$Ford Motor (F.US)$Ford is doubling its efforts to develop h...

Ford

FThe plan is to double the production of hybrid F-150 pickup trucks in 2024, accelerating the auto manufacturer's transition to gas-electric power systems to offset concerns of USA truck buyers unwilling to adopt fully electric vehicles.

Ford stated that the company is preparing to equip 20% of the best-selling vehicle series in the USA market with hybrid power systems in 2024. The company mentioned that in the 2024 model year, the price of hybrid systems will be the same as trucks equipped with a six-cylinder "EcoBoost" internal combustion power system.

"Ford's Blue division Vice President Andrew Frick told Reuters reporters: 'We will incorporate some room for growth in the production plan.' Frick stated that the demand for the hybrid power system, currently offered as a $3,300 option on certain F-150 models, has risen to 10% of total F-150 sales.

If Ford's new expectations for sales are met, the hybrid power F-150 will become one of the top three best-selling hybrid vehicles in the USA, competing with Toyota Motor's RAV4 compact SUV.

Toyota Motor has also equipped its Tundra full-size pickup trucks with hybrid power systems. Based on auto manufacturers' sales data, as of June 30, out of the 59,735 Tundras sold in the USA, approximately 24% were using hybrid power systems. The number of F-series trucks sold by Ford during the same period was about six times higher.

Before the Detroit Auto Show opens to the public this Saturday, Ford unveiled the redesigned 2024 F-150 series models at an event on Tuesday night.

Ford is expanding the use of hybrid power technology, marking a significant strategic difference between Ford and competitors like General Motors, the latter pushing for an all-electric strategy in its future USA vehicle lineup (including Chevrolet and GMC pickup models).

Ford and Toyota are leading the rebound of hybrid power systems in the usa.

Sales of electric cars in the usa are accelerating, but at a slower pace than industry executives expected, as many consumers hesitate due to the high price of electric cars and concerns about driving range and charging issues. For pickup truck users, towing trailers will significantly reduce the driving range of electric trucks.

Standard & Poor's Global Communications Company predicts that sales of hybrid cars will more than double in the next five years, accounting for 24% of new car sales in the usa by 2028.

If the demand for electric vehicles such as the F-150 Lightning pickup is lower than expected, a significant sale of hybrid trucks will help Ford comply with stricter usa climate emissions regulations.

"Freytag said: "Every hybrid car we sell is more environmentally friendly than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.