The Ford Motor Co. on Tuesday produced its 100,000th vehicle powered by a combination of gasoline and electricity and said it continues to see alternative power as a big part of its future.

The silver Escape Hybrid rolled off the assembly line at the Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker's Kansas City Assembly Plant before a crowd of applauding workers. Those workers planned to sign a framed photo of the vehicle, which will be presented to the eventual buyer.

The Ford Motor Co. on Tuesday produced its 100,000th vehicle powered by a combination of gasoline and electricity and said it continues to see alternative power as a big part of its future.

The silver Escape Hybrid rolled off the assembly line at the Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker's Kansas City Assembly Plant before a crowd of applauding workers. Those workers planned to sign a framed photo of the vehicle, which will be presented to the eventual buyer.

Later this spring, Ford will begin selling its second-generation hybrids, the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan. The mid-sized sedans, being made in Mexico, have an improved powertrain that boosts their fuel economy to 41 miles per gallon in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway.

The Escape and Mariner hybrids get 34 mpg city/31 mpg highway, compared with 22 mpg/28 mpg for their gasoline-powered versions.