Ford Escape
Ford Motor Company's Escape debuted in 2001 as an entry level SUV, priced below the Ford Explorer. It was jointly developed with Mazda, which Ford owns a controlling interest in, and is also sold as the Mazda Tribute and, in Europe, as the Ford Maverick. A third model with a different grille and rear tailgate is sold in Taiwan under the Ford Escape name.
In 2004, the Ford Escape Hybrid was launched. This hybrid electric vehicle is 75% more efficient than the regular Escape and is the first SUV available to the public with hybrid technology.
A final variation of this platform, the Mercury Mariner will soon to be introduced in 2005, followed by a hybrid version in 2007.
