The Ford Escape hybrid, built here in MO at the Claycomo assembly plant near Kansas City, was named "Truck of the Year" at the Detroit Auto show. Like hybrids before it, the hybrid Escape is an important groundbreaker--the first American-made hybrid, and the first hybrid SUV. It averages 33 miles per gallon, about double the gas mileage of internal combustion model. It's clear that Ford Motor Co. is entirely capable of making well-crafted vehicles that get better gas mileage. In order to reduce U.S. dependence on oil, save drivers money at the gas pump, and slash carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming, Ford should build this technology into every new car and truck. Last year, people may recall, the 2004 Toyota Prius hybrid won just about every car accolade you can think of--Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Int'l Best Engine Design, etc.
Updated: 2005-01-12 11:17:39