Where is Ford's hybrid vehicle program going?
Ford's head of hybrid programs, Mary Ann Wright, gave her resignation on Friday according to the AP. A strong proponent of Ford's hybrids, Mrs. Wright, had often stated that clean vehicles were a lifelong passion. "Recycling and reusing were not just fads for us...they were a way of life that I still practice today, from being a vegan to not buying products that have been tested on animals," Mrs. Wright once said about her background. "But, beyond the personal choices I make in my everyday life, I have channeled my love of the environment into my profession...which, for me, is the ultimate high."
So what does it mean for Ford's hybrid vehicles when their leader gives up the "ultimate high"? While one can only speculate, it is obvious that Ford isn't nearly as bullish on hybrids as Toyota is, for example. Toyota will produce more hybrids this year than Ford plans to produce in 2010.
Was this the source of Mrs. Wright's angst? Was Ford failing to live up to her expectations?
It will be interesting to see if Ford's new hybrid head, Nancy Gioia, will make any strong statments about the future of Ford's hybrid program to squash any negative speculation about Mrs. Wright's departure.
So what does it mean for Ford's hybrid vehicles when their leader gives up the "ultimate high"? While one can only speculate, it is obvious that Ford isn't nearly as bullish on hybrids as Toyota is, for example. Toyota will produce more hybrids this year than Ford plans to produce in 2010.
Was this the source of Mrs. Wright's angst? Was Ford failing to live up to her expectations?
It will be interesting to see if Ford's new hybrid head, Nancy Gioia, will make any strong statments about the future of Ford's hybrid program to squash any negative speculation about Mrs. Wright's departure.
Labels: Ford, Hybrid Vehicles, toyota
posted by Dahcredyns at
9:03 AM
4 Comments:
nice,blog I've been researching ways to save on fuel, and Hybrids seem like a good option.,, I'll definetly be back ,, If u get a chance check out suvclub.blogspot.com
Tree27 -
While not a huge SUV fan, I can't expect others to act and believe as I do. That's why I like hybrid technology, it has the potential to make SUVs more fuel efficient, without giving anything up. Still, I'd advocate for smaller SUVs and crossovers in the future if you have to have an SUV, especially if you don't have the passengers to fill it up.
Good luck with your blog.
I've been fighting the good fight againt a couple of GM flaks including this most recent topic (performance, SUVs, vs fuel economy)
(latest example: http://www.econbrowser.com/archives/2005/10/ford_joins_the.html) but am running out of steam. It's amazing how much people will fight to avoid admitting defeat...
Mike-
I know the feeling. I used to post in the Forums at AutoWeek, where some devout GM advocates reside.
While I want GM to be successful, I think they deserve some serious criticism. When the likes of Bob Lutz can admit that GM could have taken a sliver of its yearly marketing budget to develop hybrid cars, but didn't, I get a little offended, especially since 9/11.
They'd rather spend hundreds of millions promoting gas-guzzling, rather than promoting fuel efficiency - I just can't accept that - not from an American automaker. How is increased foreign oil dependency synonymous with American freedom?
Even just recently, GM delayed the release of some crossovers and cars so they could get their biggest, most gas-guzzling vehicles to market faster. This was just after Katrina, just as the President called on Americans to conserve.
That's just sad.
Don't give up the good fight!
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