- #157 of 1054
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Re: release date? [akirby]
by coldcranker
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Jan 12, 2009 (2:58 pm)
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Replying to: akirby (Jan 12, 2009 9:35 am)
The main point to consider here is the Ford Fusion Hyb will be a roomier, better handling, better steering, tougher alternative to the Toy Prius. Also, remember you can go up to 47 mph in the Fusion Hyb on electric power only, beating the Prius yet again. (One thing Toyotas, and the Prius is no exception, gets criticized for repeatedly is their numb, lifeless steering feel. I confirmed that common complaint after driving a couple of models. Toyota falls very short in that important driver experience.)
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- #158 of 1054
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Re: release date? [coldcranker]
by akirby
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Jan 12, 2009 (3:17 pm)
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Replying to: coldcranker (Jan 12, 2009 2:58 pm)
The other thing to question is - if they can get such great mileage out of the Prius - why is the Camry hybrid so low? That's the real comparison for the FFH, not the Prius.
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- #159 of 1054
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Re: release date? [akirby]
by coldcranker
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Jan 12, 2009 (3:30 pm)
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Replying to: akirby (Jan 12, 2009 3:17 pm)
Right, the Fusion Hybrid handily beats the Camry Hyb in MPG, and is styled better as well in my opinion. Car and Driver, Feb. 2009 issue has the Ford Fusion Hybrid handling better, too. Toyota is so far taking a back seat to Ford. We'll see if the next Camry improves, because it needs to.
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- #160 of 1054
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Re: release date? [coldcranker]
by kdhspyder
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Jan 12, 2009 (3:42 pm)
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Replying to: coldcranker (Jan 12, 2009 3:30 pm)
True this. With the FFH Ford has just hit an overhead smash into Toyota's court..it's up to them to react or lose the point.
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- #161 of 1054
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by texases
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Jan 12, 2009 (3:49 pm)
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A smash, yes, if Ford can make enough of them...
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- #162 of 1054
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Re: [texases]
by gagrice
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Jan 12, 2009 (5:40 pm)
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Replying to: texases (Jan 12, 2009 3:49 pm)
if Ford can make enough of them...
You can bet that Toyota will do everything in their power to undermine the parts supply as they did with the Escape Hybrid. They had common suppliers if memory serves me. And Ford claimed they were being held up by Toyota.
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- #163 of 1054
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Re: [gagrice]
by bpizzuti
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Jan 12, 2009 (5:45 pm)
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Replying to: gagrice (Jan 12, 2009 5:40 pm)
That could actually be a great piece of PR if Toyota sinks that low. However, it sounds as if a couple of new battery manufacturers are coming on-line in the States (well, assemblers maybe).
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- #164 of 1054
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Re: [bpizzuti]
by kdhspyder
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Jan 12, 2009 (6:23 pm)
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Replying to: bpizzuti (Jan 12, 2009 5:45 pm)
AFAIK Ford still has to use the same Japanese suppliers it did in the past for the near term. But...it has already signed a supply agreement with Johnson Controls/SAFT of France to be their main client. When it comes on stream is anybody's guess. I'd say 18 months for full production for Ford alone.
Oh, and who said that business needed to be fair? The business I know is kill, maim and crush...but do it with a smile and a handshake.
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- #165 of 1054
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Re: [kdhspyder]
by bpizzuti
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Jan 12, 2009 (6:26 pm)
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Replying to: kdhspyder (Jan 12, 2009 6:23 pm)
Oh, and who said that business needed to be fair? The business I know is kill, maim and crush...but do it with a smile and a handshake.
Actually, I've always thought of it as more of a football game. You can get away with murder so long as the refs don't throw the yellow flag. Then you're gonna get penalized.
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- #166 of 1054
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Re: [kdhspyder]
by akirby
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Jan 13, 2009 (6:21 am)
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Replying to: kdhspyder (Jan 12, 2009 6:23 pm)
I believe they're using a different battery supplier for the FFH (Sanyo??). They're still constrained by battery capacity though.
How many TCHs did Toyota sell last year?
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