Ford Lio Ho to introduce Escape Hybrid into Taiwan

Taipei, March 24, 2005 (CENS)--Taiwan's Ford Lio Ho Motor Co., which locally makes and markets Ford cars, has decided to import the hybrid (gasoline and electric) version of Ford Escape sport utility vehicle (SUV) model into Taiwan next year, and will also mull locally producing the model for exports to other Asian markets.

Jeffery Shen, president of Ford Lio Ho, said that his company would first introduce high-tech, innovative and technology-leading products to the domestic automobile market in a bid to further upgrade the image of Ford car brands. Ford Lio Ho also plans to launch locally-made diesel-engine sedan models next year, including the Mondeo Metrostar and Focus.

In line with the rising environment-protection awareness, Shen said that the Ford Group will introduce five hybrid car models in the next three years. He added that Ford Lio Ho would try to find some local suppliers of key parts and batteries to jointly develop the locally-produced hybrid Escape.

According to Shen, Ford Lio Ho has gradually transformed into a production center in Ford's Asia deployment scheme and will begin exporting Taiwan-made Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute (twin-burn model) to Japan and other nations in the Asia-Pacific region. Ford Lio Ho also has the chance to become Ford's first plant outside the U.S. to produce hybrid-version Escape, Shen added.

Shen said, however, that the biggest barrier to higher popularity of hybrid cars still lies in price. An imported hybrid Escape is priced at NT$1.5 million (US$48,701 at US$1: NT$30.8) including taxes, much higher than a locally produced counterpart with traditional gasoline engine.

Ford Lio Ho is scheduled to import the hybrid Escape, equipped with a 2,300cc gasoline engine, a 330V motor powered by nickel-hydrogen battery with maximum power output of 94 horsepower (hp), and the eCVT (e-continuos variable transmission) to achieve energy-saving and low-emission effects.

The hybrid model will be powered by the electric motor if the speed is under 40 kilometer per hour (mph) and by gasoline engine in case of over 40 mph. The model's brake system can generate electricity and recycle the power into batteries.