Mercury Mariner Hybrid saves the environment on July 11.

I was forwarded a press release for the July 11 launch of the Mercury Mariner hybrid penned by Ford's Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid program director, Mary Ann Wright, which almost had nothing to do with the Mercury Mariner hybrid. In fact, it's reminiscent of Ford's current CEO, whom constantly speaks of his environmental passion, yet his company is consistently ranked as one of the least environmentally friendly auto companies.

"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," Mr. Wright tells us 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."

While Ford has done an excellent job with the Ford Escape hybrid, and the Mercury Mariner hybrid is sure to please, 50,000 hybrid vehicles is but a tiny sliver of Ford automobile sales. Ford can do much better.

The truth is, Ford is not an environmentally friendly company. To be fair, even Toyota, king of hybrid cars, really isn't a very environmentally friendly auto company either. Nonetheless, Ford will probably sell about 50,000 hybrids next year, Toyota aims to sell 500,000 hybrids next year.

It's great that Ford employees love the environment...perhaps, one day, Ford Corporation will also love the environment. Until then, Ford should stick to talking about the quality of their hybrid SUVs - which is great - instead of their love for the environment.

--> Comment / Blog this

Hybrid Car Buyer's Guide: Which hybrid vehicle is best for you?
If you are not sure which hybrid vehicle best meets your needs, use our Buyer's Guide (more)

> The importance of hybrid technology

> Hybrid hype: Toyota to double hybrid production

> Senate approves tax credits for hybrid cars

> Toyota hybrids on track and in line with fuel cell vehicles

> J.D. Power gets bullish on hybrids

> 500 mpg hybrid vehicles

> The 'Buy Now' price on eBay averages a staggering $47,000 for the Highlander hybrid

> Is Toyota going to raise the price of the Prius and Highlander hybrid?

> Hybrids, Biofuels and the Coming Energy Crisis

(More hybrid news)

Hybrids like this Toyota Highlander hybrid are needed to reduce foreign oil needs. Buy a hybrid car today. The Highlander hybrid will be available next month.

Interested in buying a hybrid car?

Current Hybrids

-Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV

-Ford Escape Hybrid SUV

-Lexus RX400h Hybrid SUV

-Honda Accord Hybrid Car

-Honda Civic Hybrid Car

-Honda Insight Hybrid Car

-Toyota Prius Hybrid Car

-GM Silverado Hybrid Pick Up (Mild)

Is the Edmunds Hybrid Vehicle Cost Study Senseless?

Big Oil profits $23 billion in the first 3 months of the year.

-------- More

ON THE ROAD

+ Ford Escape Hybrid Test Drive

+ Honda Accord Hybrid Test Drive

+ Toyota Prius Test Drive

+ Head to head: Prius and the Escape hybrid match up

Tax Credits
for
hybrid vehicles might NOT be around much longer!

More

Future Hybrid Cars

2006 Model Hybrids
Hyundai Accent
Kia Rio
Toyota Camry
Toyota Highlander
Mercury Mariner
Saturn Vue

2007 Model Hybrids
Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet Tahoe
GMC Yukon
Mazda Tribute
Nissan Altima

And Beyond
Chevy Silverado
Ford Five Hundred
Ford Freestyle
Ford Fusion
GMC Sierra
Lexus GS 450h
Mercury Milano
Toyota FCHV

Is the best hybrid vehicle, a flex-fuel plug-in hybrid? (more)

More Hybrid Car Stories

Cost, cost, cost
> The reality of fuel cells drives hybrid vehicles

Corrupt politics
> Hybrid cars and marijuana

Nissan hybrids
> Nissan wants to sell 50,000 Altima hybrids

Don't believe the cynics
> Hybrid car cost controversy: You can save money

Not yet a recall
> Feds to investigate Prius for alleged stalling problem

California dreaming
> Schwarzenegger paves way to hybrid cars?

Sad, but true
> No Cheap Way Around Buying a Hybrid Car

Supply and demand
> The state of hybrid vehicle demand

Foreign-oil dependency rising
> Buy a hybrid or other fuel efficient vehicle

Hybrid cars
> The costs of being an early adopter

Representin' da peeps
> Senate passes on fuel efficiency

California Dreaming
> Prices on hybrid vehicles in Southern California

Why a hybrid?
> 23 Billion reasons to buy a hybrid

Toyota's next hybrid
> Camry hybrid will be built in Kentucky starting in 2006

Toyota software upgrade
> Is the Toyota Prius stopping or stalling on the highway?

Home brewed
> Fuel your Prius and other hybrid vehicles from home

Using the web
> Buying a new or used hybrid on the Internet

Hybrid Shopping
> Resale value of Prius slowing?

Toyota's newest hybrid
> Will the Camry hybrid lead to cheaper hybrids?

A real hybrid competitor?
> Hyundai takes on hybrid vehicles

Toyota's hybrid sales sizzling
> Prius triples year-ago sales

It is cleaner
> Plug-in hybrid cars and electricity emissions

It's the Future
> Detroit's problem with hybrid cars

What's Next?
> New Hybrid Cars Hitting the market Next Year

Tax Incentives for Oil Drilling?
> Big Oil Profits $23 billion in 3 months

Let's get with it
> The government's SUV bias

Hybrid tax credits
> Just "tinkering around the edges"?

American automakers
> Detroit must accept hybrid vehicles

Bio-diesel hybrids
> Why you should fire your Congressperson

Strong Forecast for the future
> R.L. Polk's hybrid car report

The Cost of Oil
> Higher gas prices changing America

Hybrids
> A battery away from total domination

Hybrid battles
> Are Prius lovers Lexus hybrid haters?

What's the truth?
> EPA estimates, hybrid efficiency, and the "gas scare"

Interested in a hybrid?> Better buy now.

New Poll:
> Significant growth in hybrid car interest

Hybrid power
> The synergy of hybrid cars and solar power

The 2005 hybrid story
> Year of the Hybrid Car

Hybrid car sales
> Toyota versus Honda

Hybrid car future?
> Hybrids all about fuel cells according to Toyota

Foreign Oil
> The Prius is about America, not the environment

Interim, or permanent, technology
> Where are hybrid cars going?

Hybrid cars
> EPA stickers and mountain driving

Automotive Innovation?
> The great GM failure.

The greatest hybrid niche?
> Where are the American-made hybrid trucks?

Hybrid SUVs
> Good or Bad?

$50 Barrels of oil
> Will it affect hybrid car demand

Consumer Reports > How reliable are hybrid cars?

Toyota's belief in hybrid cars
> It's all about kaizen

Hybrids or fuel cells
> Honda hybrid cars and the future

More Hybrid Vehicle Stories >> Click here.

Hybrid Car Club

Stay informed. Join the hybrid revolution Now!

Join
Help make a difference. Soultek.com is part of the 1X1Power.com network. -> Join our newsletter. -> Join our blog.	Additional Resources -> Contact Us -> Advertising