AFSCME 3357-HOF'S BLOG

Ford Escape Hybrid to use Toyota Technology

Toyota's standing at the top of the hybrid hill was confirmed with a public press release that Ford will be using Toyota technology in its upcoming Escape Hybrid SUV. Toyota has been public in its ambitions to license the technology widely, but as far as I know, until now had no publicly announced takers.

I talked to someone at a Nissan dealership who indicated that Nissan may be the next to announce the licensing of the Toyota technology.

Ordinarily, I would criticize Ford for licensing the technology rather than developing its own, but in this case I think it is the right approach. Toyota has shown that it is at least a generation ahead of everybody else. It makes no sense to try to reinvent the wheel.

If you haven't tried out the 2004 Toyota Prius, you really should drive one. The car is amazingly good. I probably would have put my name on the waiting list the day I drove the car except that my contract with UAW-LSP prevents me from driving a non-UAW built car to work.

IHT: Ford will use Toyota's hybrid technology