Quick Takes

Think tanks

Ever heard of the Ford Motor Company's electric car called Think? Few people have and even fewer bought it. All of which has prompted Ford to rethink the concept and concentrate on other technologies. The battery-operated vehicles, which Ford rolled out in Europe in 1999 (the "Think City") and in the United States this year (the "Think Neighbor"), proved hard to sell. A cutesy name like "Think" probably didn't help. Environmentalists, though, accuse the industry of not trying hard enough to market alternative vehicles. But critics of the cars say that drivers find alternative cars too exotic, and experimental vehicles may be hard for Ford to justify right now. The company lost $5.5 billion last year. Still, Ford plans to introduce a hybrid-electric version of the Escape SUV. "We've got to create this market acceptance first," said Ford's Francine Romine. "Alternate cars haven't caught on. Our commitment is to give the customer what they want, but doing it in a way that's responsible. Hybrid Escape will give us an opportunity to see." Toyota and Nissan announced plans early this month for their own hybrid gas-electric cars. Toyota will supply components for Nissan models sold in the United States starting in 2006.

ACCESS THIS ARTICLE IMMEDIATELY AND RECEIVE ONE MONTH OF ONLINE ACCESS AND TWO ISSUES OF WORLD'S PRINT EDITION—ALL FOR JUST $5. SEE THE NEW SUBSCRIBER BOX BELOW.

IF YOU ARE ALREADY A PRINT OR ONLINE-ONLY SUBSCRIBER, PLEASE LOG IN BELOW.

The complete article is ~761 words long

Current Subscriber

Magazine
Subscriber

Online-Only
Subscriber

Click here for other subscription options that also will enable you to access this article.

New Subscriber

Secure form

Receive instant access to this article and one-month access to WORLD's subscriber-only online content — plus, enjoy 2 issues of WORLD's print edition — all for just $5*.

Want a different type of subscription? Click the following links for Online-Only Subscription options or Print Subscription options (which include online subscription access).

Payment Information

Name	State	Card Type

Address	Zip	Card Number

City	Email	Expiration Date
		/
	Phone Number

Offer Terms

Subscribers Advantage Automatic Renewal Program You authorize WORLD Magazine to charge your credit/debit card at the price listed above and in time to renew your subscription to WORLD Magazine, without interruption, before the start of the first 6-month term (for $34.95) and then thereafter at 6-month terms at the regular rate then in effect unless you tell us to stop. You may cancel at any time during your subscription and receive a full refund on all unmailed issues. If your credit/debit card cannot be charged, we will bill you directly instead.

*Offer good in the U.S. only for new subscribers.
I agree to the terms above

Outside the US, click here.
Renewing subscribers, click here.
Gift subscriptions, click here.

NEED HELP? Call 800-951-6397, Monday-Friday (except holidays), 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, or send email to customerservice@worldmag.com.

Copyright © 2012 God's World Publications
All rights reserved
Articles may not be reproduced without permission
September 14, 2002, Vol. 17, No. 35

Scorched-earth politics Sep. 7, 2002	When liberals seize a state Aug. 31, 2002	Ghost busting Aug. 24, 2002
9/11 remembered Aug. 17, 2002	Tools of a tyrant Aug. 10, 2002	John Smoltz: The closer Aug. 3, 2002