About Time !!

I think Toyota's answer to all of those will be 2010 Prius

Nice work by Ford. Hopefully Ford is able to sell every 2010 Hybrid Fusion that they build at close to MSRP.

Sounds pretty good. Would be nice to see more competition. Of course, we'll have to see if Ford actually hits its numbers. Sounds a little optimistic to me, given that the Fusion is currently 2mpg less than the Camry 4cyl but we'll have to wait and see. The Escape makes it pretty clear that Ford has decent hybrid technology, nice to see them starting to make more use of it. You also have to keep in mind that as usual the new cars 2010 projected numbers are being compared against cars that are already at least several years old. Only other problem I see is that even though the Camry Hybrid is the larger sedan hybrid king, its sales pale in comparison to the Prius. I'm afraid the market for these more expensive cars will continue to decline relative to the smaller hybrid segment if the economy stays weak. That may not give Ford a lot of sales even if it is successful.

Rob

You mean that lengthy article skipped the actual mpg numbers? I thought I simply somehow missed it!

Matter of personal opinion of course but I think that front grill on the fusion looks ugly.....too big and pronounced IMO. Other than that looks great.

Ford's number, not yet certified by the EPA, is that the new twins will get '40 mpg'. What does this number represent? Don't know it's unspecified. The TCH numbers are 33 C / 34 H / 34 Combined. Most drivers from the GH database exceed these numbers by about 8-10%.

40 mpg ( 2.5 gpc ) would be a great advancement for the industry and for we the driving public.

for numbers say 5 mpg more... whatever number that represents, it will be great... competition spurs inovation...

While its a good thing that other manufacturers are finally jumping on the Hybrid wagon, I wonder how successful they will be, in that their hybrids don't have a unique look or model, like Toyota has the Prius. It has been well proven that the biggest selling hybrid on the market (Prius) has a unique signature look, and other features. Also, having dual Hybrid and regular equivalent models, comparisons to "regular" equivalent models are easier, which in some people's minds, work against a hybrid purchase. Much as I don't like GM, at least the Volt has a unique look compared to Impalas, Malibus, etc that they also (try to) sell. I'm glad Toyota took the unique approach of dedicating a whole model line. I see 10-1 Prius hybrids to Camry, Highlander hybrids on the LA freeways, though I see a lot of "regular" Camrys and Highlanders. I've still never seen any variation of GM hybrid, and only a few Escapes with hybrid badges. Just an observation from someone who spends 10 hours a week on LA freeways.

I think the carmakers just have no incentives to really push hybrids.. Even Toyota doesn't spend much on advertising the Prius compared to their other cars (Camry, Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, etc.)

The only hybrid commercials I've seen regularly on TV lately was the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid with that obnoxious guy.

If these auto exec boneheads want to move hybrids, they should put out commercials to dispel common myths-- Maybe put in a tagline that says, "hybrid battery warranty 8 years / 100,000 miles" so people won't believe all that crap about having to replace the battery every couple of years for thousands.

Somehow I think Ford isn't going to advertise much that they have a Fusion Hybrid either (heck, I haven't seen any ads on TV for the Escape Hybrid after 2005). If they don't put some effort behind marketing the Fusion Hybrid, considering the financial trouble Ford is in I would predict it's going to go the way of the Dodge Durango Hybrid-- Cancelled after a couple months of production.

Ford Canada are starting to advertise heavily the Escape Hybrid.

Toyota has long had both "normal" Camry and Hybrid Camry.
Nissan has now had both "normal" Altima and Hybrid Altima.
Once upon a time you could choose a "normal" Honda Accord or a Hybrid Accord.
GM has the "normal" Malibu and Hybrid Malibu (and their online site stinks!)
I think comparison is easy.

The Fusion Hybrid is a Ford. -I- wouldn't buy it with YOUR money!

Ford's Marketing is putting emphasis on their bread-n-butter, the F-150:

Ford F-150 Unparalleled in Capability, Ad Strategy

Purposely void of corny gimmicks and flashy stunts, Ford's campaign
aims at core truck buyers who use their pickups for work and play and need
to see what -- and how -- the new F-150 delivers that other trucks simply
can't.

"The F-150 campaign focuses purely on the product, because that's where
customers are today," said Jim Farley, Ford group vice president, Marketing
and Communications. "Hype doesn't matter. True truck customers want to know
what's different about the new F-150. With this approach, they can see and
vicariously test this truck, getting a good sense of how it outperforms the
competition even in extreme conditions."

In addition to TV and radio ads, a new online application will launch
in mid-November at http://www.fordvehicles.com with a series of real-world
comparison tests that put F-150's unmatched capability in towing, hauling,
durability and fuel economy front and center.

Mass media advertising is horrendously expensive. Note that the lower priced vehicles like the Corolla, Yaris, Fit, Civic have almost no mass media advertising. Ditto the hybrids 'til now. The margins just don't make it worthwhile. Where do the margins make sense? Trucks and SUVs.

Toyota has a corporate profit margin of ~ 15% EBITDA. Ford's is not so high I imagine, understatement. At 15% that's about $3000 on a $20000 vehicle sold - wholesale to a dealer not the MSRP.

it is around 8% profit margin for complete Toyota (2007), and thats almost best in the industry - only Porsche makes more...

Ford actually produces a lot more hybrids than GM, and they said they will concentrate on selling them, unlike some of their competitors (hint: GM) who concentrate on their PR's.

It looks like Ford is actually getting serious about hybrids.
New article says 38mpg city, and top battery-only speed of 47mpH.

DailyTech - 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid to Get 38 MPG in the City

And here's a brand new video on the Ford Ka (Nov.21,2008)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq4-IFVbhdI