Ford drops hybrid markup (prices Lincoln MKZ hybrid same as gas version)

[Bozita]

Source: Detroit News

Last Updated: July 22. 2010 1:00AM
Ford drops hybrid markup
Automaker prices Lincoln MKZ same as gas version
Alisa Priddle / The Detroit News


Ford Motor Co. is throwing down a competitive gauntlet by becoming the first automaker to offer a hybrid, its new Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, for the same price as the gasoline version. The midsize sedan goes on sale this fall.

Other hybrids charge buyers a premium over the gas version.

Ford's move comes as automakers race to expand their lineups with cleaner and greener vehicles, frugal consumers pay more attention to fuel costs, and the federal government imposes stricter fuel economy standards.

"It's very big news and I give Ford thumbs up for making it happen," said James Bell, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book in Irvine, Calif.

Read more: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100722/AUTO01/7220346/Ford-drops-hybrid-markup#ixzz0uRNaboIR

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Hope the other manufacturers follow suit.

[Deep13]

2. Ford has been on fire lately.

My friend traded in his smoke-belching, ancient, full-size station wagon that he bought for $100 last year under the cash-for-clunkers program. They gave him $3000 in trade-in value toward a Ford Fusion hybrid that gets something like 50 m.p.g.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. Their stock has been on fire too.

[KeepItReal]

11. Very savy!

<eom>

[MurrayDelph]

13. Never use the words

"Ford" and "fire" in the same sentence.

(And before anybody jumps on the joke, I own stock in Ford...)

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. Aka incorporating tax breaks into sales price?

[eringer]

5. Ford Has a Better Idea

The folks at Ford have learned their lesson. The oil companies are not their friends nor their customers. In fact, the oil companies don't give a damn about the car companies and were diving their prices toward $5/gallon before McCain lost the election. Its sweet payback time now for Ford. Let the oil companies squirm in their seats for a while.

[Lightning Count]

6. This may be a reaction to the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt. nt

[glinda]

7. I think this is cool! They are giving their Company back the American reputation.

[AllyCat]

8. 41 mph? That beats even my little car! Imagine if they could hybridize even the small

cars...they'd probably get 60-75 mph.

[Roland99]

9. Wish more SUVs/minivans were hybrids

I now have 6 people in my family....


my gf's Impala is some cramped quarters. :)

[tinrobot]

10. I love my Hybrid Escape

Best car I've ever owned.

[fujiyama]

12. Those Lincolns are pretty nice

and it's very cool that the hybrid version is the same as the regular.

They're still pricey though. Hopefully they'll have some nice hybrids under $20k soon.

[Javaman]

14. Wouldn't it be more like, that they dropped the price of the gas version

and now it's the same price as the hybrid?

It's still 36 freaking thousand dollars!

That's 1/3 the price of my home.

[DainBramaged]

15. And the cost differential is written off as 'publicity' costs

And I doubt few if any DUers will be buying a $35,000 Lincoln which is competing in the luxury class. When Toyoda or Honda price their hybrids without all of the add on power junk and fluff, and comparable to the Corolla and Civic, that's news worthy of praise.

[Gold Metal Flake]

17. Aw. Poor widdle GM got scooped.

Actually pushing imports over a US manufacturer. I see it's really only about GM for you. At long last, in the final analysis, it's GM first, last and always even over American. Wow. All of that pro-domestic puffery over all of these years was just a beard.

And the cost differential is written off as 'publicity' costs
Posted by DainBramaged
And I doubt few if any DUers will be buying a $35,000 Lincoln which is competing in the luxury class. When Toyoda or Honda price their hybrids without all of the add on power junk and fluff, and comparable to the Corolla and Civic, that's news worthy of praise.

[Gold Metal Flake]

16. Wow. Up to 47MPH on the electric alone!

http://www.lincoln.com/mkz/2011mkzhybrid.asp

*EPA-estimated 41 city/36 hwy/39 combined mpg. Actual mileage will vary.

"Lincoln hybrid technology pairs a nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) battery with a 2.5L Atkinson-cycle I-4 hybrid engine, providing a combined 191 hp. The vehicle operates in electric mode when traveling up to 47 mph-the best top speed in its class.** The traditional combustion engine takes over once 47 mph is reached, and also steps in if more power is needed at lower speeds."

"MKZ Hybrid is projected to get more than 700 city miles on a single tank of gas, making it the most fuel-efficient luxury car in America."

This midsize would get better mileage than my 2.0 Focus on my commute. It would have more room and might get the same mileage on trips as our Corolla. It starts at $35,180 which is way outta my price range.

[Touchdown]

18. It looks very nice!