It's well known that sales of hybrid cars rise and fall in line with gas prices.

In recent months, that's led to lower sales for hybrids as gasoline falls to $2 per gallon or less in many parts of the U.S.

DON'T MISS: Ford Cuts Gas Mileage On 6 Models: What You Need To Know, And Open Questions

To fight back, the 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid will receive price cuts of $900 compared to their 2015 counterparts, according to Cars Direct.

While there are no price cuts to the various models with conventional gasoline engines, the base 2016 Fusion Hybrid S will start at $25,675 (down from $26,575, a 3.39% cut)--though buyers have to add almost $1,000 on top of that for the mandatory destination fee.

Ford Fusion Energi charging.

Ford Fusion Energi charging.

That's a cut of 3.4 percent.

Similarly, the 2016 Fusion Energi SE Luxury model--the lowest trim level for the plug-in hybrid--will start at $33,900 (reduced from $34,800) before destination.

That's a cut of 2.6 percent.

ALSO SEE: 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid: Quick Winter Gas Mileage Test

Changes to the 2016 Fusion hybrid and plug-in hybrid models are minimal.

The most notable is the addition of a new EcoSelect driving mode--with more gradual acceleration and less power devoted to heating and ventilating.

2013 Ford Fusion Energi

2013 Ford Fusion Energi

But Ford will face some new competition for its two Fusion hybrids, now entering their fourth year on the market.

The Fusion Energi faces an all-new five-seat Chevrolet Volt, with an electric range boosted from 38 to 50 miles.

MORE: 2015 Ford Fusion: Smaller EcoBoost Engine, Manual Gearbox Gone

And the conventional Fusion Hybrid faces the prospect of an entirely new fourth-generation Toyota Prius hybrid as well, expected to be unveiled sometime this year as a 2016 model.

Between low gas prices and more competition, Ford faces a pair of challenges to its hybrids--so it's done what every carmaker knows it can do to boost sales: It's cut the price.

2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid

2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid

And Cars Direct expects that dealer incentives will remain at their current level, meaning that buyers will actually benefit from the $900 cost cut.

A mid-cycle refresh for the popular Fusion is expected in a year or so, to be sold as a 2017 model.

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