The Ford Expedition has been having trouble selling lately. With gas prices soraring, US sales of the SUV fell 29.8 percent (in May) from last year. And the SUV is spending a lot more time on the lot at 82 days.
In the meantime, hybrid versions of the Tahoe and GMC Yukon, as well as the Dodge Durango are due out in the fall of 2007 and in 2008, respectively. With promises of 25% increase in fuel economy (moving them into the mid 20's range for mpg), Ford is feeling the pressure. Read more on GMs two-mode hybrid system developed in a partnership with DaimlerChrysler and BMW.
And so, Ford is looking to improve the Expedition with either a hybrid engine or turning it into a diesel. The biggest problem is time and cost. The diesel would be quicker and cheaper to build. The hybrid would need to be a rear-wheel drive hybrid powertrain transmission, something Ford doesn't have at the moment. If they started development today, it might take 3 to 4 years to complete. But Ford could buy the powertrain directly from GM, instead. And GM is willing to sell. They will begin production in Baltimore
But I wonder if that's what Ford will do. Given Bill Ford's backtracking on their hybrid promises yesterday, I wonder if they'll go the diesel route instead, despite any issues with more stringent exhast laws.
Source: An Expedition that doesn't guzzle? - AutoWeek
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Ford is looking to improve the Expedition using diesel or hybrid technology
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2 comments:
A diesel SUV is what the oil-price-hike-stricken Americans like us badly needs.
There are a lot of people who would agree with you. The problem is the price tag. To switch over to diesel and hybrid tech in one car would put an inordinate price tag onto the car.
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