What do you get when you mix various popular consumer and technology shifts like cloud computing, social networking, and plug-in hybrids? The Ford (NYSE: F) Evos Concept, of course!
The slick-looking concept vehicle features "gull-wing" doors (think Back to the Future) and is set to be unveiled later this month at the Frankfurt Motor Show. In addition to being a plug-in hybrid, it will be integrated into your personal cloud of information, ranging from your work schedule and music preferences to keeping up with local weather conditions.
It will even socially network with your friends to recommend better driving routes. The idea is to allow the car to get to know the driver in a way that personally tailors the driving experience. The company goes as far as to say that the Evos will get "to know you and can act as a personal assistant to handle some of the usual routines of a daily commute."
The Evos also represents a shift in the automaker's overall design direction. Upcoming models will take cues from its design, and it will set a unified global design framework.
As awesome as this car looks, I'm a little less than thrilled that it's a plug-in hybrid instead of a pure electric vehicle. I've previously referred to plug-in hybrids, like GM's (NYSE: GM) Cadillac ELR, as stepping stones to pure electric vehicles; I think the smarter move would be to make the Evos all-electric. It's still early, so the company has plenty of time before the car hits roads to finalize the details. Ford already has plans to roll out its Focus Electric later this year, so reverting to a plug-in hybrid seems a tad counterproductive in my mind.
As a Ford shareholder, I'm excited to see the company delivering on innovation. I think the company will hold its own in the coming electric car war against Tesla Motors' (Nasdaq: TSLA) Model S. The stock is cheap right now, and this Fool thinks it's a buy. What do you think? How will you invest in the electric car revolution? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.
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