Ford Motor Co.'s high-profile head of hybrid programs is leaving the auto maker, at a time when Ford is relying heavily on its gas-electric hybrid-vehicle program to help turn around its struggling automotive operations.
Mary Ann Wright, Ford's director of hybrid programs and chief engineer on the Ford Escape Hybrid, put in her resignation Friday morning. She is one of many senior managers to recently exit Ford, which in the midst of a corporate restructuring that is to be detailed early next year.
This might be the long reach of Wayne Gerdes. We'll see if she joins GM now.
R2-E2, 2G Prius.
Highway/City/Husband/Wife MPG: 56.5, as of 12/2005, 26K miles
Jac Nasser, Ford President: "We are planning to launch a hybrid version of
this car [P2000] within this year [1998]. We will also make FCEV available in
2004."
I think one of the sleepers in the hybrid market will end up being Yamaha. Ford and Yamaha have a long relationship. If memory suites me, Yamaha helped both Honda and Toyota in F1 racing 10+ years ago, and they always seem to be quitely working on something new. Maybe she might go with Yamaha? It'll be cool to see where she stops next.
When I was shopping for my hybrid, the bank qualified me for a Ford Escape. But the $600/mo. payment was more than I thought my budget could handle. Instead, I bought a used, 2003 Prius and the $300/mo car payment works. Better still, the $30-40/mo. fuel savings over the Ford Escape helps too.
What doesn't make sense is Ford had 'family plan' pricing on all but two vehicles this year: (1) Mustang and (2) Escape hybrid. Mary Ann did good!
Head of Hybrid Programs to Leave Ford
And Ford did such a commendable job putting out the FEH!
