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Ford Captures 95% of Alternative Fuel Market

8 September 1997

Ford Captures 95% of Alternative Fuel Market

    DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 8 -- Ford Motor Company
dominated the alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) market once again in the 1997
model year, selling more than 95 percent of all AFVs in the U.S.  Ford AFV
sales rose nine percent compared to l996 levels.
    "Ford has shown by far the industry's greatest commitment to alternative
fuel vehicles, despite the enormous challenges involved in developing and
sustaining viable markets for these vehicles," said Bob Rewey, group vice
president of Ford Marketing, Sales and Service.  "We continue to believe that
AFVs can play an important role in the future of the automotive industry."
    In the 1997 model year, Ford sold 10,285 AFVs fueled by natural gas,
propane, ethanol and methanol.  "Our sales figures show we've started to make
some real progress this year in key categories," Rewey added.  "In 1997 many
more of our sales came from new AFV customers -- more local governments,
utilities and companies motivated to be 'greener' in their purchase
decisions."
    Another major difference was in the area of daily rentals.  In 1996
rentals accounted for more than 25 percent of all the company's AFV sales.
Taking the daily rental equation out of the picture, 1997 model year AFV sales
would have soared 43 percent.  There were 2,300 rental sales in 1996 compared
to just 65 this year.
    "Ford has always been serious about its responsibility to the environment
and we intend to make certain to look for ways to make our products even
cleaner and more fuel efficient," said Rewey.  "Alternative fuel vehicles are
an important piece of a much broader environmental effort at Ford, but a piece
that has the potential to result in considerable near-term benefits."
    1997 has been an important year in this area.  "We introduced two
dedicated natural gas trucks that have extremely low tailpipe emissions,
introduced a taxicab version of our dedicated natural gas Crown Victoria in
New York City, developed a special sales team dedicated solely to the
California market, strengthened key partnerships with utilities and other
stakeholders, and announced our plans to establish AFV leadership in several
key European markets," said Rewey.
    In 1998, Ford will continue to produce the industry's broadest range of
AFVs, offering 11 products fueled by natural gas, propane, ethanol, methanol
or electricity.  In the 1998 model year, the company will offer two new
natural gas and two new propane bi-fuel vehicles.  Also, production of the
1998 Ranger Electric Vehicle will begin in late December 1997.

    1998 Ford AFV Model Year Lineup

    * Bi-fuel Natural Gas F-Series pickup
    * Dedicated Natural Gas F-Series pickup
    * Bi-fuel Propane F-Series pickup
    * Bi-fuel Natural Gas Econoline van/Club Wagon
    * Dedicated Natural Gas Econoline van/Club Wagon
    * Bi-fuel Propane Econoline van/Club Wagon
    * Bi-fuel Natural Gas Contour sedan
    * Dedicated Natural Gas Crown Victoria sedan
    * Taurus E-85 Flexible Fuel Vehicle
    * Taurus M-85 Flexible Fuel Vehicle
    * Ranger Electric Vehicle

    For further information on purchasing any of Ford's AFVs call
800-ALTFUEL.

SOURCE  Ford Motor Company