2013 Ford Fusion and C-Max hybrids making gains in corporate fleets

In 2013, the Ford Fusion and C-Max hybrids may alter the level of market penetration of such hybrid vehicles by making significant inroads into the fleets of corporate America.

Companies whose corporate fleet vehicles rack up as many as 24,000 miles a year are seeing the impact hybrids can have on the bottom line, meaning the traditional low percentage such vehicles have in the overall market may soon change on a significant scale.

Those leading the way include Con-way, Esurance, Quest Diagnostics and AT&T, who are finding the combination of electric and gas powered vehicles can save them as much as 45 percent of their total fleet operation costs.

Not only that but hybrid vehicles tend to hold more of their value these days compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. The return for three-year old fleet vehicles is another way this trend can turn to profit for savvy fleet operators.

Con-way is a transportation and logistics service company, comprising close to 500 locations throughout the continent. They are buying over a thousand Fusion Hybrids for their fleet in 2013. Used by their personnel at Con-way Freight, Con-way Truckload and Menlo Worldwide Logistics, the company expects to save over a million gallons of gas every year with Fusion Hybrids as their primary company car.

“My Fusion’s advanced technology features, lower emissions, reduced fuel consumption and superb styling all combine for a great car that is inexpensive to operate and embodies the professional image we want to present for our customers,” said Randy Mullett, Con-way vice president of government relations and public affairs. “It serves as a tangible sign of Con-way’s commitment to sustainability.”

Esurance, the San Francisco-based online insurance company, went through an extensive selection process before buying 50 Fusion Hybrids for its claims fleet. The company, known for imaginative Flash-animated TV commercials, has projected savings of over 69,000 gallons of gasoline over the next few years. That adds up to more than $255,000 left in the company coffers, based on a national gas average around $3.71 a gallon.

The IT analysis firm, Quest Diagnostics, has purchased 150 C-Max Hybrids for its national logistics branch.

“As the leading diagnostic information services company, we maintain a significant national logistics operation for transporting millions of patient specimens each year for testing at our clinical laboratories,” said Clete Lewis, director of environmental, health and safety for Quest Diagnostics. “Given our scale, the type of vehicles in our fleet can really make a difference to the environment and our business costs.

“The environmentally conscious C-Max Hybrid is much more fuel efficient and produces less pollution than standard automobiles,” Lewis continued. “It is a smart addition to our fleet because it will promote lower fuel costs while also helping us to empower better health in the communities we serve.”

In addition to the Ford Fusion and C-Max, the brand now offers the C-Max Energi plug-in, Fusion Energi plug-in and Focus Electric.

With corporate America discovering the value of the hybrid vehicle, hybrids and EVs may finally emerge from the closet of the American automotive market.