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Article: Ford Escape Hybrid: OK, but it's no Prius; Factory adds incentives, adjusts distribution.(News)
- Article from:
- Automotive News
- Article date:
- March 13, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 Crain Communications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Amy Wilson
Ford Motor Co. has increased spending on advertising and discounts to market the Ford Escape Hybrid SUV in 2006.
Ford generally has done well with the low-volume Escape Hybrid since its introduction in 2004. Production is limited, and the vehicles move off dealership lots much faster than gasoline-powered Escapes.
But sales have been slower than anticipated in some markets, such as the Northeast, according to some dealers and sources close to the program. Ford is experimenting with incentives and fine-tuning distribution, they say.
Ford and dealers don't "have a handle'' on the regional differences in demand, said ...