Following Hybrid Ford Escape, Ford Announces Expansion of Hybrid Car & Truck Models

Ford Motor Co. announced at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit that it is planning to expand the selection of Ford gasoline-electric hybrid car models. The move is viewed to be a part of CEO, William Clay Ford Jr.'s, mission to create cleaner fuel burning Ford cars and trucks. A gasoline-electric version of the Mariner SUV is reported to be available to the public sometime this year. Ford also said hybrid versions of the new Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan will go on sale as early as 2008.

An auto industry expert explained the mechanics of hybrid car and truck engines as using an electric motor at lower speeds, which burns less gasoline and therefore less emissions. In 2004 the Ford Escape Hybrid was unveiled as the first such vehicle available from the company.

Industry analysts report that the 2004 Ford hybrid Escape SUV came after Toyota Motor Corp.'s launching of its line-up of hybrids by seven years and Honda Motor Co.'s hybrid car debut by five. Recently, GM and DaimlerChrysler announced they partnered up in a joint effort to design a gasoline-electric hybrid engine by 2007.

In May of 2004, Mr. Ford stated that improvement of fuel efficiency in Ford cars and trucks presents a 'business opportunity'. Ford also stated previously that it is planning to unveil a test fleet of hybrid Mazda Tribute SUVs on the road sometime in 2005 with production forecasted for 2007. Ford manufactures the Mazda Tribute for affiliate Mazda Motor Corp.

The Ford Escape, Mariner and Mazda Tribute all have several common components. The hybrid versions of each model will be produced in the same assembly plant in Kansas City.

Ford Fusion & Other Flagship Models' Ad Spend to Increase 15% for 2005

Ford Division President Steve Lyons recently announced at the 2005 Detroit North American International Auto Show that the company is planning to increase advertising spending by around 15%. A move it hopes will further promote its flagship Ford-brand vehicles, including the new mid-size Ford Fusion sedan that will be available to the public later this year.

Auto industry insiders report that Ford's 2004 ad spending reached a record high. Mr. Lyons stated that "We are increasing our advertising budget very substantially this year ... adding $50 million to $100 million. The increase will amount to a year-on-year rise 'in the 15% range'."

Ford is reported to have spent more than $150 million in 2004 fourth-quarter advertising, mainly to market the Ford Five Hundred car, Freestyle wagon and its other new or recently redesigned cars and trucks.

Ford Escape Earns Top Truck Honors at North American International Auto Show

A panel of journalists at the 2005 Detroit North American International Auto Show selected the Ford Escape Hybrid as the top truck, beating out the new Land Rover LR3 and the Ford Freestyle. To be eligible, panelists explained, the vehicles must be "all new" or "substantially changed" from the previous model release.

Stephen Lyons, Ford division president, stated that the automaker is currently experiencing trouble keeping up with high demand for the company's first hybrid model and the first American gasoline-electric hybrid, following on the footsteps of Toyota and Honda whom originally introduced the gasoline-electric engine concept to the US market. "It's the first SUV hybrid," Mr. Lyons explained. "It's unique. You get all the advantage of hybrid fuel economy and the practicality of an SUV."

Lyons added that he believes it is an advantage to be the first automaker to market a hybrid SUV, ahead of Honda, Toyota and General Motors. These companies report that they are planning to unveil their respective hybrid SUV models to the United States in 2005 and 2006. "Very clearly there's a demand way beyond what we thought," Mr. Lyons continued, explaining the 20,000 SUV trucks planned for US production in 2005 "won't be nearly enough."

This year marked the second year in a row that a hybrid car or truck was chosen for top honors by the panel. In 2004 the Toyota Prius was the North American Car of the Year. Since 1994 the selection committee, made up of automotive journalists representing newspapers, magazines and television, honors a new car and a new truck that it feels has achieved a standard in their sectors in categories including value, innovation, safety, ride and handling.

Ford Taurus to be Driven by Jourdain Jr. in 2005 NASCAR Busch Series

Race car driver Michel Jourdain Jr. has recently signed a deal with Ford Motorsports to drive a Ford Taurus for ppc Racing in the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series. He will be the first Hispanic to race a full NASCAR Busch schedule. ''I'm very excited about this chance,'' Jourdain said in a statement to the press. ''I've been wanting to come to NASCAR for a couple years now, and (Ford Racing director) Dan Davis worked very hard with me to find the right opportunity where I could have a chance to work and learn with a top team like ppc.''

Jourdain Jr. is the son of the well-known Mexican racer Michel Jourdain Sr. Jourdain Jr. became the youngest Champ Car driver at age 19 in 1996 and was the former CART series' Most Improved Driver in 1997. In 152 career Champ Car starts, Jourdain earned two wins, 25 top-10 finishes and nine podiums. In 2003, when he raced for Team Rahal, he had his best championship finish with a third. But Jourdain shifted to RuSport last season rather than go with Rahal to the IRL.

Because of his lack of superspeedway experience, it is currently unclear whether NASCAR will approve Jourdain to drive the Ford Tuarus at the February season-opener there. He is already cleared to race on many other tracks, including the Mexico City road course. The Busch cars compete there in March this year.

''This is something that has been in the works for a couple years, and we've been looking for an opportunity like this to give a deserving driver like Michel the chance to succeed in NASCAR,'' Mr. Davis, the Ford Racing Director, stated. ''The fact that we've been able to get this program together this year when the series is going to have its first race in Mexico just adds to the excitement.'' The team will compete with cars in all three of NASCAR's premier divisions. John Andretti drives a Ford Taurus for ppc in the Nextel Cup series, Kenny Wallace in Busch and Terry Cook in Craftsman Truck.