Hidden hybrid potential: The crossover?

An Edge hybrid - Now that would have been bold

For far too long, American automakers put far too many eggs in the SUV basket. At the same time, the Big 3 also missed the boat on hybrid cars, although they are swiftly paddling up river.

Thus, wouldn't a unique hybrid crossover have been a perfect way for U.S. automakers to morph away from large SUVs while also developing winning hybrid vehicle designs?

For example, had the Ford Edge debuted as a hybrid vehicle, I bet it could have challenged the Toyota Camry hybrid in sales. Since the Camry hybrid is on track to move about 60,000 units, I think Ford would have considered the Edge hybrid as a huge success - that would have been a bold move.

Detroit, it seems, has so far been afraid to challenge the Toyota Prius. A unique hybrid crossover, however, could have challenged Toyota, without any comparison to the Prius, while providing a unique offering to I-only-buy-American, SUV-loving consumers.

Sometimes a flanking maneuver is just better than a frontal assault.

Obviously, the profit margins on a hybrid crossover would be less than a conventional crossover, however, the buzz that can be created by a successful hybrid is almost impossible to buy - exactly the kind of buzz that Ford desperately needs.