Mulally chooses Escape Hybrid for D.C. road trip

Ford CEO Alan Mulally has made the politically correct decision for his return trip to Washington DC this week and is skipping the company jet. In fact, he's skipping the airport altogether and hitting the road in an Escape Hybrid. It seems like it would have been better to grab one of the brand new Fusion Hybrids, but no one in Washington should be too upset at the choice of the Escape...
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budfrogS4 - 12/2/2008 12:39:03 PM

+3 Boost

Well, at least they know that Obama won't have anything to say about it since it's the same car he drives.

mercuryguy - 12/2/2008 1:14:42 PM

0 Boost

Alan should tell his crew to pack a real full size spare tire in case he gets a flat so he can change his own tire.

Cars rarely break down, Flat tires are a more common risk.

I can't imagine an importnat CEO travling with a donut spare. Not for someone that important who needs to show up on-time.

91z4me - 12/2/2008 3:04:45 PM

+2 Boost

Way to find something to bitch about.

Bmw8ter - 12/2/2008 3:08:27 PM

-2 Boost

I'd hardly call the Escape Hybrid a Ford product. It's more like a Toyota with a Ford body.

mscottc1 - 12/2/2008 4:09:09 PM

0 Boost

don't take this that I'm coming to Ford's defense here, but you're not 100% correct (or really close). Yes, Ford bought several patents from Toyota related to hybrid powertrains and battery technology, BUT, if it were really "like a Toyota with a Ford body", how come it gets so much better mileage than the previous generation Highlander hybrid? (yes, I know- they weren't even close to the same animal- the Highlander had a V6 as its gas engine vs. a unique 4cyl in the Escape)

veyron1001 - 12/2/2008 4:32:46 PM

-1 Boost

Way to make a douche of yourself. No shit last generation products (usually) has worse technology than a current generation.

91z4me - 12/2/2008 6:15:25 PM

+1 Boost

The engine, transmission, and all electronics to the Escape hybrid are Ford designs. Ford's independently developed equipment was very similar to Toyota's already patented equipment so Ford did the right thing and payed Toyota for the patents, as opposed to risking a costly lawsuit by possibly infringing on Toyota's patents. NOTHING on an Escape is Toyota technology or parts!

91z4me - 12/2/2008 6:18:56 PM

+1 Boost

I know that wikipedia isn't the most accurate source but it nicely summarizes the relationship b/t the two companies.

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

mscottc1 - 12/2/2008 3:56:25 PM

+2 Boost

biggest beef with any Escape (for me) has always been the seats. sold my sister one 4 years ago & drove it down to her (9-hour drive)- I was sore for days after that. The seats in the Focus I had 7 years ago were FAR better- could drive the same distance without much difficulty. Granted I'm now used to BMW seats...

91z4me - 12/2/2008 6:16:26 PM

+3 Boost

I find the 08 Escape seats quite comfortable for an SUV. I prefer sporty and grippy seats in sports cars but that is me.

mercuryguy - 12/3/2008 1:15:44 PM

+1 Boost

I can see that the Escape Seat position would be very uncomfortable.

Ford seems to build really nice, high quality seats sometimes, but then build cheap ones for various models.

My 89 Aerostar had nice seats, My 94 Aerostar had even nicer seats. then my 2000 Windstar had average seats.