Ford announced today that it would be licensing Toyota’s hybrid technology for use in its Escape and other vehicles. This is good news for Toyota, but a very large failure on Ford’s part.
Many of the large auto manufacturers have been arguing against higher emission standards claiming that it was too difficult to improve auto emissions in such a short period of time. I feel that this is all bullshit. Licensing Toyota’s hybrid engine technology is just another cop out on Ford’s part, who should have both the R&D and intelligence to create improved technology. Instead, it appears that all of their R&D has gone in to making the F-150 trucks appear taller, the Explorer more massive, and the profit margin on the Expedition higher ($15,000 per vehicle).
My disappointment stems from a belief that higher environmental standards will incite rapid technological change. Though harboring some Luddite tendencies, I believe that we’re quite ingenious, and are fully capable of engineering to the task. We’ve been making efficient engines for 2 decades, so we’ve got a fair number of examples to work from.
Unless Ford has some big plans for a post-hybrid engine, its shooting itself in the foot. Or maybe a better example; its making a giant SUV that will decapitate the passengers in its hybrid vehicles.
though I agree that Ford should do some of their own damn research, I still think that this better than doing nothing (though they have been doing it for 20 years). Its at least a step in the right direction.
All I can say is that I really hate american car companies!
amen to that, Andy
yeah for hybrids,
and i think that SUV’s, their owner’s and their maker’s should all rot it hell.
Why do you do this Andy? You know I can’t resist commenting on this! I hate to stick up for Ford a little (I HATE them!), but look at the big picture if you’re Ford: Do you continue to pump out pollution hog vehicles that people line up in record numbers to buy at $15000 profit per, or do you invest heavily in energy efficient technology that next to nobody will buy, that can be bought off the shelf instead for a fraction of the cost because the forward-thinking Japanese already did the engineering, and that may or may not be compatible with whatever infrastructure ends up being put into place to replace gas.
Which brings me to my point: Ford can definitely take a lot of the blame for their laziness. But blame John Q. Consumer also. If the demand side of the whole supply/demand equation wasn’t “HUGE EXPENSIVE GAS GUZZLING ROLL-CRAZY SUV”, then I suppose Ford would probably be forced to do something efficient. Gotta run.
I was hoping (expecting) you to weigh in on the matter. I’m just expressing my disappointment.
Like I said, the only thing that could make this a redeemable action by Ford is if they did have something planned for the post-hybrid market. I’m skeptical though, because its usually the Japanese companies that have long-range plans that exceed the 10-20 years of most American companies.
I’m actually more impressed with the Japanese companies’ increased interest in gas electric hybrid powretrains. They’re looking to them even in sports cars. And they’re even making high power hybrids. Right now all you can get is a wimpy, ugly car with a hybrid in it (I’m not thrilled with the new looks of the civic). Soon there will be a near 400hp Mitsu Eclipse (between the V-6 and the hybrid backup) that gets better mileage than the current model. Subaru’s new roadster will soon see hybrid trim. Lots of good things in that respect. People are still craving power. Automakers are trying to deliver. Japanese automakers are trying to do it cleanly and creatively.
And that’s what I’m talking about. That R&D equals jobs for us. I’m just disappointed by the outsource mentality that seems so pervesive amongs companies here. This is just another example.
I hear that. On the other hand, that’s not our niche. Why should the domestic car makers build a quality car? Isn’t Europe and Japan already doing that? Yup. So need to find something that we can do that they can’t as well: Volume. Our automotive industry is second to only Korea’s in the ability to pump out insane amounts of sheer crap. But it’s cheap and that’s the niche: We’ll sell you a car for less because we make so many, but it’ll suck. For the vast majority that would rather pay way less for a car that sucks, this sounds like a great idea (this, of course, ignoring the majority that actually WANT a certain type of this crap and pay top dollar for it despite needing no offroad capabilities, skyrocketing gas prices, and global warming).
Nah, screw R&D, the “do no R&D and produce tons of crap” mentality creates even MORE jobs stateside. If only those jobs hadn’t ALSO been outsourced abroad….