And is there is a difference? Is the Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner hybrid duo a bad hybrid or do people just not want a hybrid SUV? Why can't Ford move more of these? AutoWeek reports: Ford extends 0% financing on hybrids to entire U.S. Now, if fairness to FoMoCo, sales are up 7.3% over first quarter of 2005, but the incentives must have helped move that number.

Sales for hybrid SUVs in March:

Ford Escape: 3,475.

Mercury Mariner: (couldn't find this. any help, folks?).

Lexus RX400h: 2,470.

We're actually pretty impressed with Lexus because the RX400h has no super-financing-action and costs about 55% more than the Ford, so how did little Lexus manage to sell so many of these dealies? For the record, we think hybrid SUVs are pretty lame. In fact, we think most SUVs are pretty lame. If we were going to buy one, however, we'd look at the new GM things or the good ol' Honda Pilot. They look pretty swank.



Posted by: Jim    Source