Ford can't make plug-ins without gov. help?
A plug-in hybrid Escape at NAIASAccording to Reuters, Ford will need "substantial government investment" to make plug-in hybrid vehicles a reality, including both research money and tax credits.
"While the basic architecture is similar to our current hybrid electric vehicles, there are engineering challenges," Mark Fields, Ford's North American President told a hybrid electric vehicle conference sponsored by the Brookings Institute think tank and Google.org.
"Japan, China, Korea, and India are significantly funding the research development and deployment of plug-in hybrid vehicle technologies. This is a race we must win," Fields said.
posted by Dahcredyns at
6:47 AM
3 Comments:
I wish I had been present at this conference because I would have liked to have heard Field's comments myself. So, Ford "can't" make plug-in hybrids without help?
GM is moving forward with plug-in hybrids very aggressively. While I'm sure they are betting on government help, they haven't pinned plug-in hybrid success to government help.
Still, I think there should be tax credits for plug-in hybrids, for all hybrids. Let's incentivize change at the consumer level, not the corporate level.
Nonetheless, Fields makes it seem as if Ford wants a handout before committing to plug-in hybrids, even hybrids. Well, if they don't commit, they won't survive, at least not in America.
I'd have liked to hear the context of the conversation Mark Fields was having. This may have been a nudge to get Congress to wake up to the needs of American auto makers. Japan and Asia in general are starting to dominate the auto market - one of American industry's last staples. He's absolutely right in trying to get the government to wake up to this, but he probably could have said it in a better way. I do understand, however - Ford is struggling right now, and the obstacles are big.
the obstacles are huge and the us has a lot to gain. to me, this is ultimately about national security. so plug-in hybrids should be part of our national energy policy.
still, i just want more confidence from ford, even if just pr.
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