California Activist Buys First Hybrid Ford Escape September 2004

A California environmental activist on Wednesday became the first customer to take delivery of a Ford Escape Hybrid.

Ford Motor Co. is hoping to sell 20,000 of the vehicles in the first model year. The small SUV has a manufacturer's suggested base price of $26,380 for front-wheel-drive and $28,005 for four-wheel-drive. Conventional six-cylinder gas-powered Escapes start at $22,955.

Ford spokeswoman Gina Bonacchi said potential hybrid buyers "want to help the environment and they like that fact that it's a more fuel-efficient vehicle."

The first buyer, Bill Hammons, is president of the San Diego Electric Vehicle Association. He previously owned two Ford electric vehicles: a Ranger EV compact pickup and a Think small car. Hybrids use a gas engine and an electric motor and do not need to be plugged in.

The front-wheel-drive Escape Hybrid has EPA mileage ratings of 36 m.p.g. city and 31 m.p.g. highway. It achieved 33.3 m.p.g. in a 300-mile test conducted by the Free Press this spring along Detroit-area roads and highways.

SOURCE: Detroit Free Press

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