Ford to Present Escape Hybrid Taxi Case Study to City of Austin

WHAT: Ford Motor Company will present a case study on the successful use of Escape Hybrid taxis to Mayor Wynn and representatives from the City of Austin, Austin Energy and local commercial fleet managers, to raise awareness of the environmental and economic benefits of an Escape Hybrid. Cities across the country, including San Francisco, New York, and Chicago are successfully turning to hybrid-electric vehicles to meet their clean air goals and reduce fuel costs - from taxicabs to municipal fleet vehicles.

  WHERE:  Ford Escape Hybrid Taxi Presentation:  Wednesday, August 9
          Austin City Hall, 301 West Second Street

  10:30 a.m.    Media and Guest Arrival
  11:00 a.m.    Hybrid Taxi Technology Clinic Begins
  11:30 a.m.    Q&A and Ford Escape Hybrid Ride-and-Drive Opportunities

SUMMARY: The consumer and municipal benefits of the Escape Hybrid are illustrated by the success of taxis in New York and San Francisco. The Escape Hybrid offers uncompromised cargo and passenger volume, and has proven very reliable and efficient. Some cabs have accumulated more than 150,000 miles of severe use with no major mechanical problems, and taxi drivers are saving up to $30 per shift on fuel.

For cities, that fuel savings is the equivalent of 32,000 pounds of CO2 emissions over a year, or 100,000 miles. This savings could make hybrid- electric technology well-suited to Mayor Wynn's goal of making Austin the "Clean Energy Capitol of the World."

Ford Motor Company has a similar commitment to offering increasingly sustainable transportation offerings. The Ford Escape Hybrid was the first hybrid-electric SUV, and remains the most-fuel efficient SUV on the market. Ford also continues to research future technology, including plug-in hybrids, biofuels, and hydrogen powered vehicles.

To attend the Hybrid Technology Clinic, please contact Monte Doran at 313-317-7810, or mdoran8@ford.com.