current wait time, ordering FEH w/ trade-in

We ordered our 2008 FEH last May and it was delivered in September. We have done business with the dealership for a long, long time and I wouldn't think of looking elsewhere, though it was a moot point since at the time none of the dealers in this area (southern Wisconsin) had an '08 FEH in stock, anyway.

The salesman told us that most of the hybrids were being sent to the west coast or to NYC to fill their taxi cab orders (I have learned that this was indeed true) making for long waits for those of us in the heartland.

Initially the plan was to sell our 2002 V-6 Escape to a friend of ours when the hybrid came in but he had a change of plans so we ended up trading it instead. We waited to write up the deal until the new one came in since the dealer hadn't asked for a deposit or anything. There was a slight increase in price by the time it arrived, but we hadn't committed so could have taken a pass on it if we had wanted to. We paid sticker minus a $500 incentive and got a trade-in allowance that was more than fair.

We ordered the car exactly the way we wanted. Kiwi Green was the color we wanted anyway, but I think you're being misled if they're telling you that it is your only option.

Well, we DID get ours (eventually) last year. And I do know that another dealer in our area (again, southern Wisconsin had at least one on their lot last summer while we were waiting for ours. Also, I have seen other '08 FEH's and MMH's on the highways here in Wisconsin.

I had heard the theory about the battery supplier, too. I'm a bit skeptical since Toyota seems to get them by the tens of thousands.

I ordered my Kiwi Green 2008 FEH on October 10th, and took delivery on December 19th. This is in the Northern Virginia area.

I had the bad experience (mentioned by GaryG above) of being told that my trade-in was worth $3000 less in December than in October. That resulted in a day-long standoff until the dealer agreed to give me the trade-in allowance written up in October.

I feel lucky to have gotten my FEH so quickly, as I am now seeing other posts around the Internet talking about 18 or more week delays in getting an ordered vehicle delivered.

Good point Billy, here is a link that folks may want to take a look at: http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2008/01/22/075604.html Ford Unveils 2009 Ford Escape ,Mercury Mariner and Fuel Saving Vehicles The new engine also is the new basis for Ford’s hybrid models, ushering in a host of improvements that will make the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid even more appealing. Adapted to the Atkinson cycle, the engine is the first for Ford to incorporate variable valve timing on a hybrid engine. “More than ever, the Escape Hybrid and Mariner Hybrid are the ultimate vehicles for commuters in the daily battle with urban traffic congestion,” said Cischke. “For every eight Escape and Mariner vehicles we sell, one of them is a hybrid, and the appeal is growing.” Ford Hybrids: More Refinement, Safety and Performance The new 2.5-liter engine also is the new foundation for the Escape Hybrid and Mariner Hybrid models. Adapted for hybrid use, the engine is Ford’s first to use variable valve timing on an Atkinson cycle hybrid engine. Advancements in engine processor technology enable a nearly imperceptible transition from gas to electric mode. A new brake system also provides a more seamless transition from regenerative braking to traditional braking. It incorporates a new pedal sensor that gives the driver better feedback and pedal feel similar to that of a traditional vacuum-assisted hydraulic system. Also new this year is a new standard safety feature – AdvanceTrac® with RSC®. Already standard on gas-powered models, this patented Ford Motor Company stability control system includes roll stability control. Escape Hybrid and Mariner Hybrid are the only small hybrids to offer such an advanced safety technology. At the Washington Auto Show, Ford will display a Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) alongside the production Escape Hybrid. The plug-in research vehicle uses high voltage, lithium-ion batteries and can travel up to 30 miles on battery power alone before switching to full hybrid mode, delivering the equivalent of up to 120 miles per gallon for far fewer trips to the gas station. Ford is collaborating with Southern California Edison in a unique partnership to advance the commercialization of PHEVs, demonstrating the potential for two industries to change the transportation and energy future. This is part of Ford’s sustainability strategy, which also includes a new engine technology called EcoBoost that will deliver up to 20 percent better fuel economy and 15 percent fewer CO2 emissions on half a million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles annually in North America starting within the next five years. The EcoBoost family of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines features turbocharging and direct injection technology and will be used in a range of global vehicles – from small cars to large trucks. Compared with more expensive hybrids and diesel engines, EcoBoost builds upon today’s affordable gasoline engine and improves it, providing more customers with a way to improve fuel economy and emissions without compromising driving performance. More Technology, Connectivity The popularity of the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner reflects a trend of continuous improvement and product enhancement, including the most “connected” driving experience available today. New optional equipment includes: SYNC, the award-winning Ford in-car connectivity system developed with Microsoft, will be offered in Escape and Mariner. New for the 2009 model-year, SYNC features “911 Assist” which will help drivers connect with emergency assistance in the event of air bag deployment. Also available for 2009, SYNC will offer Vehicle Health Reports, which are designed to keep owners up to speed with vehicle maintenance needs through the syncmyride.com web site. SIRIUS® Travel Link™ , which offers real-time traffic, weather, fuel price, sports schedules and movie information when combined with Ford’s next-generation navigation system with voice recognition. Growing Popularity With the continuous improvements to the 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, the vehicles are primed to build on their sales success in the 2007 calendar year, which included record hybrid volume. Highlights include: Ford Escape Hybrid recorded a 10.4 percent increase in sales versus 2006, with 21,386 units sold, while Mercury Mariner Hybrid sales were up 17 percent over 2006 to 3,722 units. Total Ford Escape sales were up 5.2 percent to 165,596. Mercury Mariner was up 2.6 percent to 34,844 units. The Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner are produced at Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant, and the 2009 models will go on sale this summer.

Greg, thanks for the info on the 2009 models. We were trying to order an 08 yesterday and the dealer said they had a previous cancellation and might try to use that production spot for our order, otherwise they can't order 08's anymore. I think I'll call them tomorrow and tell them I'll wait for an 09 anyway, sounds like it has enough positive changes to make it worth the wait.
As a side note, I had searched dealer inventory online at over 100 dealers in TX, OK, and NM and only found a four with a hybrid in stock and calls to two of them revealed they had been sold already. So it is pretty much impossible to buy one here without ordering it. They said it would be about 26 weeks before you would get it after you order. They are also selling them for MSRP around here, no deals to be had.

Hi Jane, more than likely your MMH was already ordered but had not been built yet. This happen to me back in Dec. of '04 when someone canceled their order. I got a call from a broker who deals with most dealerships and he said I could get that vehicle much sooner if I wanted. The good part about the FEH order was that it had not been built yet and I had time to change any options on the order. I made those changes and got a conformation from Ford. It came much sooner with all the changes made from the original order.

Clearly, ordering a MMH and getting it in 3 1/2 weeks is not the norm and I think your lucky things worked out the way they did.

Hello;
At this point I'm looking to order an 09 since I want Hands Free and Nav, not an option with the 08. I live in Cali and as of July we can only use hands free or it's a fine. Any idea when we can place an order for a MMH 09?

My "insider" stated sometime in April 2008 is when you can place an order. The vehicles are to arrive at the dealership in the Summer of 2008.

The problem with the FEH from Ford's bottom line is "they lost money on each sale". This is a true statement as Ford Executive Nancy G. (forgot the spelling) stated Ford will begin to make a profit on the hybrid vehicles in 2008. Thus, Ford had to limit sales due to their financial concerns. Yet they needed to produce hybrids to boost the corporate fuel average and generate good PR. Sales pesons at the dealership are not always the best persons to obtain information from especially in regards to hybrid vehicles. You will obtain better information elsewhere. We know the Escape is only made in Kansas City, Mo. Maybe-wink-monitoring the internet newspapers from this region will provide a tip.

Ford has to purchase the hybrid components from an outside contractor and they plan in advance how many units will be sold. It is difficult for them to adjust "on the fly" due to this need to purchase their hybrid compoents elsewhere. There is only one plant that produces the Escape-Escape Hybrid-Mariner-Mariner Hybrid and they rolled out somewhere around 160,000 units last year (2007). The Hybrid vehicles are "scheduled" into the assembly line for production. Not enough units are sold to justify another plant facility.

If Ford is going to start making money on hybrid vehicle production in 2008, then do they increase unit numbers in comparison to 2005-2008? Or do they keep the Escape Hybrid at 20,000 units a year and double production of hybrids with the introduction of 2009 Fusion hybrid later in 2008?

Hi B

Here is one article quoting Nancy Giola on Ford turning a profit on the FEH/MMH:

January 16, 2008
Ford Expects Hybrids To Start Turning Profit

Manufacturing costs for hybrids are dropping.

By the end of this year, Ford Motor Co.'s hybrid vehicle program is expected to be profitable for the first time.

Nancy Gioia, Ford's director of sustainable mobility technologies and hybrid vehicle programs, said that since production started in 2004, Ford has chopped about 30 percent of the cost out of making the Escape, Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute hybrid SUVs.

Yes, hybrids have been loss leaders. That they are becoming profitable is good news. The longer we go before world oil production starts declining the easier it'll be to handle it. Advances in hybrid and battery technologies as well as in wind turbines, photovoltaics, and nuclear technologies will all make the migration away from fossil fuels easier.

GaryG

Hi Billy

Great find! Thank you! Is there a link or was this information from an inside poster? Today I'll past on the information to my Broker at my Credit Union to try and locate information on options. I want to order all the bells so I need to study the list carefully.

When I ordered my '05, the Fleet Manager told me I could only get the Appearance Package in the gray color. I guess he saw a picture of a gray one with the matching gray bottom and thought it was all you could get. I didn't want the flat black bottom that was standard, so I ask for all the order information. I caught the Fleet Manager's mistake and ordered my FEH in Titanium Green with the appearance package.

John Dixson ordered his '08 MMH thinking he was getting the 110V outlet. When he got his vehicle, that option was missed! To late for changes then. I use my 110V outlet all the time and will make sure I check all the confirmation order paperwork. I also want the new Nav sys and a way to plug-in my HD radio receiver into the speaker system. I got the Visteon HD Jump system that can go in a vehicle as well as in my home 7.1 theater system. The radio sounds like a CD playing and many radio stations in my area have switched to HD radio broadcasting. Also, lets not forget the Block Heater option from the factory. A smaller price to pay and cleaner installation when ordered, and I can always use an increase in MPG during warm-up at todays gas prices.

As soon as I get the order information and cost of options, I'll post them here. Again, if anyone gets this information first, please post it like Billy does.

GaryG

There has been an update today! Go to:http://www.donlen.com/buildstart_trucks_ford.html

it shows Escape hybrid ordering 4-17-08
mid-September for production scheduling October for production start.

I assume this later start is due to the new Ford Fusion Hybrid that uses the same hybrid components. Ford is likely ordering components for both vehicles at the same time. The Fusion is made in Mexico. However, Fusion hybrids were seen ouside the Kansas City Plant in Jan 2007--prior to the start up of the 2008 Escape model year.

I was quite perplexed right up until GaryG's comment.

I was heading for the fence on buying an 09 ford escape hybrid. I was conviced this was the vechile. I only had one reservation, my issue, I live in connecticut and I have a driveway that goes up to the road.

With noway to turn around, in the winter, I need 4 wheel drive to get to the road in reverse.

My question to you AWD escape hybrid onwers, was going to be, do all 4 wheels spin when in reverse. I've done some looking on the net and only found a comment that the traction motor alone powers the vehicle in reverse. It does not mention if both electric motors operate. Thats kind of imporant to me.

But that was roughly 5 minutes ago and now, the 09's will be built in Mexico. Damn, Its hard to say what will happen to the quality. But I'm not going to risk my $33,000 on it, guess I'll go with a Santa Fe.

Signing off.....

GaryG. hold onto your comment about the Escape plant moving to Mexico. Reading the posted data, one realizes the non-hybrid 2009 Escape vehicles are going to be starting in June of 2008. The hybrid and non-hybrid Escape both share the same body and components other than the hybrid ones. Based upon this fact, the hybrid Escape would have to be built in Kansas City. It would cost Ford a fortune to dial up the Mexican Plant for both the Fusion body and Escape body and this doesn't make sense at all especially when the hybrid version is 20,000 units. I believe the reason for the delay deals with Ford needing to purchase the hybrid components for not only the Escape but also the Fusion. Could there be a "lag" due to Sanyo hybrid battery production? could Ford be getting a "better" discount by purchasing more units at one time? Is Ford waiting for payment on the sale of Land Rover to help purchase these hybrid components?

I'm the same guy that lives in Southwestern Pa but am currently in Northern Wisconsin (good 18 inches of snow on the ground) due to a cancer battle a family member is slowly losing. That is another matter.

As for the AWD question, I have it and it is unlikely you will ever get stuck. You indicate the driveway goes up to the house, then I assume it means you back down the driveway and this fact should ease your worries. The electric motors you refer to have lots of torque at low RPMs. Where you live, a Northeaster Storm may dump a lot of snow in a very short period of time. However, when these occur, warnings are posted to stay home until the roads are cleared.

Gary also mention Ford is experiencing changes internally and with their dealership network. That is true. Something has to give when you lose the money they have in recent years. Those waiting for the new 2009 Escape Hybrid have no alternative other than purchasing an different hybrid. A potential lost sale for Ford is ture. My experience with salestaff at four different Ford dealerships last year was the sales staff pull out the "numbers" sheet and try to convice you it is cheaper to buy a non-hybrid. I'm glad I didn't listen very hard to this sales pitch.

Regarding the inquiry about an FEH in the snow:

I live in Southern Wisconsin and we got MORE snow overall than Northern Wisconsin this winter. On more than one occasion I had to back out of the garage through a good 12 - 18 inches of snow. My 2008 FEH went through it as if it wasn't even there -- in reverse.

The drive train doesn't seem to care where the torque is coming from, all four wheels get power if they need it.

This was our first winter with this Escape (we've had 3 before this one) and it seems to handle deep snow better than any previous Escape that we've owned. (This is the first one we've had with automatic 4WD, the others were either FWD or manual 4WD.) I've also been very impressed with the braking on snow and ice. The ABS on this Escape engages more smoothly and works more effectively than any car I've owned.

Hi There:

Thanks mdensch for the comment about the snow, it really worried me. The wife has a Malibu and backs out of the driveway as well. Theres a kind of an anti slip for the front wheel drive which really freaked me out when she could not get out of the driveway one day. Neat but sometimes doesn't help unless I get the dirt out. My current 4 wheel drive backs out without a problem with the same conditions, but I have manual hubs. It was the technology of the time.

I'm hoping that when in reverse and the front wheels begin to slip that the back wheels willl activate. Thats what I am hoping for anyway.

For GaryG and Billyk. Today we went to checkout an 08 escape non Hybrid, just so she can sit in it and compare to the Santa Fe. She thought the Santa Fe was more like a miniVan. She thinks the Escape is more like the Rodeo than the Santa Fe was. I had forgotten how much I liked the interior of the escape since test driving an 08 hybrid a while back. But she seems to think that the cargo room will be OK. I lose 10 cu. ft. with the escape but thats better an the Vue.

Anyway Sorry I digrese. I spoke to the sales guy about the 09's, he said that currently Ford has a commitment to NY city TAXI's. I guess those orders have to be filled by some date.

I agree with that, we were down there recently visiting some friend, we went to Manhatten, (I love it but can't stand to drive there), all of the public buses are running on Natural gas. I think there is a real commitment by NY to get all the public transportation to Green.

Anyway, that might be the reason for the wait.

This internet link is from a Kansas City newspaper: http://news.edgar-online.com/news/fis_story.asp?textpath=COMTEX%5Cko%5C2...

that reveals the Escape Hybrid will be offerred this summer. The link is old 1-22-08 but state the Escape Hybrid will be built here not in Mexico.

Isn't this the problem:

"Ford suspects it may be getting squeezed out by its Japanese rivals. With the fall launch of the gas-electric Mercury Mariner, Ford is tripling its hybrid SUV lineup over three years. But its transmission supplier, Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd., can boost deliveries by only 20 percent, to 24,000 transmissions annually." http://detroitnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0508/08/A01-272872.htm

AND AN UPDATE

"Aisin Seiki Co., an affiliate of Toyota Motor Corp., plans to increase its supply of core motor systems for hybrid vehicles to Ford Motor Co.....The Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid are equipped with Ford’s first-generation transaxle, which Ford developed jointly with Aisin AW...Aisin has supplied dual-motor systems to Ford since 2004, with shipments currently reaching around 20,000 systems a year...." from
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/02/aisin_seiki_to_.html

For GaryG and others waiting to get a 2009 FEH, I got an email from my dealer today stating that they had the new ordering guide! Pricing and actual placing of orders should be sometime next week.

If one goes to the Greenhybrid.com site, you will find a "poor scaned copy of the FEH options" that was sent to one of the posters. This poster claims the dealers will accept orders for the 2009 FEH sometime next week. Here is the link: http://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/f26/2009-order-build-dates-17505/
you will have to click on a file attachment for this open.

Does anyone see where to order the 110V outlet on the '09?

Gary;

Where are you getting your info from?

Hi Paul

Had to join the Blue Oval Forum to access a link "2009MY Escape & Escape Hybrid Fast Turn Orders". This link is far better than the faxed link Billy provided. They're are 12 pages on options and packages, and there very clear to read.

My Broker was in Atlanta Friday and the Fleet manager he told me to contact didn't know anything about the FEH order information. With this link, I printed everything I needed to know to order my '09 FEH.
http://www.blueovalforums.com/forums/index.php?s=035f9d0912431de743874e8...

I'm going with the FWD FEH Limited W/ Nav, Black Pearl. Everything is included in Package FTO 8 except the Nav and the color. The side step is the only thing that is another option, and my wife and I don't care for it on my Explorer.

Ford is staying with the 330V battery, and not going with the smaller 275V for the Fusion/Milan. I sure hope they change to the new variable voltage converter, but I see no information to confirm. It looks like the Limited FEH gets new polished alum wheels and the standard FEH stayed with the present FEH wheels.

Paul, the heat problem came mainly from the way the voltage went into and out of the battery via the old voltage converter. I was hoping Ford would stay with the bigger 330V battery pack and just delete the auxiliary battery A/C. The big question is, did Ford change to the Variable Voltage converter in the eCVT. This would allow the FEH higher EV speeds with longer distances than we have now. Changing to the 275V battery may have resulted in a lost of EV performance for the heavier FEH/MMH. I had a big concern this would happen, but of course now I know they stayed with the 330V.

As far as ordering changes, Ford has been losing money on all FEH/MMH and will finally start making a profit this summer. My fully loaded '05 had about the same MSRP as the '09 Limited with far less options. The Nav system comes with the 7 speakers and subwoofer which I have and love in my '05. The subwoofer is the key if you want a great stock sound system that works with all the other computer systems without warranty problems.

There are a number of items like heated seats I really don't need here in So. FL, but it's part of the package. The fact is, I'm very pleased I will get all these options at a discounted price in a package. This should speed-up production and eliminate forgetting options when ordering. For those looking for one on the lot, it will be much easier finding the options you want or need.

My awesome '05 FEH can only be replaced with an even more awesome '09. There are so many improvements in the '08 FEH/MMH, I know the '09 will kick the crap out of my '05. There is nothing Toyota-ish about a Ford SUV that got 61.8mpg in front of the world at Hybridfest.

Thanks Billy

I missed that great article, but it sounds like the 2010 Prius is due out in January '09. What happen to the '09 Prius if this is the case? My Wife is up for the next new vehicle and we're waiting on the '09 Prius! It looks like the '09 FEH will get to me before the Prius, and she is not going to like to see me with two new cars in a row.

If anyone has any more information on the '09 Prius, please let me know.

Got my '09 FEH conformation order back from Ford yesterday afternoon. The deal was MSRP at $33,725, plus Tax and Tag and no dealer fees. Not what I wanted to pay, but hopefully I'll make the full tax incentive before that ends.

I really like the new Hybrid Limited package deal and with the navigation system, the only other option left is the side steps that will most likely reduce MPG. Cougar (another poster here) ordered the same package and color, so we will be comparing order updates till we get the vehicles here.

A side update: Channel 25 (ABC) here in SO. FL did a story on me and Hypermiling today. The interview included filming me Hypermiling around Jupiter in my '05 FEH. They film me shifting to increase MPG which the cameraman thought was very interesting. The story will be edited today and shown Thursday on the 6pm News here. Not sure if it will be aired on National News at this point.

Gary, is there anyway you can make a copy of this? I'm sure there are individuals such as myself that will pay a small fee plus postage for a learning experience.

Hi Gary:

Thank You, Wow never had that done before. Well I'm going to wait at least one week more. The sale person I'm speaking with told me with seems like he wants to help me, but they don't even have pricing right now. So will see!

Thanks for the offer!!

-paul

Hi Billy

The story did not show much instructional information so I don't think it would help you. It showed me shifting, but you needed to see the where and when I shift which is about timing. The problem is the camera can't show the view though the windshield and the shifter at the same time.

Everyone thought it was a good story that I talked too, but I could see you could not learn how to hypermile from it. They showed me taking my right shoe off for the feel of the accelerator, having my tires at 50psi, the SGII's and the Navi energy screen. It was more of a story about going to these forums and exchanging ideas about how to save gas and becoming a hypermiler with any vehicle. They did show the piece of me badmouthing Big Oil over and over as an attention getter before the full story was aired.

Hi NicP

Ordering the '08 FEH not only has been stopped, but orders have been canceled that have been on order. The dealership near me had two new '08 models as of last week which was strange because they were dry the last 6 months. The game of asking MSRP plus for the '08 model is over this time of the year. More than likely the dealership is trying sell a unit that is on its way or from another dealership. As long as they have your deposit, they have time to locate one and sell it to you at a high price.

Ask them for a copy of the conformation order with your name on it, because they get that long before a final VIN number. I order my '09 and got a quick conformation on the options and the price a day or two later. I'm paying MSRP with no other dealer fees and being told you can't get the X plan on these '09 orders yet. Some people are saying their getting the X plan price, but my broker said that not possible in this market of supply and demand for ordering a '09 FEH. When someone receives an '09 FEH at X plan and confirmed they didn't get screwed, I'll believe it then.

Just in case anybody cares,

It looks as if Ford has pushed back the Production start up date to October.

I found the following link at Edmunds.

http://www.donlen.com/buildstart_trucks_ford.html

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef7b234

The Donlen order information has been pointed out as for fleet sales purchases. My broker tells me retail orders are handled first,

I hope your right as well, but I thought the reason for the push back was that Ford was going to deliver the rest of the Contract for N.Y. City cabs. Well thats what I thought anyway.

I'm probably wrong. I'll let you know how my purchase goes this saturday.

-paul

The second two dates are accurate for the gasoline Escapes, not the FEH. The dates for the FEH are:
2009 Production Scheduling Begins: mid-September
2009 Production Start Up: October

Notice how they don't quote precise dates? Sounds like they want considerably more wiggle-room on the FEH vs. the gasoline Escapes.

I ordered my 2009 FEH Limited FWD last week. The only option I added was the side steps. Was able to sign a contract for $875 below MSRP. My dealer states that he doesn't expect the '09's to begin showing up until the end of July - but that production is scheduled to begin June 23rd (with scheduling begining May 15) - the Sept - Oct dates apply to fleet sales.

As of Second Quarter '08, the tax credit is still good - which means you are fine through Sep '08 because of how the decrease is structured. The tax credit only applies to the vehicles sold in '06 forward and only to retail sales.

Once it hits the 60,000 sales mark, the full credit (3,000 for FWD, 2,300 for 4WD) will drop to half following the the next quarter.

One more link regarding tax credits - when Ford reaches the 60,000 cap, it will be listed on this page:

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=161076,00.html

This has definitely been the most informative forum group on this subject that I have yet to encounter, thanks so much for the links and info!

just got my '08 FEH in yesterday!

here's how my order went and i hope this helps a little:

-dealer took my order in the last week of Feb on an '09 FEH. he decided to allow me to order w/o a deposit (and i'm on the x-plan). he wouldn't know the built start dates until mid-april.

-in mid-april, he did find that the base price of the '09 FEH went up a little, and that the build dates were to be in mid June. he also checked to see when they could build my order, which would possibly end up being in early august which meant i wouldn't be able to see it until mid-august. the reason being, from what he heard (and from what i've been reading also online), is that states such as California and New York get first priority.

-i received a call from him a week later and he discussed options with trying to order an '08 FEH. he looked into it and was able to place an order for an '08 FEH for a build week of the last week of May. barring any slow downs (shortages of batteries, etc), i would receive it mid June.

-got a call from the dealer on Monday 6/09 and i was there that night. we closed the deal the next morning.

my situation was a little different b/c the dealer was able to order an '08 last minute. the dealer was tremendously helpful and we kept in contact via email once a month per his request. i would contact the dealer at the end of the month just to check status. he should be able to get a build week, and if everything goes as planned barring no slow downs, you should get it in a couple of weeks from the build week.

i would also like to thank everyone for their replies/posts. to garyG, thanks for the input initally; i'm hoping to utilize your hypermiling techniques in the upcoming days. if anyone is in the central florida area and looking for a helpful dealer, let me know and i'll refer you to where i went.

jtgonegreen, congrats on your new FEH! I was very excited when I got mine this time last year. Gary, how much of an MPG hit are you taking with the 90/10 gas/ethanol blend? My mileage has gotten better as I've broken the vehicle in, but I still believe that this corn fuel has taken some miles off the tank. I for one would be interested in that lesson... maybe other folks would too.

The question about ordering the '09 FEH/MMH and Fleet Sales ordering has been brought up. Here is a confirmation about fleet sales:

Late Fleet Availability for 2009 Escape
and Mariner Hybrid
Fleet production for the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury
Mariner Hybrid will be delayed until the fourth quarter of 2008,
Ford announced.
The manufacturer will begin accepting hybrid orders on April
17, 2008; however, fleet requests will be placed on material hold
until the fall. Scheduling for 2009 hybrid fleet orders is estimated
to begin in mid-September.
http://www.arifleet.com/efnews/ef2008/EF804.pdf

Ford needs those retail sales it appears!

Chris

Where are you located, and can you provide other details on your specific experiance? I am in Texas. I ordered mine on 05/30 or 06/01 and last word I got from the dealer was they wont know anything at all until 'sometime' in July. I'd love to think that based on your experiance, my FEH would be in, in early August, but I'm just getting a long wait feeling from the dealer. The dealer has not even come through with a confirmation number or anything that says the factory has acknowledged my order. I also asked about X-Plan pricing and that was pretty much just a flat out no.

thanks in advance
cab2

We placed an order on 5/28. A week later we received the confirmation.

BTW, our dealer did Xplan pricing although they wanted a deposit of $1,000.

So I live in California. If I did not order an Escape Hybrid, When can I expect to see them on the lots for sale?

so, does anyone know if the production line started for the FEH or MMH this week? I've still yet to hear word one from my dealer on my order. Not even a confirmation that my order has been accepted by the factory.

Ford has started production on the FEH/MMH as we speak. This was released today, but I've heard this for about a week now.

•Ford said last week that it is adding a third shift at a Kansas City plant making its Escape hybrid and Mercury Mariner hybrid. And it said the European Ford Focus and Fiesta, next-generation small cars, will begin production in North America in 20