Ford Shows New Fusion Hybrid To Tulsa

Chris Howell, NewsOn6.com

TULSA,OK -- Representatives of the Ford Motor Company were in Tulsa Wednesday to show off the company's 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid.  Mayor Kathy Taylor took a ride and Bill Knight, of Bill Knight Ford, thinks the city may want to purchase some of the Ford Fusion Hybrids for its fleet.

"We've ordered 70 Escape Hybrids for the city of Tulsa," said Knight.  "They have the CNG truck that's on order and is probably already here, so they've not only talked about being part of the green movement but already are. They've had great luck with our Escape hybrid and I anticipate it won't be long until they are driving some of our Fusion Hybrids as well."

Anand Sankaran is manager of Ford's Hybrid Propulsion Systems and believes Ford's research with emerging technologies like the hybrid, electric, diesel and flex-fuel vehicles will keep the company competitive in the world automobile market.

"We believe that all of these technologies have potential," said Dr. Sankaran.  "Some of them may do better in the near term, but in the long-term it's hard to predict that one will win over the other. Therefore we continue to work on all of these technologies, but we think that hybrid has a place to play and it has some outstanding characteristics that will be useful for certain segments of the customers."

Bill Knight is happy that the Ford folks in Dearborn, Michigan are giving him competitive vehicles to sell.

"To have this vehicle, 41 mile per gallon, highest miles per gallon of any 4-door sedan on the planet at that size, and really give us a car that's absolutely competitive with Camry and Honda Accord, it makes us proud to be a Ford dealer right now," Knight said.