By 2005, both Ford and GM's corporate bonds had been downgraded to junk status,[

18] as a result of high U.S. health care costs for an aging workforce, soaring g
asoline prices, eroding market share, and an over dependence on declining SUV sa
les. Profit margins decreased on large vehicles due to increased "incentives" (i
n the form of rebates or low interest financing) to offset declining demand.[19]
In the latter half of 2005, Chairman Bill Ford asked newly appointed Ford Ameri
cas Division President Mark Fields to develop a plan to return the company to pr
ofitability. Fields previewed the Plan, named The Way Forward, at the December 7
, 2005, board meeting of the company and it was unveiled to the public on Januar
y 23, 2006. "The Way Forward" included resizing the company to match market real
ities, dropping some unprofitable and inefficient models, consolidating producti
on lines, closing 14 factories and cutting 30,000 jobs.[20]dfgdfgdrgdbdcrthdrgdr
gdgdsfseThe Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid are the gasoline-elect
ric hybrid powered versions that launched in the U.S. in 2004 for the 2005 model
year. Built in Kansas City, Missouri, it was the first hybrid SUV to hit the ma
rket. The Ford Escape Hybrid was the first American-built hybrid and the first h
ybrid vehicle from an American automaker, joined by the Chevrolet Silverado/GMC
Sierra Hybrids during the same model year. According to the Environmental Protec
tion Agency, the first generation Ford Escape Hybrid is 70% more efficient than
the regular Escape. The Mercury Mariner Hybrid is a rebadged version of the Esca
pe Hybrid. It features revised front-end styling and a more luxurious interior.