As it readies the Escape Hybrid for sale, Ford is working to appear more environmentally responsible.
Ford Motor has been a leader in the use of recycled materials, starting in 2008 with the upholstery in the Ford Escape hybrid.
FORBES: Ford's Global Ambitions Include Turning The World's Plastic Bottles Into Car Parts
At about the time Barack Obama (2009- ) threw his hat into the ring to run for the presidency he traded in his Chrysler 300C sedan for a fuel-efficient Ford Escape Hybrid crossover SUV.
FORBES: All The Presidents' Wheels: The History Of Cars And Our Commanders-In-Chief
Prior to taking office Obama tooled around Chicago behind the wheel of an urban-cool Chrysler 300C sedan, which he proceeded to trade in upon throwing his hat into the proverbial ring for a for a more fuel-efficient and politically expeditious Ford Escape Hybrid SUV.
In either event, Ford is planning for initial demand of the Escape Hybrid to far outstrip supply, according to Marty Collins , Ford's general marketing manager.
Sales of Ford's Escape hybrid SUV were up more than 50 percent last month.
Ford's optimism about the Escape Hybrid's potential appeal comes, in part, from the fact that 500, 000 people have visited a Web site the company has set up to provide information about hybrids.
After being criticized during their last trip for arriving in Washington in corporate jets, Mulally and Wagoner are driving to the nation's capital in hybrid cars -- Mulally in a Ford Escape and Wagoner in a Chevrolet Malibu.
Ford has not decided on an annual sales target for the Escape Hybrid, but it estimates the goal will be between 15, 000 and 25, 000 units annually.
Chevy's Volt and Nissan's Leaf are the high-profile, well-received electrically charged headline grabbers, but Ford has also arrived with critically acclaimed hybrid versions of its Escape SUV and Fusion sedan.
Nissan 's ( NSANY - news - people ) Leaf are the high-profile, well-received electrically charged headline grabbers, but Ford has also arrived with critically acclaimed hybrid versions of its Escape SUV and Fusion sedan.
Ford's first hybrid vehicle, a version of the compact Escape sport utility, won't go on sale until late 2004.
While the 2004-2008 Prius is the most popular hybrid conversion, it is also possible on 2005-2008 Mercury Mariner and Ford Escape hybrids.
应用推荐