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.
