Ford Mulling Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle

[Beryl Octet]

http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cf...39887/story.htm

DEARBORN, Mich. - Ford Motor Co. is considering the development of plug-in hybrid vehicles in an effort to provide alternate energy sources, the director of the automaker's hybrid program said Tuesday. Speaking at the Automotive News World Congress in Dearborn, Michigan, Nancy Gioia said the automaker is considering adding plug-ins products, but the biggest challenge in development is battery technology.

Gioia declined to provide a timeline on plug-in hybrids, but said they will be more expensive than other vehicles. Gioia also said people will likely not buy plug-ins without big federal tax breaks. [/b]

[Tech_Guy]

Rumor has it that the Ford Marketing Dept. has not been able to determine the exact length of extension cord required for their plug-in hybrid. Ford Engineering Department is trying to figure out where to put the very long extension cord that Marketing is mandating...

Regards,

Keith

[JimN]

Too bad Ford didn't think of trying a plug in CAR. Maybe a plug in Mustang will sell better than a plug in SUV.

[Kablooie]

But how will they deal with the miles and miles of electrical cord dragging behind the cars?

[Tech_Guy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kablooie @ Jan 21 2007, 01:17 PM) [snapback]378770[/snapback]</div>

But how will they deal with the miles and miles of electrical cord dragging behind the cars?
[/b]

My guess is that Ford Legal Department is evaluating this scenario. The fundamental question is: "What is the legal liability if a pedestrian should trip over the extension cord." This alone could put an end to Ford's aspiration of creating a phenomenal plug-in vehicle.

Keith

[Topgas]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tech_Guy @ Jan 21 2007, 06:25 PM) [snapback]378794[/snapback]</div>

My guess is that Ford Legal Department is evaluating this scenario. The fundamental question is: "What is the legal liability if a pedestrian should trip over the extension cord." This alone could put an end to Ford's aspiration of creating a phenomenal plug-in vehicle.

Keith
[/b]

They'll just put the same laywers on it that they used with the Explorer roll overs......

[TonyPSchaefer]

Excluding the facts that there were as many electric vehicles as there were ICU vehicles in 1900 and that Henry Ford and George Washington Carver were partners working to develop biofuel vehicles, it's great that Ford Motor Corp. is coming out with such forward-thinking ideas. Now THAT'S "bold moves."

[Tech_Guy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Topgas @ Jan 21 2007, 07:43 PM) [snapback]378844[/snapback]</div>

They'll just put the same laywers on it that they used with the Explorer roll overs......
[/b]

On a serious note:

I remember many years ago when Ford had a small economy car known as the Pinto. After a couple years of of production it was noted that there were an unusually high number of fatalities resulting fires after a rear end collision. A number of studies proved that the fuel tank was indeed vulnerable to rupture and a resultant fire after a moderate rear-end collision. Ford management came to the conclusion that it was financially more efficient for them to pay-off the survivors and their families than to fix the problem.

I remember the more recent Ford Explorer problem referenced above. In this case, Ford blamed everybody (drivers, tire manufacturers, etc.) except themselves for the stability problems with their product.

A long time ago I learned that the best way to judge people (and companies) was to evaluate them by their actions. A person's (and companies) actions are consistent to the way they really feel. On the other hand, one's words can often be a mask of lies and deception.

Never again will I buy a Ford product....

Sincerely,

Keith