular concept
cars. According to Ford, "The design of the Fusion
was inspired by the Ford 427 concept, a runaway hit with
recent auto show crowds. Fusion takes several design cues
from the 427, especially its bold three-bar grille and multi-element
projector-beam headlamps. The 427 also inspired Fusion's
optional charcoal-black leather-trimmed interior with contrasting
oatmeal-colored seat stitching."
Ford is coming to the hybrid car market late, preferring
to tackle the hybrid SUV market first. Though Ford is late
to the show, they nonetheless are demonstrating their eagerness
to go green. Even before the first Ford hybrid car rolls
out in 2008, Ford will be showing their greenness by delivering
cleaner burning gasoline engines.
On October 5, 2005, California marketing manager Lewis
Echlin said in a statement, "Ford is releasing more
new clean air vehicles than any other automaker. More Low
Emission Vehicles (LEV), Super Low Emission Vehicles (SULEV),
Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV) and hybrid products
will begin hitting showrooms this month and next."
So, no matter what the technology being used, Ford has
committed themselves to going green. It is our bet that
they will be seeing much green in their pockets as a result.
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