Re: Ford Slams Toyota on Hybrids

According to the Detroit News, Ford is blaming Toyota for its limited supply of hybrid vehicles.

Please. It turns out Ford is having trouble securing enough hybrid transmissions. Hmmm, sounds sort of like the same problem that caused lengthy waiting lists for the Toyota Prius hybrid, and also pushed back the release of both the Toyota Highlander hybrid and the Lexus RX400h hybrid.

In truth, Toyota has had and is still having problems getting enough hybrid parts.

While the Ford Escape hybrid was the first hybrid SUV, Ford has not been nearly as serious for nearly as long as Toyota when it comes to hybrids. Thus, Ford has used the supply network that Toyota and Honda, the other hybrid leader, created.

Ultimately, Ford must develop its own suppliers for hybrid parts, which it hopes to do with Delphi. The fact this development has not yet occurred isn't the fault of Toyota, but of Ford.

In the world of hybrids there is real news and there is marketing hype, this story is just marketing hype. The only good thing about this story is what appears to be Ford's growing commitment to hybrids.