Toyota Motors missed being the number one auto maker in the world in terms of sales by a mere 3,000 vehicles. The number one spot went again to General Motors which has held this spot since the 1930s. Though Toyota lost this time, it is fast gaining on the US Giant and it’s only a matter of time before it becomes the Numero Uno auto maker. Toyota is already the number one for hybrid cars, having sold over 1 million of them and plans to introduce all of its models in a hybrid version by the year 2020. Toyota Prius remains the most popular hybrid car in the world. Not long ago, Ford was the number two auto maker in the world - well, not anymore.

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Ford and Airstream have partnered to create a very futuristic looking crossover concept called “Ford AirStream” influenced by the 1960s Kubrick movie 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The AirStream is a plug-in hybrid that uses hydrogen fuel cell technology from Ballard to derive power for it’s battery pack. The vehicle has the HySeries Drive powertrain just like the Ford Edge concept car and provides a gasoline equivalent 41 mpg. The car can go 25 miles on electric power alone. With the hydrogen fuel cell stack working as a generator the range of the vehicle extends to 280 miles on one tank of hydrogen.

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Ford set a record in its Fusion 999 hydrogen fuel cell powered car by reaching a top speed of 207.279 mph. The car has been designed by Ford engineers in collaboration with Ohio State University, Ballard and Roush. Roush, based in Allen Park, Michigan fabricated the car while the Ohio State University students designed the 770 hp electric motor. Ballard supplied the hydrogen fuel cells. Ohio State University students have also collaborated with Ford on a fuel cell powered racer called the Buckeye Bullet 2.

Watch this video of Ford testing the Fusion 999:


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The all new 2008 Ford Escape hybrid is a full hybrid that can stay on electric-only mode for up to 25 mph. It comes equipped with a 155hp, 2.3L, Atkinson Cycle gasoline engine and a NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) battery stored under the flat load floor of the cargo area. The transition from the electric motor to the gasoline engine is very smooth. The transmission is an electronically controlled, continuously variable transmission. The Ford Escape hybrid uses renerative braking system transforms the vehicle’s momentum into electrical energy that is stored in batteries for later use. The Ford Escape Hybrid is the most fuel efficient SUV on the market today.

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