billyk24

The USA has different testing methods in determining vehicle MPG. European testing results produce significantly greater MPG figures. USA emission standards are tougher than the Euro standards and the diesel engines will not meet the USA standards.

The first generation Escape Hybrid (2005-08) had coolant lines running (there is a second radiator for this system) into the hybrid battery pack to manage heat. These coolant liines sometimes developed a crack. For extreme cold, these vehicles underwent a series of charges and discharges to warm the battery pack. In either the 09 or 10 model year, internal cabin air was utilized for this purpose. This change in system saved approximately 30lbs of weight. I'm curious on where the coolant lines run (internally or externally to the unibody) on the electric Focus.

My 2005 Escape Hybrid has the Intelligent 4wd system which was introduced in the 2005 year.

Will potential stock purchasers remember how the "old GM" stuck it to the stockholders during their Bankruptcy?

The mileage figures initially quoted for the VW Golf is from the European values not the USA/EPA values. When/if the VW Golf diesel is tested via the EPA method, the MPG values drops significantly due to different test methods. If and when the USA vehicles are tested via the Euro test methods, their MPG values increase significantly.

Holland Michigan will have two lithium ion battery plants. The Johnson Controls Saft will begin production in the Summer of 2011 and has a contract with Ford to supply the PHEV Escape. The LG Chem plant will begin production in 1st quarter 2012 and has a contract with Ford to supply the battery pack with the electric Focus. Holland, Michigan is going to have happy workforce.

This story about the blown engine with one of the posters on this thread has been discussed before here and elsewhere. This poster used Jiffy Lube for oil changes and 5w-30 weight oil opposed to the 5w-20 recommended weight.

If my memory serves me correctly, a Prius was driven from Chicago to New York in May 2008 by a famous "individual" who will remain nameless on less than one tank of gas. This individual averaged 47 mph on I-80 during this trip. A reporter for CBS News also drove a different Prius at an average speed of 57 mph on I-80 to obtain something like 55 mpg. There you go, some real world figures if you don't mind 18 wheelers on your tail.

I don't get it. You complained about your experience with the Escape Hybrid and continue to drive it? Why do you still drive this vehicle if it is a pain in the rear?

Did anyone question this politician on how he "knows" it is possible for vehicles in the future to use 1/2 the fuel and produce 1/2 the emissions? Does this mean no large vehicles and trucks? What fuel(s) was he referring to? Or is this another way of saying Plug in hybrid electric vehicles will dominate the market?

The Eco-Boosted engine in a 4600lb+ vehicle provided a real world highway mileage of 25. That is impressive. It is even more impressive to read about how the "whole" vehicle is tuned to each other as a statement of quality.

"here in Aus can get 3.7l/100km (~64mpg),"--The USA has a different method of obtaining fuel economy than the Europeans and other countries. The USA vehicles would see a significant increase in fuel economy ratings with the European testing methods.

I had a 89 Taurus Wagon with 238,000 miles and no automatic transmission problems. Sold it to a mail delievery person who put on another 30,000 miles before rust and age forced a trip to the scrapyard.

Cold weather will degrade the electric range by up to 20% (8 miles) via the head Volt engineer.: http://www.gm-volt.com/index.php?s=aggressive

Toyota is halting sales until a fix for the problem is found. This fix has got to be a change in the software and electronic stability control. I can't see them "redesigning" a new vehicle.