Ford to Introduce Two new Gas-Electric Hybrids in 2009
Ford Motors plans to roll out a pair of brand new gas-electric hybrids early in 2009 based on a redesigned 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan midsize sedans. They will mark the first Ford hybrid sedans. Both hybrids were unveiled at the recent Los Angeles auto show, and will go on sale in the spring, the automaker said. The move comes just in time to show Washington lawmakers contemplating a bailout of the industry that it is working on rolling out alternative-fuel vehicles.
Ford's only hybrids now are the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner compact crossover utility vehicles, which entered their second generation this year. Ford said at the Los Angeles rollout that the Fusion and Milan hybrids would have best-in-class fuel economy, beating the Camry hybrid by at least 6 mpg in the city. With their city EPA ratings, the Fusion and Milan hybrids should be able to go more than 700 miles between refuelings, Ford said. A smaller, lighter nickel-metal hydride battery has been developed for the hybrids, and can produce 20% more power over the previous generation of this battery.
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