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Ford Escape Hybrid Begins Production

The Escape Hybrid is Detroits First HEV

Last Thursday, Fords first gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle (HEV) rolled off the production line, but it wasnt the tiny, tinny econobox that most associate with HEVs, but rather the worlds first hybrid sport utility.

The relatively conventional looking Titanium Green 2005 Escape Hybrid 4x4 eased off the line with Ford Chairman and CEO Bill Ford and Charlie Hoskin of the United Auto Workers National Ford Department behind the wheel. Also present at the celebratory occasion was Bob Holden, Missouri Governor, and the plants workers.

The introduction of the hybrid Escape couldnt come at a better time for Ford. North Americas SUV boom continues, and the demand

Bill Ford and Charlie Hoskin unveil the new 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid, Detroits first HEV. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

for gasoline-electric vehicles is greater than ever. The Escape Hybrid is only vehicle sold in North America that can tap into both of market segments simultaneously, that is until the Lexus RX 400h arrives for luxury buyers soon.

Will the Lexus arrive in dealerships before Fords SUV and steal the blue ovals "first HEV SUV" thunder? Not too likely. Recently, Toyota announced that the demand for its second-generation Prius 5-door is so high that it had

Escape Hybrid proved its efficiency by lapping Manhattan on a single tank of gas, a feat only possibly due to the Escape HEVs electric assist. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

to scale up production by fifty percent, which some automotive market analysts have said will effectively delay the production and introduction of the first-announced Lexus RX400H hybrid SUV to early 2005.

Although hybrids have been on our roads for about five years, Ford isnt late to the game by any means. Its Escape Hybrid is only the fourth vehicle to obtain HEV status and is North Americas first production hybrid vehicle. It differs from previous entries, such as Hondas radical two-seat Insight and Toyotas popular family-size Prius, by

Equipped with standard-fit tires, suspension and all-wheel drive (on 4x4 models), the Escape Hybrid performs just as well as the conventional Escape when the road becomes a path. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

building the advanced technology into an ordinary but established vehicle, similarly to Hondas Civic Hybrid. It differs even further due to its extremely versatile SUV layout.

On this subject Bill Ford commented that, "[buyers] dont want to give up their SUVs, and we dont think they should have to," explaining that the no-compromise SUV would integrate regular tires, a 1,000 pound towing rating and all of the conventional Escape SUVs light-duty off-road components.

Aside from entering the market at the right time, the Escape Hybrid will help boost Fords less than shining image with national environmental agencies. The Environmental

A familiar exterior, SUV capabilities and a tax-cut (where available) should make the Escape Hybrid a big hit. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

Protection Agency (EPA) recently certified the Escape Hybrid FWD at 36 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, which is the most efficient rating any SUV has ever achieved, even better than Fords original predictions of 35/29 mpg. When compared to the gasoline V6 model, the real-world difference is about 20 mpg, with a lesser 15 mpg difference for the four-cylinder model. This news should be welcome to Ford, freeing up one of the worst offender spots at CAFE.

Fuel sipping isnt the only area that the Hybrid Escape excels, as it also performs well in emissions testing. The SUVs squeaky clean powertrain releases 97 percent less hydrocarbons and nitrous oxides (NOx) than vehicles which meet the National Tier 1 Emissions Standards. Unsurprisingly, the Escape Hybrid is clean enough to qualify for the title of Advanced Technology Partial Emissions

The Escape Hybrid is the worlds first production hybrid-powered SUV. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

Vehicle (AT-PZEV) which is the best classification that a car can get, until hydrogen-powered zero emissions vehicles become available en masse, or one of the majors produces another full electric. Comparatively, the gasoline-only-powered Escapes, despite their advanced technologies, have little to boast about when it comes to low-emissions.

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