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Alternative Fuel Ford Taurus

01/96

The 1996 model Taurus Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) is being built in Chicago and it offers drivers the choice of whether to use either ethanol or methanol gasoline mixes for fuel. Although the methanol version of the car has been available for three years, the ethanol version will be going into commercial production for the first time. 400 orders have already been placed.

The ethanol and methanol based fuels for the cars are respectively known as E85 and M85, because they contain 85% ethanol or methanol and 15% gasoline. Both cars will run on unleaded fuel if their special fuel mixtures are not available. E85 and M85 can also be mixed in the cars' fuel tank.

Ethanol or methanol burning vehicles can reduce the emission of hydrocarbons by up to 30 percent, as compared with unleaded gasoline.

In the past three model years, Ford sold about 7,500 flexible fuel Tauruses to government, fleet, and retail customers in the United States and Canada.

Illinois Governor Jim Edgar had this to say: "Production of a new vehicle designed specifically for optimal operation with ethanol is another milestone in efforts to increase the use of this clean, renewable fuel derived from corn. Ford and state government have joined together to invest in the future of Illinois."

Ford offers a $1,165 incentive to prospective buyers. The incentive will offset the incremental cost of the FFV option. Ford expects high consumer demand, and the Chicago Assembly Plant has more than doubled the Taurus FFV capacity levels of previous years.

Paul Dever --- The Auto Channel

source: 1996 North American International Auto Show Press Release