Ford Rolls Out 100,000th Hybrid SUV

Today, Ford Motor Company celebrated the production of its 100,000th hybrid SUV at the Kansas City Assembly Plant, which employs 4,100 people. The U.S. automaker launched the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner hybrid SUVs five years ago. The 2009 model year Escape and Mariner hybrids deliver 34 mpg in city driving and 31 mpg on the highway.

"As we celebrate our 100,000th hybrid, America's interest in hybrid vehicles keeps growing, as does Ford's commitment to advanced powertrain technologies that deliver greater fuel economy, lower emissions and help enhance our country's energy security," said Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford.

Ford Group U.S. Sales Plunge 40.2% in January

It appears that there's no end to the sales crisis that has hit the U.S. auto industry. In January 2009, Ford Motor Company's U.S. sales that include the Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo brands, fell to 93,506 units, a 40.2 percent decline versus a year ago (156,391 units). Volvo was the hardest hit as its January sales plunged 63.8 percent to a mere 2,910 vehicles. FoMoCo said that its inventories were 420,000 vehicles at the end of January, which is 156,000 vehicles lower than a year ago. During the past 12 months, the Ford's inventories were reduced by 27 percent which is consistent with the company's sales decline (22 percent) during this same period.

2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrids Qualify for $3,400 Tax Credit

FoMoCo has announced that the new mild-hybrid versions of the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan qualify for a $3,400 tax credit from the federal government. The American automaker claims that this is the highest credit amount ever offered for hybrids purchased or placed in service after December 31, 2005. Ford's mid-size hybrid sedans are rated at 41 mpg n the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry Hybrid by 8 mpg and 2 mpg respectively.