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.](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/ford-fusion-energi-charging_100440553_l.jpg)
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.
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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](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2013-ford-fusion-energi_100376413_l.jpg)
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](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2015-ford-fusion-hybrid_100473199_l.jpg)
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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