Mazda Tribute Hybrid Preview – 2007 Detroit Auto Show: From a business point, it makes sense: Start with one of your partner’s vehicles, in this case the Ford Escape Hybrid, rework the styling a bit, add your own badges, and introduce yourself to shoppers everywhere as a brand invested in gas/electric technology. Talk about taking the easy way out. With the stylish and turbocharged CX-7 and seven-passenger CX-9 gracing the Mazda stables, one can see little reason to carry on with the Tribute, unless it’s just cheap and easy to rebadge a Ford and, of course, if it lets you tap into the hybrid market. That’s what we’re betting.