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Sedans Midsize Sedans 2.0
13142 messages, Last post on Nov 08, 2009 at 7:34 PM
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Replying to: elroy5 (Dec 30, 2008 4:51 pm) From wikipedia: The Escape Hybrid uses technology similar to that used in Toyota's Prius. Ford engineers realized their technology may conflict with patents held by Toyota, which led to a 2004 patent-sharing accord between the companies, licensing Ford's use of some of Toyota's hybrid technology in exchange for Toyota's use of some of Ford's diesel and direct-injection engine technology.[9] Both Ford and Toyota state that Ford received no technical assistance from Toyota in developing the hybrid powertrain, but that some hybrid engine technologies developed by Ford independently were found to be similar to technologies previously patented by Toyota. From Businessweek.com: Ford Motor Company was THE FIRST auto manufacturer in the world to put a full hybrid SUV on the road. The Ford Escape Hybrid (and now the Mercury Mariner Hybrid) was engineered, validated and is manufactured in the United States. There is NO Toyota technology or parts in our vehicle. We received NO technical support from Toyota when designing our hybrid system. We entered into a business arrangement with Toyota where we EXCHANGED patent licences. We licensed 21 patents from Toyota because our hybrid system design was close enough in design to what Toyota did that we wanted to ensure there were no accusations of infringement. At the same time, Toyota licensed several patents from Ford for emissions technology. This was a financial transaction — one which goes on in our industry every day. This is a common business practice in today's copyright-gone-mad litigious economy. Nothing underhanded there. 
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Replying to: tenpin288 (Dec 30, 2008 5:44 pm)
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Replying to: tenpin288 (Dec 30, 2008 5:44 pm) We licensed 21 patents from Toyota because our hybrid system design was close enough in design to what Toyota did that we wanted to ensure there were no accusations of infringement. How did these two designs become so similar? Pure coincidence? None of the Ford guys knew anything about Toyota's hybrid system, or how it worked? And didn't use that knowledge, to help them along? Please Actually, why would the consumer care where the hybrid technology came from? As long as the system works. The fact that Ford people are so defensive about it, says to me, they have their own doubts, as to how original Ford's system is.
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Replying to: berri (Dec 30, 2008 6:30 pm) 1. How dare some silly American manufacturer develop a better hybrid system than Toyota? 2. Toyota has the cash to sue, Ford can't afford to get into litigation right now 3. Toyota is jealous of the F150, and might want to reskin it and sell it as the next Tundra Luckily the other Fusion models look extremely wonderful and candidates for Car of the Year from someone. I want one, and I'll take an I4 SEL if I can't get the Hybrid (I drive 90% highway anyway, paying the hybrid premium is a questionable move despite how well the Fusion Hybrid does on the highway).
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Replying to: akirby (Dec 30, 2008 11:46 am) |
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Replying to: elroy5 (Dec 30, 2008 9:50 pm) Yes, it was PURE COINCIDENCE. When two people write software that does similar functions it often turns out the same. There are only so many ways to do something. It happens ALL THE TIME - you just don't normally hear about it. You (and others) just can't bear the thought that Ford did something good - on their own - and you just have to find something to detract from that. Can we stop with all the conspiracy theories now?
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Replying to: akirby (Dec 31, 2008 10:22 am) Nope, because like you said, some just can't bear the thought of Ford doing something good. Many of them work for Toyota. 
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Replying to: bpizzuti (Dec 31, 2008 9:05 am) A proper hybrid uses a high efficiency on-board generator(pick your poison) to make electricity to charge the batteries and electric motors. There is no transmission as the car is basically an electric vehicle with a greatly extended range.
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Replying to: plekto (Dec 31, 2008 11:59 pm)
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Replying to: backy (Jan 01, 2009 5:54 am)
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