autoevolution
 

Ford Fusion Hybrid Better Than Camry Hybrid. Toyota: Is Not!

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decided that the Ford Fusion Hybrid is more fuel efficient than the Toyota Camry Hybrid. The two cars were compared as being part of the same class of vehicles. The ratings showed a 33/34 efficiency rate for the Camry Hybrid and a 41/36 one for the Fusion.

Toyota has been the world leader in the hybrid class development. This status, along with EPA's announcement, made Jon F. Thompson, Open Road Toyota blog's editor "respectfully and cordially" disagree with the comparison. Toyota representatives said that comparing the two cars in like doing the same with apples and oranges. The comparison was made based on vehicle size.

According to Thompson, a better comparison would have been the one between Ford Fusion and the new 2010 Toyota Prius. In which case, Toyota would have trashed Ford's newcomer. That is not entirely the case. Comparing the two models, Car and Driver's found that the two cars are mostly similar, at least as far as interior volumes are concerned:

Front: Camry - 53 cu. ft, Fusion - 54 cu. ft
Rear: Camry - 47 cu. ft, Fusion - 46 cu. ft
Trunk: Camry - 11 cu. ft, Fusion - 12 cu. ft


Toyota's reaction to EPA's comparison comes as a result of the “marketing” battle that is to come. The stakes are high, as the United States is the largest market in the world and Toyota might fear that the current economic situation could entice the average American buyer to go for a domestic option. More so if a Government Agency says “Ford is better”.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Daniel Patrascu
Daniel Patrascu profile photo

Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories