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Ford’s first hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) in Ireland has just made its debut on our roads. The Mondeo HEV combines the best facets of the hugely popular car with the benefits of hybrid technology. With its 2.0 litre 187PS automatic transmission petrol powertrain, the new Mondeo HEV will meet the needs of those who want a more environmentally-friendly car but who do not wish to compromise on space, driving dynamics, driving range and comfort.

Ciarán McMahon, chairman and managing director of Ford Ireland, believes now is the perfect time to launch the car in Ireland. “Ford has taken the electrification journey,” adding that the Mondeo HEV is a more recent addition to Ford’s electric portfolio. “We introduced the Mondeo HEV towards the end of last year and we believe the time is now right to bring it to the Irish market. The market in Ireland has changed greatly over the past 18 months and there is a new impetus behind the electrified vehicles market here.”

The Mondeo HEV will have a particular appeal to a broad swathe of the market, according to McMahon. “We believe this represents a very big opportunity for Ford. It is our first hybrid launch in Ireland and it will appeal to companies that want to demonstrate green credentials.”

Familiarity is another plus. “Everyone knows the Mondeo and its great driving dynamics and specs. From that point of view, it’s the perfect vehicle for Ford to start its hybrid journey in Ireland.”

It also stands out in the market as many of the hybrids already on the market are smaller in size. “There is a great opportunity in this space for us. Also, when people drive it they quickly realise that it’s a beautiful car to drive. It has a petrol engine but has an electric powertrain and that makes it automatic transmission by default. It is a lovely, quiet drive regardless of whether you are driving on the petrol engine or the battery.”

Another strength is its fuel consumption. “It is very fuel efficient despite being a high-powered petrol vehicle. When you combine all these things together it’s a package that people understand and find attractive. One thing I would say is that people really do need to test drive the vehicle to fully appreciate it.

“Once people get in and drive it they are very impressed. The drive switches between electric and petrol power completely seamlessly and it’s very hard to tell when it happens. That’s to do with the way it has been developed. The petrol engine has been specifically designed for hybrid electric vehicles. The overall package is excellent and anyone who has got used to other hybrids will be very pleasantly surprised by the Mondeo HEV.”

Looking to the future, McMahon believes it will not be too long before all cars are electric, either hybrids or pure electric with consumer demand and other factors driving the change. There will also be pronounced differences in markets which will continue to be influenced by local factors.

“Our HEV offering in the US has been very successful,” he says. “We recently announced plans which will result in further investment in EVs there. In the US, SUVs rather than saloon cars are very much seen as the future. There is a huge market shift over there.”

Technology is among the key forces at work in this quiet revolution. “The industry is changing rapidly and technology is changing even faster. Battery technology is advancing all the time and costs are coming down. It is different in Ireland and while the SUV segment is growing, the Mondeo segment continues to be a popular choice in our market.”

Test this exciting car now at Killarney Autos. Call 064 66 31355 for more information.