Ford Press Release: Black & Decker and Ford Work for Clean Air

04/26/96

BLACK & DECKER AND FORD TEAM TO CLEAR THE AIR IN NATION'S SMOGGIEST CITIES

NEW YORK, April 22 -- A unique alliance between two of
America's largest corporations, Black & Decker and Ford
Motor Company , will target new, electric technologies to help
clean the air in America's smoggiest cities.

The two companies plan to hold "clean air fairs" in the three cities
which, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have
the dirtiest air in the nation:  Los Angeles - April 13;  Washington
D.C. - April 18; and New York City - April 22.  In each city, Black &
Decker and Ford will highlight new technologies that could be a solution
to the problem of dirty air:  electric-powered lawn mowers and vehicles.

For the first time, the public will get a chance to cut grass with
Black & Decker's new CMM1000, a cordless mulching mower the company is
promoting as the most powerful cordless walk-behind mower on the market.

At the same time, Ford will introduce driveable prototypes of an
electric-powered Ranger built by Transportation Design & Manufacturing,
Inc. (TDM).  The vehicles are part of Ford's electric Qualified Vehicle
Modifier (QVM) program, in which Ford sells gliders -- vehicles without
drive systems -- to qualified conversion companies.  Ford and TDM expect
to put EVs on American roads as soon as this summer.

The goal of the events is to raise consumer awareness about advances
in clean air technologies.  Ford and Black & Decker have designated
parks where consumers can test drive the electric TDM Ranger and Ford's
Ecostar, as well as cut grass with the CMM1000.

The companies hope to communicate that cordless mowers and electric
cars can have a significant impact on the air in U.S. cities.

"We feel seeing is believing," said Susan Amey, Black & Decker
product manager for lawn mowers.  "Once people try the CMM1000 and get a
sense of its power and how much easier it is to use, they'll think twice
about buying a gas mower."

Though Ford and TDM are targeting mainly fleet customers for the EV
Ranger, the two companies feel it is important for consumers to drive
EVs in order to build early market-place acceptance.

"Our goal for the Ranger QVM program is to expand our market
knowledge and help get electric vehicles on the road and into customer
hands today," said Mike McCabe, marketing manager, Ford Electric Vehicle
Programs.  "This vehicle will be the first automaker-developed EV
available for sale this year.  Today's event is a great opportunity for
people to take their first test drive of a real EV."

The two companies will be partnering with Consolidated Edison to
help educate consumers on the infrastructure necessary for widespread
use of EVs and electric mowers.