Ford And GM Hybrid Cars

Ford Fusion Hybrid

Hybrid cars beginning came to be through Japanese and European car manufacturer. US auto manufacturers only begun their own versions of these fuel-efficient models in the 1990s, after the United States government looked for the help of American car makers Ford, GM (General Motors) and DaimlerChrysler in the conception of a new hybrid car model that its best fit with the American way of life and budget.

Ford was reportedly the first US auto maker to bring in a model hybrid car into the industry, coming at a really competitive time since about six Japanese companies were introduction their own hybrid versions on the time. Ford’s first hybrid car saw its first infant come out in September 2004, via the Escape SUV Hybrid model.

Ford Hybrid Cars

Ford had been anticipated to release its first hybrid car in 2003, which keeps going both electric motor and fuel. As mentioned earlier, its first entry was the Ford Escape in 2004, which boasted of emitting less than a pound of smog contents for every 15,000 miles the vehicle runs. This is a great improvement considering that traditional light trucks emit around 105 pounds of smog pollutants for the same 15,000-mile length. Even regular cars produce 67 pounds!

Ford had no bother selling the Escape hybrid model because it was designed as an SUV, which most American consumers choose. And because Ford’s hybrid cars work the equal as regular SUVs, they carry a greater consumerist appeal, compared to the Japanese hybrid cars which look rather compact and tiny.

GM’s Hybrid Cars

General Motors’ first hybrid vehicles were the Silverado and the Sierra, both of which were released also in 2004. From then on, sales of both hybrid models sold almost effortlessly, with

GM’s production volumes rising to 2,000 in 2005 and expanding a lot further this year to accommodate a much wider national clientele. GM expects to roll out 3,000 units each for Sierra and Silverado before the year ends.

A new hybrid GM car will also be introduced this year — the Saturn VUE, and the company is also preparing to launch the new hybrid version of the Chevrolet Malibu in 2006.

To date, it still cannot be said that American hybrid car manufacturers like Ford and GM have already come up to par with their European and Japanese counterparts. However, it is safe to say that they are trying and, so far, the results have been satisfactory. Ford and GM are definitely on their way to becoming US powerhouses in the hybrid car manufacture.

Of course, when we discuss price, it’s another story. Since hybrid cars are not so prevailing as traditional ones just yet, they do attach to quite a hefty price tag. It is only hoped that over the course of time and as interests shift toward a more environmentally-friendly world, hybrid cars will become more of a average than a novelty. There is so much to gain with the birth of hybrid cars. It is good to know that America already has one foot in the door.

By: Shavennah