Deal with supplier enables Ford to build hybrid vans.

Ford Motor Co. will be the first Detroit automaker to sell hybrid commercial vans in North America, after signing an agreement Thursday with a Toronto-based supplier. Azure Dynamics Corp., a supplier of hybrid gas-electric powertrains for commercial and military vehicles, will build a hybrid system for Ford's E-350 and E-450 commercial chassis by early 2008. Hybrids are a growing segment and Ford trails only Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. in bringing the fuel-efficient vehicles to market.