Is Ford resigning its hybrid vehicle program?

From Hybridcarblog.com

Ford's head of hybrid programs, Mary Ann Wright, gave her resignation on Friday according to the AP. A strong proponent of Ford's hybrids, Mrs. Wright, had often stated that clean vehicles were a lifelong passion. "Recycling and reusing were not just fads for us...they were a way of life that I still practice today, from being a vegan to not buying products that have been tested on animals," Mrs. Wright once said about her background. "But, beyond the personal choices I make in my everyday life, I have channeled my love of the environment into my profession...which, for me, is the ultimate high."

So what does it mean for Ford's hybrid vehicles when their leader gives up the "ultimate high"? While one can only speculate, it is obvious that Ford isn't nearly as bullish on hybrids as Toyota is, for example. Toyota will produce more hybrids this year than Ford plans to produce in 2010.

Was this the source of Mrs. Wright's angst? Was Ford failing to live up to her expectations?

It will be interesting to see if Ford's new hybrid head, Nancy Gioia, will make any strong statments about the future of Ford's hybrid program to squash any negative speculation about Mrs. Wright's departure.