Hybrid trucks = fail.

 

I think the whole concept is pretty good. Anything to get us away from foreign oil. But I do not like being around a hybrid at an accident scene. What a mess. More land mines for first responders to deal with.

 

Count on the rusted out frames and sticking throttles.

 

A 25 mpg highway rating is easily obtainable. I had a '91 C1500 Chevy Scotsdale Ext Cab with a 4.3L, 5 spd transmission, short bed, AM/FM cassette, cruise, tilt, AC and P235/75-15 tires. I don't remember what the EPA rating was but I regularly received 25 mpg with cruise set at 60 mph.

We may have to lower the speed limits again but better gas mileage is obtainable without going Hybrid.

 

For a Technical Article Contributor I figured you of all people would be into it.

Hmmm okay fair enough.

Ford has be using Toyota Hybred technology for years now. Its in the Escape and Fusion Hybred. The same technology is found in the Nissan Altima Hybred. Even VW / Group (Audi and Porcshe) are going be to using Toyota / Lexus Hybreds in their Volkswagen Touareg, Audi Q7 and Porsche SUV.

Its a smart move on Fords part joining with Toyota. It will better position them in the future against competitors.


I'm not saying anyone has to buy one. But you have to admire Ford for trying something new.

 

Ford does not now, nor have they EVER used Toyota's hybrid technology. No, no no!!!

Here is a good explanation from someone "in the know" with Ford: Linky. Post #26 if it doesn't go directly to it.

This new JV can prove to be great things for both companies, allowing them both to develop better drivetrains at a lower cost for consumers. In the end, this type of partnership will be necessary for all of us truck lovers to continue driving trucks at a reasonable cost in the future...thanks to the feds unrealistic fuel economy standards.

 

Fordmantpw, I should have worded this better from my previous post.

Ford does have their own system but its licensed from Toyota. (Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_Synergy_Drive


Either way I think Ford made a smart move.

 

Ford developed their own system, and before it went to production, saw that it was very similar to Toyota's.. So, in order to keep things on the "up and up", and to avoid patent lawsuits, Ford contacted Toyota. There was some patent exchange that went on due to the similarities. Again, Ford DOES NOT use Toyota's system...it is ALL Ford, just very similar to Toyota's.

This was the first gen in the Escape. The second gen and Fusion are not as closely related (and I don't think "licensed" from Toyota any more), and gen 3 (coming) will be even more different from Toyota's.

I agree though, I think this will be great for Ford and Toyota.

 

^ great info Fordmantpw, too many people read the headlines and assume Ford is using toyota tech, not true. Ford system is way better. Look into any auto review and Ford system is seamless when transitioning from hybrid to gas. Just look at how much better the Fusion hybrid is to camrys whether its MPG or fit and finish. I know 99% of the general public will just say Ford is using toyota tech with this JV. Very frustrating because people can't believe an American company can compete with the asians.

 

I think the idea of a hybrid leaves my thoughts on where and how the batteries are going to be disposed of or if they are going to be recycled.....as pointed out in a post before what about the haz mat consequences resulting from an accident?

I see it as a positive approach but yet hindered by drawbacks.....

 

A Toyota and Ford collaboration to make hybrid is cool but i would never buy one i much rather have a good ol' V8. To all of the Toyota truck haters my dad has a 2006 Tundra (Old body style) and he loves his truck and uses it as his work truck it has 150,000 problem free miles and has zero rust. It handles the loaded 7,000 lb work trailer perfectly...... But the f150 is still a superior truck.

 

A lot of you guys are gonna be disappointed in the future when gasoline powered V8's go by the wayside.

It's in Ford's best interest to start development now, 2 heads are better than 1, or so I'm told anyway.

 

fx4 for lifes 07 (iirc) tundra i was shocked. it already had rust on the bed and we live in texas. rarely see a rusted vehicle here.

toyota's are awesome, but IMO they should have stuck to what they knew and dominated and that's the small truck market.

 

A friend of mine will disagree with you - he had a Camry that he traded in on a Fusion and he says the Camry had much better fit and finish. He's quite disappointed.

 

the key to fuel economy is technology. Sure you can get 35 mpg in a old Corolla. But anything under 50mpg is laughable in Europe. A brand-new 3-cyl diesel over there gets around 75 mpg city. Lots of technology needed to get that.

And nothing different than getting in a wreck with your truck. I know I'm talking blasphemy here, but the Prius has better crash test rating and better airbag protection than your truck. Apart from being cautious from the battery lines running up the A-pillar and the Jaws of Life, I've pulled a few people out of several Priuses' no problem.

F&F has never been Ford's forte. MotorTrend did a cover comparison of the Fusion hybrid and the Camry hybrid a few months back and that was one thing they mentioned. But the Fusion was all around better.

On a side note, should I take a picture of the plastics in my parent's 2006 Toyota Solara that are falling apart? Or mention that it has has THREE water pumps and it only has 120,000 miles on it.