Ford may pass Honda as second best hybrid seller in U.S.
2009 Ford Escape Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery
There's no doubt about which automaker leads the hybrid vehicle race. Toyota – and particularly the Japanese automaker's Prius hybrid hatchback – outsells all other manufacturers combined. In total, Automotive News (sub. req'd) calculates that Toyota sold 144,351 hybrid vehicles in the first nine months of 2009, which actually represents a 28-percent drop from the previous year.
Coming in second place so far this year is Honda, but that position is currently in jeopardy. The 26,016 hybrid vehicles sold by Ford in the first nine months of the year represents an impressive 73-percent gain from last year. Honda has sold 29,958 hybrids so far in '09, representing a much smaller 8-percent increase. In both July and September, Ford actually sold more hybrids than Honda.
In other words, Ford, led by its Escape Hybrid and new-for-2010 Fusion Hybrid, is gaining on Honda at a very rapid pace. Moving on down the line, General Motors slots in at number four with 12,556 total hybrid so far this year and Nissan's 7,713 units make it the number five hybrid seller in the U.S.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave R 6:38PM (10/15/2009)
If Ford would build a hybrid that got the 45mpg+ combined and could fulfil demand, they'd give Toyota a run for 1st place.
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John E. 7:28PM (10/15/2009)
It's so true but i think they will def lunch a small car that will do it.. Honda needs to stop discontinuing their hybrid cars and keep them in the market if only they put a 4 cylinders in the accord hybrid and increased the mpg to high 30s they would have a shot to compete with fusion and camry. its their fault.
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azmerf 8:03PM (10/15/2009)
Poor Honda. Those guys have totally lost their way. Starting with the 6-cyl Accord, through the whole hydrogen misstep and now with the Insight. I own a Civic and wish I could get the Fusion. I will not be surprised if they totally lose it with the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt coming down the pike.
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pax copia 1:56PM (10/16/2009)
I agree it is kind of sad since the original Honda Insight was in fact the first hybrid sold in North America and got over 70 mpg.
kcmurphy88 3:26AM (10/16/2009)
Ford would do better not using that AWFUL puke green color in all the promos. Their black, grey and dark green are much better colors and might not frighten the customers so much.
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kristospencer 3:26PM (10/16/2009)
Wow -- you've seen green puke? What have you been eating?
kcmurphy88 3:29AM (10/16/2009)
Dave, why should Ford do a "me too" car? They have the only real hybrid SUV (a real 32MPH actual LA city driving) and a better hybrid sedan than anyone. Why make an imitation Prius when you can make the perfectly fine Fusion?
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Serge 9:37AM (10/16/2009)
Short answer: market share. Ford's hybrids are quite pricey, but are leaders in their respective segments. By introducing a lower-priced model they can spread hybrid powertrain development costs to more vehicles, which lowers cost per vehicle, thereby putting Ford in the position to take a shot at #1 spot.
I vote for C-Max hybrid!
Nellydesign 9:38AM (10/16/2009)
I think there is a valid case for a Prius competitor from Ford. The new Prius gets better mileage than the Fusion but really doesn't lose any functionality or comfort vs. a sedan. Some people just want their hybrid to LOOK like a hybrid ("green" image types) and shop the Prius exclusively. Others want their car to look normal and so shop the Fusion. I think Honda failed at making a Prius competitor by compromising the driving experience for the mileage aspects. If Ford's tech could destroy the Camry Hybrid in terms of numbers and driving experience, think what they could do with a Prius competitor. Unfortunately I think they are going towards full electric cars instead.
Invisible 10:38AM (10/16/2009)
Someone has been drinking too much Ford koolaid. What's this B.S. about Ford having the only real hybrid SUV? Are you claiming the Escape is more SUV than a Tahoe, Escalade........?
nrb 11:32AM (10/16/2009)
Invisible, I think you misunderstood. It's the hybrid part that's real in the Escape. The Tahoe is more SUV than the Escape in anybody's book.
Mark Kiernan 8:32AM (10/16/2009)
I wish we had hybrids like this in Europe. I hope Ford build a decent PHEV SUV or SUT
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Serge 9:39AM (10/16/2009)
Marc, check this prototype out:
http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/ford-s-max-based-micro-turbine-plug-in-series-hybrid-w-video/
FFH owner 5:36PM (10/16/2009)
MMM... Ford Kool-aid, I like mine govt. free!
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kristospencer 4:03PM (10/16/2009)
Not sure what segment the next gen Ford hybrid will fit in, but they have announced a BEV Focus for 2011. That ought to be interesting.
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