UPDATE: One Thousand Miles and Counting: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Breaks 1,000 Miles on Single Tank of Gas, Still Racking Up Miles

NASCAR Star Carl Edwards behind the wheel of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid 1,000 Mile Challenge car on Monday 27 April 2009 in Alexandria, VA.

Story Update: The final tally; 1445.7 Miles on a single tank of gas; 81.5 MPG; 69 hours straight driving. Details shortly...congrats Ford!

WASHINGTON DC, April 27, 2009; The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid team has achieved more than 1,000 miles -- over 47 continuous hours -- on a single tank of gas, raising funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

At 9:08 a.m. this morning, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid team hit the 1,000-mile mark on a single tank of gas, and is continuing its ultimate fuel-efficiency challenge with nearly one-third of a tank of fuel remaining.

The 1,000-mile mark was achieved with the Fusion Hybrid 1,000-Mile Challenge team leader and NASCAR driver, Carl Edwards, behind the wheel. Other team members include world-record breaking hypermiler Wayne Gerdes and several Ford hybrid engineers.

The 1,000-Mile Challenge started at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, from Mount Vernon, Va., and is expected to end on Tuesday, April 28 in Washington, D.C.

A regular production version of the Fusion Hybrid -- the most fuel efficient mid-sized sedan in America -- delivered over 80 miles per gallon over the course of 47 hours of continuous driving. The team will continue to drive until the fuel tank is depleted.

The vehicle is being put to the test to demonstrate Ford's commitment to be the best, or amongst the best, in fuel economy in every vehicle segment in which it competes and to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in the process.

As part of the event, the team is conducting clinics for media and customers in the Fusion Hybrid, providing interviews and vehicle demonstrations on how simple techniques can make a significant difference to real world fuel economy numbers. The team also is uploading regular images and video of the challenge to YouTube, Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, and www.media.ford.com.

Mileage-maximizing techniques that the Ford team used and recommend to consumers include:

  --  Slowing down and maintaining even throttle pressure;
  --  Gradually accelerating and smoothly braking;
  --  Maintaining a safe distance between vehicles and anticipating traffic
      conditions;
  --  Coasting up to red lights and stop signs to avoid fuel waste and brake
      wear;
  --  Minimize use of heater and air conditioning to reduce the load on the
      engine;
  --  Close windows at high speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag;
  --  Applying the "Pulse and Glide" technique while maintaining the flow of
      traffic;
  --  Minimize excessive engine workload by using the vehicle's kinetic
      forward motion to climb hills, and use downhill momentum to build
      speed; and

  --  Avoiding bumps and potholes that can reduce momentum

  Click here for more Eco-Driving tips

  Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company , a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 213,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's wholly owned brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.