Ford’->ke31s long-term plans for the F-Series->ke1913 apparently include a hybrid drivetrain. In a December 14th interview with NPR’s Ali Shapiro, Ford’s CEO Mark Fields confirmed the automaker is working on a hybrid->ke147 F-Series.

“Well, we do have plans to have a rear-wheel drive hybrid truck but the end of the decade. So yes, we're working on electrified F-series.”

The topic came up when Fields was asked about the disparity between sales of its conventional hybrid vehicles like the Fusion->ke433 and C-Max,->ke2313 and the more traditional F-Series, Fields added to Shapiro’s question by saying, “ only represent around 2.5 percent of the total industry.” He continued in saying that as the percentage of hybrid sales grows, Ford will have positioned itself to respond.

The remainder of the short interview went on to discus Ford’s overall business and environmental sustainability, and the balance of both in the light of climate change. It’s easy to see how a hybrid F-Series would tie into both areas, as the F-Series (the F-150->ke423 through the F-450)->ke1827 is Ford’s number one product and how creating a hybrid version would help lower the automaker’s overall CAFÉ numbers.

Environmental aspects aside, Field’s promise for a hybrid F-Series by the end of the decade is big news. The automaker has already taken steps to improve the F-Series’ fuel economy. Lightweight aluminum bodies for both the F-150 and upcoming Super Duty mean reduced fuel consumption. Turbocharged, smaller-displacement engines in the F-150 further reduce consumption. Moving to a hybrid drivetrain is a logical next step.

From Field’s comments, Ford will only produce a 2WD hybrid truck,->ke242 helping it get the best possible fuel economy. Whether or not such a truck will be a commercial success is yet to be seen.

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