Ford Hopes to Finally Make Money Selling Hybrid Cars

Ford's director of sustainable mobility technologies and hybrid vehicles, Nancy Gioia, believes Ford will start making money on hybrid cars this year. Since production started back in 2004, Ford has cut 30 percent of the cost.

With those cuts in place and with the release of two new hybrid sedans this year, Gioia believes Ford hybrids will become profitable.

Improvements have come through better batteries, upgrades to the electrical system and less complex controls. Also, increased volume will cut the price on the hybrid transmission, since the Escape, Mariner, Tribute, Fusion and Milan will all share the same basic powertrain and battery pack.

Ford is also hoping to scale down on the engine size using their Ford EcoBoost system.

Source: Gioia: Ford hybrids will be profitable this year - Automotive News