Ford Steps Up Hybrid Engine Effort

Ford Motor Co. is doubling its hybrid vehicle team to support its ambitious growth plan even as the No. 2 U.S. automaker is laying off employees from other departments. The expansion comes as the automaker is moving to develop the hybrid battery and transmission technology in-house to overcome a supply bottleneck for the key parts.

Hybrid vehicles twin a gasoline engine to an electric motor and batteries to boost fuel economy. The automaker is trailing Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. Ltd. with the fuel-efficient hybrid technology.

Source: Reuters